shashtar

{{Short description|Musical instrument}}

{{Infobox Instrument

|name= Shashtar

|names= Sheshtar, Shashtay, Şeştar, Sheshtay

|image= Shashtar_crop.jpg

|image_capt= 6-stringed Şeştar shown in mural in Chehel Sotoun.

|background= string

|classification= String instrument

|hornbostel_sachs=

|hornbostel_sachs_desc= Composite chordophone

|developed= Ancient Persia or Central Asia

|range=

|related=

|articles=

}}

The Shashtar, Sheshtar or Shashtay (probably from Persian Şaş-tar or Şeş-tar, {{lang|fa|ششتار or شش‌تار}}, {{lit.|six-string', 'having six strings}}) is a stringed musical instrument of the lute family. It was mentioned historically by Evliya Çelebi and Abd al-Qadir Maraghi.Chabrier, Jean-Claude (2008). "ʿŪd". Encyclopedia of Islam: 534. "The ḳabūs (al-Ḥid̲j̲āz), ḳabbūṣ (ʿUmān), ḳanbūṣ (Ḥaḍramawt), ḳupūz or ḳūpūz (Turkey) is a very old instrument. Evliyā Čelebi [q.v.] says that the ḳūpūz was invented by a vizier of Meḥemmed II (d. 886/1481) named Aḥmed Pas̲h̲a Hersek Og̲h̲lu. He describes it as being a hollow instrument, smaller than the shashtār, and mounted with three strings (Travels, i/2, 235). On the other hand, Ibn G̲h̲aybī says that the ḳūpūz rūmī had five double strings. The instrument is no longer used by the Turks, although it has survived under the name of kobza, koboz, in Poland, Russia, and the Balkans, but here it is the lute proper and not a barbaṭ type"{{cite web|url=http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/54_folder/54_articles/54_instruments.html |title=5.4 - Piecing Together History, String By String - The Reconstruction of Azerbaijan's Medieval Instruments |publisher=Azer.com |date= |accessdate=2020-01-19}} It is or was played in Iran/Persia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and elsewhere.{{cite web|url=http://belly-dance.org/music.php |title=Pharaonic, tribal style, middle eastern, rai and arabic-oriental bellydance music, free mp3 |publisher=Belly-dance.org |date= |accessdate=2020-01-19}}{{cite web|author=Menù |url=http://www.salvoraodj.it/ |title=Welcome |publisher=www.salvoraodj.it |date= |accessdate=2020-01-19}}{{cite web|author=Rudyard Kipling |url=https://www.afghan-web.com/culture/musical-instruments/ |title=Traditional Instruments Used In Afghanistan |publisher=Afghan-web.com |date=2018-03-12 |accessdate=2020-01-19}}{{cite web|url=https://afghanmagazine.com/post/186134562294/ancient-musical-instruments-of-afghanistan |title=Ancient Musical Instruments of Afghanistan |publisher=AfghanMagazine |date=1929-01-14 |accessdate=2020-01-19}}{{cite web|url=http://irs-az.com/new/pdf/201109/1316780982469887428.pdf |title=Data |publisher=irs-az.com |date= |accessdate=2020-01-19}} It may have been developed during the Safavid dynasty from the tambur.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetourexpert.com/countries/iran-information-guide/iranian-music |title=Iranian Music |publisher=The Tour Expert |date= |accessdate=2020-01-19}}{{cite web|url=https://www.texasazerbaijanis.com/azerbaijan/music-of-azerbaijan/musical-instruments-azerbaijan/ |title=Musical Instruments of Azerbaijan – Texas Azerbaijanis {{pipe}} News Blog |publisher=Texasazerbaijanis.com |date= |accessdate=2020-01-19}} Like the tambur, it has a floating bridge and a wooden soundboard (not skin like the rubab etc). The 6 gut strings were in 3 double courses, and thus it may be a forerunner of the Tar.{{Cite web| title=Culture of Azerbaijan | url=http://files.preslib.az/projects/azerbaijan/eng/gl5.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106175842/http://files.preslib.az:80/projects/azerbaijan/eng/gl5.pdf | archive-date=2015-11-06}}https://shahnameh.netlify.com/shashtar.htm The Shahnameh Guide To The Lutes Of Central Asia