Journal of Documentary and Archival Studies

Abstract Mashhad is one of the historical cities of Iran, formed based on the existence of a holy place. Several written documents have described Mashhad, but so far, no study can be found that has described the boundaries and structure of its historical neighborhoods. Applying a descriptive-analytical method, this applied research explored a document from Golestan Palace as a case. It tried to answer the question: How was the morphology of Mashhad’s historical neighborhoods in the Qajar period, based on Colonel Julius Delmage’s map? The results showed that the administration system of Mashhad was based on six major neighborhoods. Every neighborhood, based on spatial features and residents, had different structures and different service pilgrimage spaces. All of these have been formed based on their accessibility to the central pilgrimage space of Mashhad and its gates. The formation of most caravanserais in the Paein Khiaban, Sarshour, and Noghan neighborhoods indicates more pilgrimages in them. Moreover, most of urban service spaces and guard places had been located in Sarab neighborhood, indicating that this neighborhood was the resident of the nobles. Eidgah neighborhood is considered the most religious neighborhood of Mashhad as it embraces more mosques and tekyehs, while the central part of the city and Sarab and Noghan neighborhoods are more famous for education.

Abstract Mashhad as the capital of Afsharid dynasty and holding the holy shrine of Imam Reza, experienced many ups and downs over Afsharid period. All trustees of Astan Quds were of Sadat Razavi and Hosseini families, but their power and authority diminished over time, as the dominant power of the Afsharid dynasty was settled in Mashhad and the kings could control and interfere more easily with different matters of Astan Quds Razavi. Nader Shah and his successors usually made decisions for the trustees on the way of managing Astan Quds, on the way of its cooperation with other organizations and government agents, and on other significant issues. The trustees’ activities and power were limited and the number of employees was reduced in this period. Holding Shias’ specific religious and ritual ceremonies like those common in the Safavid era became more confined. The religious ceremonies of Muslims, especially Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Iranians’ national celebration (i.e., Eid Nowruz) were hold magnificently. Nader Shah specifically emphasized on building and developing religious places, maintained his relationship with Shia scholars and employed them in managing the administrative organization of the Holy Shrine and Jame’ Mosques. This study tried to explore Nader’s religious policies and behavior using the mentioned issues and the survived documents from the period.

Abstract Titles are of the main yet under-researched issues in Qajar era. This study aimed to investigate the titles in Astan Quds Razavi and their relationship with seals in the organization in the Qajar era. Discussing such issues as the history of titles in Iran and Astan Quds Razavi in Qajar era, this study explored the relationship between titles and family seals, personal seals, and jobs and the reasons and ways the titles were produced. This study tried to fill the gap regarding the titles and their relationships with the seals and their functions in administrative parts. The results showed that following the formation and proliferation of some titles in the Qajar era, various titles began to be used in the administrative organizations of Astan Quds Razavi. The survived titles can be categorized into hereditary and non-hereditary under family, personal, and job titles. Titles are issued by the king, custodian and governor of Khorasan and their holders were bestowed, given the requested title, the occupational and financial prestige. Seemingly, there has been a direct relationship between the seal and the titles in Qajar era. Many of the title holders added the title to their seals as a criterion.

Abstract The genealogy of old families and examining their social activities indicate that certain professions have been hereditary and continued for many generations, so that the occupations would be considered part of their historical identity. Examining the history of influential families of Mashhad shows that hereditary professions, even artistic or religious ones, continued for several generations in some families associated with the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS). Regarding medicine, some member of old families have been well-known to the people of Mashhad for several generations as physicians. The Shamlu family is considered one of the old families of Mashhad, whose genealogy indicates the presence of physicians for three generations (i.e., from Mirza Gholam Ali Sadr al-Ateba’ to his descendants). This study sought is to explore the history of the Shamlu family and the continuation of the medical profession within this family. Therefore, through examining family documents and oral history, this study dealt with two fundamental questions about the history of this family, medical narratives, and family heritage.

Abstract Among the few endowment deeds of Astan Quds Razavi survived from the Timurid period is a copy of endowment deed belong to Khajeh Jalal al-Din Ahmad Estarabadi. According to the document that has been recorded in a literary-historical collection of the nine and early 10^th century (AH), the holder endowed a Tekyeh and a Bath in Estarabad to the lightening of Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (as) and helping the poor Muslims. The results showed that the endower and the trustees was among the Shiite authorities and Sadats of Estarabad in the Timurid and early Safavid periods. Moreover, the results showed that Estarabad was one of the most significant Shiite centers in the period, and some prominent scholars of the region served in the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (as). The properties specified by the endowment have become part of the neighborhoods of Estarabad following the expansion of this city in later periods. Moreover, due to the expansion of the Holy Shrine and the increase of pilgrims, an increasing need of the Holy Shrine has been providing lighting and supporting pilgrims.

Abstract Mashhad gained the interest of Merchants of other cities in Qajar period due to its geographical and economic status. Some of the merchants greatly impacted the investment in this city. Some of the merchants tended to holding lands and aqueducts despite their business as a merchant. Moreover, some of them invested in urban aqueducts. This research sought to explore the causes and challenges of Merchants in investing in the aqueducts of Mashhad, and also to see who invested, when and in what aqueducts they invested. The results showed that due to the economic value of water in Mashhad, merchants invested in urban aqueducts from the late Qajar period. Haj Abd al-Rahim Saraf, Mashhadi Abdollah Tajerbashi, Ali Darrodi, Haji Agha Nabavian, and Haji Mahmoud Herati were the most prominent investors who invested in such urban aqueducts as Golkhatmi, Ab-Mirza, Goharshad Mosque, Salsabil, Ab-Manba’, and Darwish Beig. Such issues as drought in Mashhad after 1946, the replacement of deep wells and the need for using clean water decreased the business of holding aqueducts and reduced investment in this field. So, most of the owners sold their shares to Astan Quds Razavi. Taking a descriptive-analytical method, this study relied on the documents of Astan Quds Razavi and Khorasan periodicals.

Abstract The territorial disputes with neighboring countries and internal insecurities in the Qajar period made it necessary to implement governmental reforms in the army structure. Taking an analytical approach, focusing on archives, and relying on documents of Astan Quds Razavi over 1268-1292 AH, this study tried to examine the organizational structure of the Qajar army. This study intended to see how the organizational structure of the Qajar army was and what the position of arsenal section (Qourkhaneh) was in this structure. Reviewing the related literature showed lack of conducting studies on this issue. The results showed that the Iranian army during this period, despite its inefficiencies, featured with a cohesive system divided into four sections: cavalry, infantry, artillery, and the arsenal. This structure was part of a higher hierarchical structure that embraced Qajar Khans, royal and provincial servant cavalry, military corps (including adjutants and pioneers), soldier corps (including infantry soldiers), and extra-military corps (including small local cavalry and infantry units). In this structure, the arsenal came under the pioneers section and was responsible for fabricating and repairing weapons as well as providing the necessities. The section was composed of the people of two sub-sections: officials and manufacturers, whose salaries and wages were paid through drafts.