Iranian Studies

Abstract In various historical periods, the peninsula of Bushehr has facilitated maritime communications in the middle of the northern coast of the Persian Gulf through important ports such as Lian, Rishehr, and Bushehr. However, from the sixth to the eighth century AH, it seems that this role transferred to the new port of Khurshif located within cape Shif. The present research studies the creation, operations, and decline of this port. It demonstrates that, during the sixth century, Khurshif was created due to its geographical position; that is because it was convenient to Shiraz, Kazeroon, and the Persian Gulf. Then, during the seventh and early eighth century, it played important roles in the connection between Fars and southern Iraq, the defense of the Kish Island, and the expansion of the Murshadi path. Finally, it deteriorated due to insecurity in the southern regions of the country and the shift of the centrality of the Persian Gulf sea power to New Hormuz (Jerun). The findings highlight the geographical importance of the cape Shif and illuminate a part of the history of marine activities around the peninsula of Bushehr during the Middle Ages of Iran.

Abstract The city of Sarpol-e Zahab, based on the historical texts and its numerous and famous ancient monuments, has a long history. The existence of the two important rock reliefs, Annubanini, and Iddi(n)-Sîn on a rock at the center of the city, indicates that the place was under the control of the Zagros tribes of Lullubi and Simurrum during the late 3rd and early 2nd millenniums BC. Since then, during the Median, Achaemenid, Parthian, Sassanid, and the Islamic periods, the city has maintained its importance and has repeatedly experienced interval periods of flourish, and decay. This paper discusses the ancient settlements located in Sarpol-e Zahab, some historical features of this region, and the evolution of the toponyms related to it. It can be concluded that from the beginning of the second millennium BC to the Islamic era, the name of the mentioned location has appeared in Akkadian, Greek, Arabic, and Persian texts in various recordings, yet close to one another (Khalmān,Almān, Armān, Halmān, Khalā and Halvān). Also, the analysis of the texts and some names related to the old city shows that in the past, as well as the present, the city has held a significant ethnic-religious diversity.

Abstract Maelstroms are powerful and violent whirlpools in the sea, sucking in objects such as ships within a given radius. Not only most of the geographers mentioned the maelstroms, but also cartographers mapped them, to protect sailors from being drawn into them. One of the most recognized maelstroms in the Persian Gulf is Fam al-asad or Kām-e šīr, which means the mouth of lion. Kām-e šīr or Dahān-e šīr, which is used frequently in ancient poetry and prose, is sometimes referred to as Fam al-asad. It seems that merely the surface meaning of "Kām-e šīr" (the mouth of lion) is focused on in interpretations; hence, the accurate understanding of these expressions can alter the interpretation of the texts and maps. The present paper describes the name of Fam al-asad or Kām-e šīr and other maelstroms in the old texts, and analyses the history of them with the help of some instances.

Abstract Dargazin was one of the politically and culturally significant regions of Iran in the past, and its historical monuments and mounds shows the importance of this area. Why was Dargazin important in the post-Islamic era and what was the role of the routes in the formation of settlements and the cultural development of this region? To answer these questions, the present article looks for the historical background of the routes, and its role in the expansion of the settlements, and the cultural growth of Dargazin in the post-Islamic era. The geographic location of Dargazin (being on the side of the main roads), having fertile and flat lands, and being at the skirts of the Kharaqan mountains (which is a geopolitical advantage), developed this area, as a transit point for commercial caravans and the residence of several groups of people. At the present time, Dargazin locates on the side of the roads to Zanjan, Markazi, and Qazvin provinces, and in the past, the two main branches of the Silk Road surrounded it from east and west. The study shows that most of the habitats of this area have been located along these routes.

Abstract Maqdisi in Ahsan al-Taqasim fi Maʻrefat Al-Aqalim offers new definitions for Mesr, Qasabe, Madine, and Qarye, and relates the life of each unit to the others, regarding their roles and functions. Illustrating their connection with each other, he resembles these geographical units to the kings, the hajeban (orderlies), the aswaran (heavy cavalry) and the infantrymen. By properly using these similes, he tries to picture the logical connection between these various units and the level of their relationship with the central political power. In this article, first, Maqdisi’s view on the units of Mesr, Qasabe, Madine, and Qarye is explained, then, the development and transformation of Dar al-Molk-e Bardsir (current Kerman city) during the Qara khitai era and the role of the political power in this development are described. This study shows that Bardsir's development in the Qara khitai era followed a meaningful pattern. Understanding this indigenous pattern can aid the researchers to analyze other central cities of Iran or the Islamic world.

Abstract This article is concerned with a comparative review of Jahân-Nâme   by Mohammad bin Najib Bakran and manuscripts of Masâlek va Mamâlek by Abu al-Hasan Sâʽid bin Ali Jurjâni written by during the middle of ninth century AH. From this review it becomes clear that Jorjâniʼs main source in writing his book was Jahân-Nâme and therefore Jahân-Nâme is also a good source for editing the Masâlek.  However, the manuscripts of his Masâlek at our hand are by far more than the manuscripts of Jahân-Nâme, and this help us to correct some of errors  occurred in editing of  Jahân-Nâme.  

Abstract The round city of Ardeshir Khwarah, with its concentric layout, can be considered as the first city which established by the founder of the Sasanian dynasty as a symbol of the Sasanian royal ideology. Ardeshir Khwarah plays a key role in establishment of Sasanian sovereignty and urban planning. However, a little is known about the history of the city. It seems even stranger if we consider the reports of the early Islamic geographers and historians, recording that the city was flourishing until 5th century A.H. Now lots of questions can be posed about the city. What kind of information can be extracted from historical written sources concerning the reason and process of formation, thriving and abandonment of the city? In other word, how the city has changed during the transitional period from Sasanian to Islamic period? Based on the historical sources, the present paper deals with the historical identity of the city and its spatial order and functional characters.

Abstract An Examination of historical text and archaeological data show that Mehrjanqadhaq was one of the important states of western Iran which had been founded and formed in a region now known as Darreshsher or more exactly in Saimara valley. The history of the state goes back to Parthian era. Archaeological data in confirmation of historical texts both indicate settlement sequence form Parthian era to fourth century A.H. in Saimara valley and show that this region flourished especially at third and fourth century A.H. Ceramic samples, which discovered in the course of archaeological excavations, chronologically, do not go forward then fourth century A.H. Therefore, we can say that Merhrjanqadhaq was deserted at fourth century A.H, which is also confirmed with historical records, which point to earthquake and flood occurrence as well as cholera epidemy at this century. On the other hand, the same historical and archaeological data and the situations and extent of ancient Darreshahr suggest that this site is the same as Saimara city, center of Mehrjanqadhaq state.

Abstract The cities of Jay in pre-Islamic and Yahudiya in the post Islamic period were located in a plain delimited from three sides by surrounding heights. This area, referred to in historical and geographical documents as the Rostāq-i Jay, was the most important rural district of Isfahan's khora. With rising of Buyids, they decided to change the seat of power from Jay to Yahudiya and consequently the construction of the city wall. Given the complete destruction of both city^,s wall, the only data available on their location are limited to the texts and few archaeological traces. Therefore, while analyzing the reasons for change of hub in Isfahan from Jay to Yahudiya, the article tries to determine the location of walls of Jay and Yahudiya in Jay district on the basis of geographical and historical texts, archeological evidence, old maps and satellite photos, and traces them on the current city^,s map.