نشریه مطالعات ایرانشناسی
پیاپی 12 (بهار 1398)

The social structure of Iran during the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to the Persian Constitutional Revolution. It could also be the product of Iranians’ relationships with Europeans, which were not in great conformity with Iranian cultural and social values and characteristics. Following the library method, this paper is intended to investigate the reasons behind the occurrence of the Constitutional Revolution in Iran through an analysis of Iran’s social structure during the mentioned period. It also aims to specify which features of Iran’s social structure led to the Revolution, the rise of Reza Shah Pahlavi, and the downfall of the Constitutional Revolution.

The area of Shahr-e Sukhteh is one of the widest and most important settlements of the Bronze Age in Iran which played a significant role in enhancing the cultural interactions, commercial exchanges, and regional relationships in 3000 BC. The conducted archeological excavations at this site have yielded several artifacts such as ceramic and stonewares; seals and their impressions; decorative beads; cloth; jewelry; metal objects; mud, ceramic, and stone figures; wooden and wicker objects, and weaving tools. A careful study of the recovered objects and their comparison with those recovered at other contemporary ancient sites clearly demonstrates that this city had some direct or indirect cultural relationships with its neighboring regions from Indus Valley to Mesopotamia and from Persian Gulf regions to Central Asia. The present study was conducted to explore the extent of such cultural relationships in order to discover the process of cultural trends ofthat time through examining some of the recovered samples of this site and comparing them with some items found in other sites in the proximity of Shahr-e Sukhte in the same period. The findings of this study indicate that this settlement had established most of its cultural interactions and relationships with its northern (Baluchestan and Sistan) and western neighbors. As a permanent base, Shahr-e Sukhteh functioned as the center of different interactions with its neighbors in the east (Indus Valley, Baluchestan, and Helmand Valley), south (Turkmenistan), and the west (Iran and Mesopotamia). It also mediated in the process of importing Lapis Lazuli from Badakhshan and then exporting it to the West and Mesopotamian regions.

Religious sites, particularly imamzadehs (shrine-tombs of the descendants of Imams) and holy mausoleums, have always been among the most stable religious centers of Shi’ites. Such places have continually attracted the attention of the lovers of the offspring of the Infallible Imams (a) in different periods at varying levels of intensity since the rise of Islam. Presently, imamzadehs are not merely considered to be some sacred shrines visited by pilgrims and religious centers; rather, their history, identity, and locations provide plenty of information. In fact, such places function as the cradle of various political and cultural changes in the contemporary period. This case study focuses on Imamzadeh Hassan in Karaj. Following an Iranological approach, the researcher has explored the location of this mausoleum, the identity of its owner, its history, the present architecture of this structure and the structures added to it, as well as its pilgrims and the oblations it receives, the people buried there, its founders, the artists who decorated it, and its custodians. This research was conducted based on a descriptive-analytic design, and the required data were collected through field studies and oral interviews as well as through benefitting from library sources and documents.

As an important part of human life, education has always attracted the attention of researchers. Presently, different educational philosophies and theories provide the foundation for the educational systems of various countries in the world. Similarly, different authors have discussed the issue of children’s education in numerous books in the course of history and offered their practical views in this regard. Most educational books in the past emphasized that education could be accomplished based on three principles: memorization, repetition, and punishment. However, the most important questions here are what the roots of these principles are, what the main sources supporting these principles are, and how this approach to education is evaluated based on modern educational theories, particularly from the viewpoint of pragmatism. Accordingly, following a descriptive-library method, this study was conducted to explore the book of Anīs al-nās, as one of the representatives of this approach during the Timurid Period.

A study of the history and geographical status of Qiz Qalasi based on the existing documents and myths demonstrates that this historical site is of particular significance in Azerbaijan. Because of its location and geographical situation, Qiz Qalasi links this country to some of its neighboring countries. Moreover, it is presently considered to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction. This tower is differently described as a military or religious base and a temple, and there are certain myths in this regard. Following a historical research method and benefitting from field studies, the researcher has investigated the significance of this tower, its strategic status, and the related myths and stories, some of which pertain to the history of Iran and Azerbaijan.

Based on the political culture of Iran during the Sassanid Period, the existing order in society is an example of heavenly order, and the King and other social classes are responsible for the establishment of order in society. However, the occurrence of Mazdak’s social movement in the 5th century was a sign of disruption in the social order of the time and demonstratedthat the prevalent political and social structures and the laws dominating the society had deviated from their main framework. Egalitarianism and justice-seeking, as the most important goals of Mazdak’s uprise, signify the existence of injustice and disorder in society. However, Mazdak and his movement have had an extremely negative and ambiguous reflection in the sources of the Sassanid period (Khwaday-Namag, a Middle Persian history text) and post-Sassanid Pahlavi texts. The writers of these texts introduce Mazdak as a satanic force and his movement as the cause of disorder in the Sassanid society. This study, which was conducted following a descriptive- analytic method, examines the relationship between Mazdak and his movement and social order. A careful study of Sassanid and post-Sassanid sources reveals that Mazdak’s uprise was the outcome of disorder in society and the poor government of the country in the Sassanid period.