The Process of Midwifery Licensing in Qajar Iran (1851-1925 AD)
Tārīkh-i pizishkī i.e., Medical History,
Vol. 18 (1405),
4 April 2026
,
Page 1-18
https://doi.org/10.22037/mhj.v18i.46044
Abstract
Background and Aim: In the process of medical modernization in Iran, the profession of midwifery-which was directly linked to women’s health and the government’s population policies-gradually came under state supervision and regulation. Following the enactment of the Medical Practice Law in 1911 and the establishment of institutions such as Dar al-Wiladah, Dar al-Ummahat and Dar al-Muallimat, midwives were required to complete formal training and obtain official licenses. This study examines the process and necessity of issuing midwifery licenses between 1851 and 1925 to demonstrate how governmental oversight and structured education contributed to the institutionalization of midwives within the healthcare system and the improvement of women’s health indicators.
Methods: This study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology, consistent with the documentary nature of the research.
Ethical Considerations: This research has observed all ethical requirements, including honesty, proper attribution and textual authenticity.
Results: Previous studies have examined midwifery during the Qajar era, yet none have specifically addressed the licensing process and its historical development. In the late Qajar period, stagnant population growth and high infant/maternal mortality rates prompted a series of reforms to improve public health conditions. These included the enactment of the Medical Practice Act and the establishment of healthcare institutions with regulatory oversight. Within this framework, midwifery-as a profession directly tied to maternal and neonatal health-became subject to state supervision. Following competency assessments and standardized training, formal licenses were issued to qualified midwives.
Conclusion: A review of these documents reveals that a consistent and regulated process existed for issuing licenses for midwifery, which played a significant role in establishing the professional status of midwives and reducing mortality rates.
- Iran
- Qajar
- Midwifery
- License
- Medical
How to Cite
References
1. Malekzadeh E. The Evolution of Midwifery Profession in the Qajar and Pahlavi Eras. Tehran: Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies; 2015. p.46-48. [Persian]
2. Roustaei M. Medicine and Medical Practice in Iran. Tehran: National Library and Archives of Iran; 2003. Vol.1 p.234. [Persian]
3. Karimian A. The Establishment of Midwifery School: The First Step in Midwifery Education in Iran (1916-1928). Sarem J. 2018; 3(2). 113. [Persian]
4. Ebrahim Nejad H. Medicin in Iran. Translated by Karimi M. Tehran: Shirazeh Publications; 2022. p.239. [Persian]
5. Kashani-Sabet F. Conceiving Citizens: Women and the Politics of Motherhood in Iran. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2011. p.36.
6. Tashid AA. Eternal Gift or the Life of Dr. Amir A'lam. Tehran: Journal of Islamic History; 1961. p.5-94. [Persian]
7. Khansari AJ. Kolthoum Naneh. Edited by Asadi B. Tehran: Morvarid Publications; 1976. p.9. [Persian]
8. Adib al-Hokama S. Tadbir al-Hawamel. Lithograph edition. 1894. p.2. [Persian]
9. Aqili M. A Commentary on Khulasat al-Hikmah. Edited by Malek M. Tehran: Hil Publications; 2011. p.39-40. [Persian]
10. Alam-e Nesvan Newspaper. 1962; 10(6): 283. [Persian]
11. Koushki F. Traditional Medicine in Iran: Sabzevar. Tehran: Manshour Samir; 2016. p.119. [Persian]
12. E'temad al-Saltaneh MH. Matla' al-Shams. Lithograph edition. Vol.2 p. 237. [Persian]
13. Shokufeh Newspaper. 1913; 1(12); 3(12). [Persian]
14. Karimian A. A Review of the History of Women's Hospitals in Iran. Sarem Med Res J. 2016; 2(2): 120. [Persian]
15. Floor W. Hospitals in Iran during the Safavid and Qajar Periods. Translated by Nabipour I. Bushehr: University of Medical Sciences; 2014. p.36. [Persian]
16. Hunke S. Islamic Culture in Europe. Translated by Rahbani M. Tehran: Islamic Culture Publications; 1982. Vol.2 p.72-74. [Persian]
17. Rashid al-Din Fazlullah Hamadani. Waqfnameh of Rab'-e Rashidi. Edited by Minovi M & Afshar I. Tehran: National Monuments Society; 1977. p.146. [Persian]
18. Tajbakhsh H. History of Hospitals in Iran. Tehran: Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies; 2000. p.331. [Persian]
19. Zaydan J. History of Islamic Civilization. Translated by Javaherkalam A. Tehran: Amir Kabir Publications; 1993. p.603. [Persian]
20. Shahri J. Old Tehran. Tehran: Mo'in Publications; 1997. Vol.2 p.274. [Persian]
21. Benjamin S. Iran and the Iranians. Translated by Kordbacheh MH. Tehran: Javidan Publications; 1984. p.179. [Persian]
22. Adamiyat F. Amir Kabir and Iran. Tehran: Kharazmi Publications; 1982. p.335. [Persian]
23. Mehrabani V. Illustrated History of Medicine. Tehran: Safir Ardehal; 2014. Vol.9 p.4634. [Persian]
24. E'temad al-Saltaneh MH. Mir'at al-Buldan. Edited by Nava'I A. Tehran: University of Tehran; 1988. Vol.2 p.1327. [Persian]
25. Amiri Z. Life, Works, and Historical Methodology of Aliqoli Mirza E'temad al-Saltaneh. Maragheh: Farhang Bonyan; 2018. p.167. [Persian]
26. Taher Ahmadi M. Sepahsalar's Reforms. Ganjineh-ye Asnad. 2005; 15(60): 17. [Persian]
27. Doulat Aliyeh Iran Newspaper. 1900; No.541. [Persian]
28. Sa'adat E. History of Medical Progress in the Last Seventy Years. No Place: No Name; 1991. p.50-52. [Persian]
29. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015061-0004.
30. Dremps M. Principles of Modern Midwifery Hygiene. Translated by Mazhab al-Saltaneh. Tehran: No Name; 1920-1921. [Persian]
31. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015027.
32. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-035229-0002.
33. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015061-0012.
34. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015033-0005.
35. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015033-0006.
36. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015033-0007.
37. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015033-0011.
38. Katiraei M. From Adobe to Adobe. Tehran: Sales; 1999. [Persian]
39. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-017632-0001.
40. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-017632-0002.
41. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-017632-0003.
42. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015061-0090.
43. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015061-0022.
44. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015061-0020.
45. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015061-0018.
46. The Document Center and the National Library Archive. Document No.297-015062-0004.
47. The Document Center and the National Library
- Abstract Viewed: 41 times
- pdf Downloaded: 46 times