Shashtar

The Shashtar, Sheshtar or Shashtay (probably from Persian Şaş-tar or Şeş-tar, 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.^[1][2] It is or was played in Iran/Persia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and elsewhere.^{[3][4][5][6][7]} It may have been developed during the Safavid dynasty from the tambur.^[8][9] 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.^[10][11]

Shashtar

6-stringed Şeştar shown in mural in Chehel Sotoun.
String instrument
Other names	Sheshtar, Shashtay, Şeştar, Sheshtay
Classification	String instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	(Composite chordophone)
Developed	Ancient Persia or Central Asia