Fars’s Bureaucratic System during the Afsharid Period (Revival and Reform)

Throughout history, Fars province has always had a dramatic impact on Iran’s political and diplomatic structure, and when it has gone through a change, other Iranian states have been affected by it. During the reign of Nader Shah, the state saw a change in the structure of its bureaucracy which later affected other states. The main questions are why Nadir Shah brought about these changes, what positions were important during this period and what their function was, and why these changes did not make Fars stable. To answer these questions the article adopts an analytical method based on less well-known documents. It argues that Nader Shah’s goal, like other political actors, was exercising power in the best manner possible on the community. He tried to increase the political and economic influence of his government in Fars by restoring and reforming his office. Many of these reforms failed because of regional competition and the presence of influential local political activists.