In the Land of the Lion and Sun

From 1866 to 1881, English physician C. J. Wills traveled extensively through Iran while serving in the Indo-European Telegraph Department. With a keen eye for observation, Wills produced a vivid and intimate account of Qajar-era Iran-rich in detail about daily life, popular customs and beliefs, arts and crafts, and the health and communication systems that lay at the heart of his professional expertise.

First published in the late nineteenth century, In the Land of the Lion and Sun offers an unparalleled window into the social and cultural fabric of Iran at a time of profound transformation. As the second volume in Mage's Persia Observed series, this edition sheds new light not only on a complex historical period, but also on the attitudes, curiosities, and prejudices of the European travelers who documented it.

This new edition includes a critical introduction by historian Abbas Amanat, who situates Wills' career and writings within the broader context of British-Iranian relations and provides a nuanced assessment of his perspective on Qajar Iran.