Qarasavaran and Inefficiency in Security Arrangement of Roads and Routes in Qajar Era

Iran is considered to be a wide land with numerous cities and roads. Throughout history, Iranian rulers have endeavored to maintain their control and dominance over the roads and routes in this country. Such purpose required a regular and standing army in order to control all affairs. Generally, from Safavid era, Iran security arrangement of roads and routes against thieves and bandits was completed by local soldiers i.e. Qarasavaran. In Qajar era, Qarasavaran were regarded to fulfil their task like before. They were selected among nomads and indigenous people to protect the security of perilous roads and routes. However, not only they were deprived of having enough rations and military uniform but also they were considered to be in lower position compared to army soldiers. All these reasons led to the incompetence of such influential groups in security arrangement of roads and routes and subsequently, had effect on Iran economic underdevelopment in Qajar era. This study investigates the performance of Qarasavaran and the reasons of their inefficiency in security arrangement of roads and routes in Qajar era.