The Study of the Zoroastrian History Based on the Documents Found in the Pooladi’s Collection (Qajar and Pahlavi Dynasties)

In the present study, after introducing the Zoroastrian neighborhood as the most important cultural center of the Zoroastrians in Iran, some of the documents kept in the Yazd Museum of Documents and Manuscripts (Pooladi’s Collection) are examined. The Zoroastrian neighborhood is one of the most important historical neighborhoods in Yazd. It is considered as the most important archive of the Zoroastrian manuscripts and documents in Iran. During the recent years, many documents and Avestan manuscripts were discovered in the neighborhood. One of such discoveries is the discovery of Poolad’s Collection in 2016 in the house of Arbab Mehraban Poolad. This collection contains a number of Avestan manuscripts as well as thousands of commercial, religious and personal letters, and documents and contracts from 1832-1936. The date of some of these documents goes back to the time of Poolad Tirandaz, Mehraban’s father. These documents were all kept in the basement of Mehraban’s house away from the sight of the inhabitants and were discovered accidentally by Mehraban’s grandson who is named after him. The importance and value of these documents were determined after a careful and scientific investigation done by some university professors, and efforts were made to exhibit these documents in the Museum of Documents and Manuscripts. This collection includes some Avestan manuscripts. The oldest dated Avestan manuscript in this collection is from 1645 AD. This collection also includes thousands of letters and documents most of which are legal contracts, business letters, settlements of disputes, family letters, and the letters related to the social issues. The content of these documents can clearly show the important and positive role of the Zoroastrians in the commercial, political, and economic affairs of Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties. Arbab Mehraban Poolad is one of such influential people in the Zoroastrian community who, in addition to his vast commercial activities in different cities such as Yazd, Shiraz, Ahwaz and Borujerd, and other countries like India, England and Iraq, had an influential role in the Zoroastrian community such as the membership of Naseri Council, and the foundation of Zoroastrian Waqfi Garden in Shiraz.