Introduction
A review of the political and social structure of Iran since ancient times reveals that giving titles was a common practice in various dynasties and continued after the advent of Islam. In different periods, kings often gave titles on individuals based on merit and relationships, primarily to consolidate their power and political authority. Based on historical documents and studies, the granting of titles became particularly widespread during the Qajar period (Vafaei & Firoozbakhsh, 2017, pp. 50, 71). In fact, understanding the key figures of Iran during the Qajar era is nearly impossible without the knowledge of the titles and honorifics prevalent at the time. The administrative structure of the Astan Quds, which was established during the Safavid era, expanded significantly during the Qajar period. Influenced by the government and especially the royal court, this institution developed various positions, each associated with specific titles, shaped by a range of factors. This study seeks to address the following questions:

What factors were instrumental in identifying and classifying the titles of the Qajar period within the administrative structure of Astan Quds?
What is the relationship between the granting of titles and the occupational and social status of individuals within the administrative framework of Astan Quds?

Research Methodology
In this study, an attempt was made to extract and organize thematic data into tables and charts using a descriptive-analytical method. Relying on documents from the Khorasan region and the administrative records of Astan Quds Razavi, the research aims to offer new insights into the identification and classification of titles—ranging from religious, military, and hereditary titles to governmental titles—within the organizational structure of Astan Quds during the Qajar period.
Findings
Most government officials during the Qajar period held titles, which they took pride in, as these titles were granted by royal decree, even though they often did not have stable jobs or regular salaries (D’Allemagne, 1956, p. 29). The administrative structure of Astan Quds during this time, influenced by the royal court, developed various positions, each associated with specific titles. A total of 1,374 titles have been identified from Astan Quds documents, with approximately 200 mentioned in Karim Soleimani’s Book of Titles, while the rest were found solely in Astan Quds records. Among the positions at Astan Quds, the administrator (i.e., Mutawalli) was responsible for managing endowments and overseeing internal security at the shrine (Naghdi, 2020, p. 372). After the administrator, the vice-regent of the custodian (i.e., Naib al-Tawliya) held the highest position in the administrative structure (Souzanchi, 2006, p. 11). Other important positions included those associated with the guards (i.e., Kashiks), who managed the shrine’s operations (Naghdi, 2020, pp. 136-137). Additional key roles within the guards included chief of servants (i.e., Khadem-bashi), chief of the mat-spreaders (i.e., Farash-bashi), chief of the doorkeepers (i.e., Darban-bashi), chief caller to prayer (i.e., Moazen-bashi), chief caretaker of footwear (i.e., Kafash-bashi). The titles held by these individuals can be categorized into three groups: religious titles, governmental and political titles and military titles.
Figure 1. Percentage of suffixes used in the titles
Discussion and Conclusion
The study showed that titles in Astan Quds were highly diverse, with the most frequent being “Etemad al-Tawliya” and similar titles with the “-al-Tawliya” suffix. One notable feature in the documents is the creative use of the “-al-Tawliya” suffix in title formation. The competition for these specific titles, due to their prestigious status in Astan Quds and the associated rewards, led to their widespread use. Another notable finding is the hereditary nature of some titles, which were at times passed down through families, either along with the associated job or solely as titles. Titles were also frequently granted in conjunction with a specific job, although at times, the title did not correlate with the position. The positions most commonly associated with titles were the shrine’s servants across five Kashiks, with the fourth Kashik having the highest number of titles. Most titles were granted through royal decrees or by the Mutawallis of Astan Quds, who often also held the governorship of Khorasan. Titles were only formalized and given official status once they were registered through such decrees. In conclusion, there is not necessarily a meaningful connection between the diverse titles and the administrative roles within the Astan Quds.