فصلنامه گنجینه اسناد
پیاپی 120 (زمستان 1399)

The present study reports the dispute between Abdolhossein Dehdashti, a prominent Iranian scholar and merchant and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company  regarding the ownership of the Larestan bitumen land in Shooshtar between 1922-1928. The paper reports the efforts of the both parties to prove their rightful ownership of the land.

This research is based on archival documents library resources.

The D'Arcy contract and the South Oil Company with the Bakhtiari people led to the disregard of the ownership of Sadat Qahiri, a resident of Shushtar, Khuzistan, on the Larestan bitumen lands. Although the land was initially leased to the South Oil Company, its economic importance led the South Oil Company to claim ownership of the land and disregard Sadat Qahiri's right of ownership. By choosing Abdolhossein Dehdashti as their lawyer, Sadat Qahiri succeeded in proving his ownership of the mentioned lands and undermining the economic-political interests of the Southern Oil Company. In addition, based on the proposal and follow-up of Sadat Qahiri 's lawyer, "Oil Management and Auditing" was formed in Khuzistan, as a result of which the profiteering of courtiers and influential people from oil resources was stopped and limited.

Soltanabad (present name: Arak), located in the heart of mid-western of Iran is which in the past called Eragh-e Ajam (=Iraq of Persia). Soon after the beginning of WWI Soltanabad became a cross-road of foreign forces.  This article reports the impact of the presence of these forces in the region and its consequences for Soltanabad.

Archival documents and library resources were consulted to collect data for analysis.

Presence of foreign forces disrupted normal life of the region.  The demand for local agricultural products, insecurity of roads, and drought led to food shortage and sharp rise in prices, resulted in with wide-spread famine. Also, cities like Tehran, Qom and Isfahan which imported agricultural products from the region also came under pressure.

This paper reports the conflict between local influencial persons in the south-eastern region of Sistan with the central government between 1941 and 1953.

This study is based on archival records and library resources.  

For the sake of establishing a modern state in Iran, Rezah Shah successfully pusued the policy of suppressing local powers who challenged the authority of the central government throughout the country including in the south-eastern region of Sistan. However, after his resignation in 1941, exiled warlords (=Sardar) and landlords returned to Sistan. Taking advantage of the weakness of central government, they could to some extent restore their power. Determined by the government and law. The central government adopted a policy of tolerance with them as long as they did not exceed the limits. Nevertheless, over the 1940s whenever the ce tral government was weak, they excersised their power beyond the that.

Reports the insurgency of Zabardastkhan Khan Chapeshlu, a tribal chief from Dargaz in north-east Iran in th elater years of 1920s. The paper explores domestic and foreign forces behind the revolt, also discusses its political, military, social, and economic consequences

Data mainly obtained from archival records and library resources.

  Political instability, the lack of a strong central government, in addition to cultural and socio-economic conditions of the region paved the wasy for the insugencey.  British covert activities and implicit support by Soviet Union encourages the revolt. Consequences included a diplomatic chllege with the Soviets for extradition of the Khan, intensifies insecurity in the region and a terrified population, social disorder, and damage to public and private assets.

This paper reports the work of Austrian Albert Gasteiger, who came to Iran in mid 19th century to help with the development of roads.

Archival documents are examined to collect data for this paper.

The Qajarid government viewed construction of roads essential for further the development of the nation. Following lengthy negotiations with the Iranian diplomatic delegation in Europe, Albert Gasteiger, an Austrian civil engineer, and Baron Donnermann from France were recruited to draft plans for construction roads and railroads in Iran. Albert Gasteiger traveled to   Iran and visited different parts of the country. He drafted general policies for the Iranian government oversaw the construction of Tehran-Kermanshah, Tehran-Amol, and Mashhad- Quchan roads. Also, he proposed the construction of a number of railway and dams project to  Nasser-al-Din Shah. However, inefficiency of the political system, corruption,  local influences, and insecurity caused by Russian and British interference led to the failure of the government to implement the palns fully.

Nadir-Shah banned official decrees to follow Safavid style. However, his successors revived the style. This paper discusses the reasons for that revival.  

Archival records and library materials were examined to collect data.  

Nadir-Shah faced with the memory of Safavids legitimacy throughout his reign. He took certain measures to wipe it away, including eliminating administrative traditions. In spite of that, his successors tried to revive Safavid tradition in order to gain the support of the public in their policies. One aspect of that was the revival of Safavid’s court traditions in preparing official decrees. The decrees issued by them contain elements and models of Safavids such as headers and design, the wording on seals, the tradition of Neshan, and paying respect to Safavid kings.

This paper examines a map prepared back in 1935 for the Bagh-e Fin (=Fin Garden) in Kashan by Hossein Ali Tasallot Kashani, a traditional architect. The papers compares the map with similar maps prepared for the garden; also examines the type and the purpose of drawing it, and reports the state of the garden at the time.

Most of the data is obtained from archival documents and letters.

The map is not architectural, but ordered by Kashan Finance Department in order to estimate the cost of repairs needed. The map has had a great impact on the current appearance of the garden.