نشریه مطالعات ایرانشناسی
پیاپی 19 (زمستان 1399)

From a political and social point of view, the Qajar period is considered to be one of the important periods in the history of Iran because of the occurrence of the Constitutional Revolution and the development of the National consultative Assembly during this time. In the first years of this government, Zoroastrians did not live in desirable financial conditions; however, from the mid Qajar period, because of establishing a relationship with the Parsis Community of India, their role in the economic and social activities of society became more eye-catching. This incident finally led to their playing a significant role in the events related to the Constitutional Revolution. Relying on first hand sources and following a descriptive-analytic method, this study was conducted to investigate Zoroastrians’ commercial activities and trade centers during the Qajar period and examine their political and social ventures at that time. The findings of this study indicate that Zoroastrian tradesmen and trade centers gradually improved their commercial status from the middle of the Qajar era onwards and, in addition to trade, expanded their activities in relation to money exchange and land ownership over time. The collection of these elements resulted in the gradual growth of their political and social status.

Given the historical background of the two old cities of Sarpol Zahab (old Hulwan) and Kermanshah (Qurmasin/Qarmisin in Arabic texts of the early Islamic Period), it can be claimed that one of the most important factors in the development and subsistence of the mentioned cities during the various historical periods has been the existence of two important rivers of Alvand (Alvan) and Qarasu. A study of different texts of the Islamic period indicates that the name of the old region and town of Hulwan has been adopted from the name of Alvan River. In the book Hudud al-álam (4th century, AH) reference has been made to the exact location of Alvand River in relation to the city of Hulwan, and the name “Alvand” has been used in the same form until now. Regarding Qarasu River, it seems that this name replaced it old name in the Safavid period or a short time before that. The old name of Qarasu, like Alvand River, was probably similar to the name of a city in its vicinity. Accordingly, some options such as the ancient Korma River, Arazishoo River, and Gamasiab River have been discussed and studied in relation to the old name of Qarasu River. Based on the texts of the Islamic period and a number of scattered archeological proofs, it seems that the old city of Kermanshah was located in the south of Qarasu River under the Qajar texture of the present city.

According to the intertextuality approach and Bakhtin’s hypotheses, which were later expanded by Gérar Genette, no work of art is independent from other artistic works, and all of them bear a tight relationship with each other. A study of the shared elements of the literary and miniature styles of the Timurid period testifies to the existence of an intertextual relationship between these two prevalent artistic fields of that time. Following a descriptive-analytic approach, the present study aims to examine the literary and artistic works of the Timurid period and highlight the extent of the influence of literature over the art of miniature. The findings of the study indicate that the style of Persian literature has been employed as an introduction to the development of the miniature style of the Timurid period, and it is impossible to investigate the miniature works of this period without first learning about the common literary styles of that time.

Iranology is one of the new academic disciplines in the realm of human sciences which has been recently launched in some universities. The curriculum of this field consists of various courses on history, geography, archeology, literature, mythology, folklore, economics, etc., which demonstrates its interdisciplinary nature. Presenting a preliminary definition of this field and introducing its nature, purposes, subject, and methodological principles are among the most important problems which demand further discussion. Accordingly, the present study aims to respond to a number of fundamental questions regarding the necessity and purposes of Iranology and the importance of various related methodological approaches through collecting the required data from authentic sources and resorting to empirical studies in this field. The findings of the study demonstrate that, following an interdisciplinary approach and a multi-dimensional perspective, Iranology provides a more comprehensive knowledge of the problems related to Iranian culture and civilization. However, achieving this important purpose and attaining correct epistemological knowledge depends, to some extent, on adopting an efficient and appropriate methodology. Hence, having an accurate understanding of methodology in criticizing the views and works of foreign Iranologists and obtaining a more realistic knowledge of Iranology is of great significance.

The Kia’ids were a powerful dynasty that ruled a part of Gilan known as Biya-pish from 8th to 10th centuries (AH). They continued their rule independently from the Central Safavid government for about two and a half centuries. Very little research has been conducted on the economic status of Kar-Kia or Kia’id period, and there are only some scattered descriptions in this regard in historical texts and travelogues. The main purpose of this study is to study and explain the role of Gilan’s silk in the internal commercial economy and the economic and political changes of the local Kia’id government. The findings of the study indicate that one of the factors affecting the economic growth and prosperity of the Kia’ids was the historical geography of Gilan. As an economic and strategic product, silk was of great importance in the Kia’id period, and Gilan played an undeniable role in attracting European markets and trade centers because of producing massive amounts of high quality silk. While describing and explaining the social conditions of that time and analyzing its economic elements, the present study investigates the factors which were effective in the economic growth of the local Kia’id government in Gilan and the economic crises after the disintegration of this dynasty. 

Similar to other large rivers, Halil River or Halil Rud has greatly affected the agricultural communities developed in its vicinity. Although the name of the guardian of this huge river has not been mentioned in any text, the author believes that it has been derived from the word Harīr (velvet). This Persian loanword in Arabic is the short form of Harī[r]-Rūd and is used as an adjective to describe the delicate and wavy nature of Chinese silk. Abundant crops, which led to the permanent settlement of early agricultural populations over time, provided prehistoric human beings with the chance to use their spare time more efficiently. In the light of this new opportunity, they managed to reflect more profoundly on their surrounding world, which resulted in some achievements in relation to living a better life. These achievements appeared faster over time. From the beginning of agriculture until the fourth and third millennia BC, there were noteworthy developments in the realm of culture. The increase in Man’s knowledge demanded serious thought regarding the ways to record and preserve the ever-increasing information. At this point, scripts with a geometric basis functioned more efficiently because geometry is linked to calculation. Through examining the signs of linear Proto-Elamite script used in the mudbrick inscriptions of southern Konar Sandal mound in Jiroft, the author reconstructed the original pattern of an integrated geometric system which is capable of recreating some signs that share the same structural foundation with the signs of the most ancient scripts of the neighboring cultures of the ancient world such as proto-Sumerian script and the Indus script. The theory of the Master Grid takes the beginning of writing in the region further back in history and highlights the fundamental role of Iran not only in the realm of script invention but also in founding some other important cultural achievements more than ever before. 

Many people have spoken or written about Nowruz rituals. There are numerous and invaluable old sources available on Nowruz and the related myths and rituals; the theological, cosmological, and astronomical views in relation to Nowruz, and the customs and traditions related to this occasion and the Sassanid Iran and kingdom. In the modern era, several archeological findings, documents, and studies, alongside the comparative studies conducted by historians, mythologists, linguists, experts studying ancient scripts, and Iranian and non-Iranian Iranologists have provided plenty of useful and reliable scientific data about Nowruz. The present study does not discuss Nowruz-related customs and rituals; rather, it follows a theoretical and philosophical approach to investigating Nowruz rituals and their connection with Iranians’ national and religious identity. The author believes that, in comparison to the huge number of historical, comparative, and field studies conducted in this regard, this approach to Nowruz customs has been to some extent neglected by researchers in this field.

During the First World War, in spite of its declared neutrality, Iran turned into the scene of battles between Russian and British armies, on the one hand, and Ottomans and Germans, on the other hand. In order to strike a blow to Ottomans, occupy Mesopotamia, and also join the British armies, who were their allies, the Russians began a military campaign in the West of Iran. The Ottomans and Germans also employed certain strategies in opposition to their activities, including providing financial support for Gholamreza Khan, the ruler of Poshtkuh. However, this ruler changed his position in practice and declared his neutrality. Unlike him, the nomads and ethnic tribes of the region, who saw the threats to their territory, equipped their fighters against the Russians and managed to defeat them in their own realm of power. Based on a study of local proofs and oral history preserved by the members of nomadic and ethnic tribes and through library and field studies, this paper aims to clarify the different dimensions of the history of Poshtkuh and the role of nomadic tribes in preventing the arrival of occupying Russian forces in the region.