مهدی علیجانی

Due to the increasing attention of Muslims to the science of geography in the third century (AH), the writing of works in this field increased; Among them is the book "Mokhtasar Al-Boldan" by Ibn Wazih Ya'qubi, an Iranian Shiite historian and geographer. In addition to general historiography, he is one of the pioneers of geography writing. In this research, an attempt is made to analyze the Ya'qubi geography writing in this book using a historical method and a descriptive-analytical approach. Some determining criteria such as typology, method and characteristics of geography are also examined. According to the findings, he is a follower of the Iraqi school, and his book is typologically closer to economic and human geography due to its focus on "tribute and race". At the same time, it has followed the Iranian geographical style by observing the requirements of the Iraqi school. Characteristics of Ya'qubi geography writing also include not bringing maps, rationalism, avoiding miracles and not interfering with his religious attitude (Imami Shiism) in geography. In terms of information sources, he relies on his observations and hearings and is one of the pioneers in this field.

Pearls are among the most valuable jewelry that have long been caught in the Persian Gulf and exported to all parts of the world. The quality of Persian Gulf pearls made many customers in the world want it.In the present study, an attempt is made to answer the question using the historical method and descriptive-analytical approach: what is the reflection of the situation of pearl fishing and sale in the Persian Gulf in the geographical texts of the third to eighth centuries AH? In fact, based on the data of the mentioned texts, what were the reasons for its prosperity or recession?In this research, the nature and origin of pearls, areas and time of fishing, methods and tools of fishing and its extraction, as well as types, prices, sales and trade of pearls in the Persian Gulf at this time have been investigated. These sources have reported the variety of methods and prosperity of pearl fishing and sale on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

Among the writing of numerous works in the field of descriptive geography in the third century AH, the kitāb al- Buldān was written by Ibn Faqīh Hamadānī at the end of this century. Ibn Faqīh belonged to the Iraqi school of Islamic geography. He begins his book with a description of Mecca as the center of the world. Paying attention to the geographical writing style of Greek and Iranian geographers, the book based on regions, not using the map, writing of the wonders and the richness of patriotic identity elements are some of his geographical writing features. In terms of geographical typology, the “kitāb al- Buldān” is closer to economic and human geography. Another importance of the book is that it clarifies the complexity of some historical and cultural concepts of Iran. Due to the lack of travelling and observations, Ibn Faqīh relies on the written and audio sources. This research tries to investigate his school and geographical method by a historical method and descriptive-analytical approach.

This research analyzes the geographical writing method, geographical features, and methodological school of two Iranian geographers (Ibn Khordadbeh and Istakhri) based on library studies and historical methods with a descriptive-analytical approach.
 Findings show that Ibn Khordadbeh, is a follower of the Iraqi school,  according to the global and Iranshahri approach in geography writing, using the Iranian geographical method, features such as not using the map, report of wonders, exceptional attention to patriotic identity, non-interference of religious attitude to geography writing.
 But Istakhri follows the Balkhi school due to his involvement of religious insights in geography and disregard for the geography of non-Islamic lands, choosing the method of 20 climates (areas) and also features such as using the map, avoidance From the writing of wonders, paying particular attention to religious identity versus patriotic identity. Although Istakhri had access to Ibn Khordadbeh's book, he most likely did not use it.

Studies of women and their issues have always been important in history. According to the historical exclusion of women in different times, lack of research sources in this area is quite tangible. This applies particularly in the examination and treatment of women diseases that is directly related to the "body" of women. This paper examines this issue in the Qajar era, especially the second half due to the simultaneous use of both traditional and new medical doctrine, is a milestone in medical history in Iran. The method of research is librarical and is done by studing available sources in Qajar specially Physicians and Western travelers’ itinerary who traveled to Iran in that age and it tries to clear part of the dark corners of Iranian medicine. The results of this study shows that medical examination in female patients in Qajar era was in narrow mode and Treatment of common women diseases was possible based on traditional medicine. This is a small step in elucidate of medical status of women during the Qajar era that is an innovative in its kind and it is important both in terms of social and medical history of Iran and can be a precursor for larger studies in both field.