Journal of Documentary and Archival Studies

Abstract Urban maps can be utilized as significant means for understanding environmental conditions. If these documents are generated following engineering precisions, they can offer a clear depiction of cities to the audience. Moreover, these maps illustrate urban developments all over the history. This applied case study used a descriptive-analytical method to examine one of the oldest maps, depicting the structure of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza and its surrounding urban environment. The original document is held in Golestan Palace (Tehran, Iran), and an image of the map (registered no. 153990) is held in the Astan Quds Razavi Document Center. The main aim of this study was to analyze this document that has been created by Zolfaghar Mohandes in 1284 AH. He has been trying to find out about the structure of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza, its physical elements, and the urban environments around the shrine over the Qajar era. The results showed that this document was made in Naser al-Din Shah’s journey to Mashhad. It illustrates the spaces related to the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza, the boundaries of neighborhood, urban service buildings (Timchehs, caravanserais, schools, baths, Ab Anbars (cisterns), Gharavolkhanehs (guardhouses), cemeteries) and the main thoroughfares. Considering the results, one can conclude that this document is the oldest map that illustrates the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza and gives the detailed information for pilgrims. The information is about the access paths to the Holy Shrine, the entrances to the courtyards, shoe repositories, and the way of movement through porches and covered prayer halls to the holy tomb of Imam Reza. Moreover, its illustrates the administrative system and structure of Astan Quds Razavi regarding the service, administrative, educational, security, accommodation, and hospitality sectors for pilgrims. Therefore, this map can be considered the first urban tourism map of Iran on pilgrimage.

Abstract This study introduced a newly discovered tombstone inscription from the Poushanj desert cemetery in Darab. The tombstone inscription dates back to the ninth century (877 AH), when Uzun Hasan Aq Qoyunlu rule the region. The deceased man is called Malek Mo’ayyed al-Bazgir. The term “bazgir” may be transformed form of “bazhgir” and “bajgir” that was a bureaucratic job related to tax collection. More likely, this term alludes to the name of “Bazgir Tribe” who lived in western Iran. Historical documents do not show any record of the presence of the people of this tribe in southern Iran. Relying historical sources and documents, this study tried to explore the historical identity of the deceased person in Darab. Considering the title “Malek” before the name of the deceased man, two hypotheses were proposed regarding the reason for this individual’s presence in Darab. The first hypothesis was that after Uzun Hasan’s conquest of Lorestan and defeating Shah Rostam (one of the moluks of “Atabakan Lor-e-Kuchak”), the deceased man as one of the leaders of the Lor rule was sent or exiled to Darab. The second hypothesis was formed based on the occurrences during the reign of another ruler of Lorestan (Shah Hossein), father of Shah Rostam. This ruler was killed in Hamadan in 873 AH over a fight against people of Baharlou tribe. The presence of officials of the Baharlou tribe in Fars during the Qara Qoyunlu period, before the Safavid era, is probable. Accordingly, it is possible that the deceased man had been captured over the fight of the Lor ruler against the Baharlou in Hamadan and sent to Darab. Moreover, this tombstone inscription was explored as a valuable document for determining the approximate date of the end of the socio-political life of Darabjerd city and the beginning of the social life of Darab city. Examining the inscriptions of the tombstone inscriptions, taking a comparative historical method, and relying on library sources, this study tried to identify the historical identity of the deceased man.

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.

Abstract Teahouses are considered the major gathering places in Eastern societies. These public places have primary and secondary functions. Their primary function is to serve tea, hookah, and coffee, and their secondary functions have been various over the history. Some time over the history, storytelling and Pardeh Khani (citing out of pictures on curtains) have been prevalent in teahouses. Some other late times, gramophones, radios, and televisions were common to be found in the places. More recently, other things like Wi-Fi has attracted customers. This research tried to see what the secondary functions of Isfahan teahouses were in the 1320s AH. In other words, it sought to see what means have been employed in the teahouses to attract customers. Relying on the documents of the National Archives Organization of Iran and applying a descriptive-analytical method and through library resources, this study found that several secondary or unconventional functions for the teahouses, including theater performances, sports acrobatics, the sale and use of opium, the sale of alcoholic beverages, party activities, and trade union activities. Reviewing previous related studies conducted on teahouses over the last decade, this study tried to contribute to the history of teahouses through examining the newly found documents.

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 Valuable treasures of the holy shrines of Shia Imams have been formed due to the expression of love and devotion of some rulers and their followers. However, the trajectory of of many of these works has been forgotten due to the passage of time. Retrieving documents related to these works is one of the most basic ways of identifying their histories. The treasure in Alaviyah's tomb holds a collection of the most exquisite works of the Islamic era, but so far, many of its works have not been carefully and scientifically scrutinized and documented. Relying on the documents of the Astan Quds Razavi document collection, this study tried to identify and document a pair of diamond earrings that is considered one of the most exquisite pieces of jewelry found in the treasure of Alaviyah.

Abstract This study explored the socio-political changes of Khorasan prior to the Constitutional Revolution, relying on the daily accounts of British Consulate in Mashhad (1325 AH/1907 AD). Over this period, Khorasan was abundant with conflicts between rulers, clergymen, and modernists. At the time, a prominent issue in this regard was the role played by Asef al-Dowleh (Gholamreza Khan Inanlou Shahsavan), the ruler of Khorasan, in selling wheat to Russia, bestowing positions to his own children, and his relations with foreign consulates, especially the British Consulate. Taking a descriptive-analytical method and analyzing the content of the British Consulate’s accounts, this study explored the role of rulers and clergymen in the socio-political tensions of Khorasan. It also explored the conflicts between clergymen and modernists, the impact of consulates on local decisions, and the clergymen’s reaction to reforms. The results indicated that the fundamental issues impacting the changes in Khorasan the period in question were internal conflicts between clergymen and modernists, the influence of consulates in local affairs, and resistance to modernism. The complicated interaction among these groups exerted a strong influence on the socio-political structure of this region, leading to changes in power relations and the local economy.

Abstract Such significant issues as the administrative and financial integrity of Astan Quds Razavi as a divine institution, the creation of hereditary positions like teaching, and the allocation of salaries and duties to the employees of this organization over the Safavid era pose the questions that how teachers and scientists were given the responsibilities in the scientific centers and schools of the holy Shrine, how much, and from what sources they were paid. This study claimed that teachers of the schools and centers of the holy Shrine and its other related centers were appointed and paid by the kings of Safavid dynasty (907-1148 AH). Taking a descriptive-analytical method and relying on archival documents, this study revealed that a man titled “motavallibashi” (custodian) under the supervision of the Safavid kings was appointed to handle the endowments and regulations of Astan Quds Razavi. This way, this institution was organized to have a systematic administrative and civil structure. By Shah Tahmasb Safavi’s order the teachers were appointed and their salaries were paid. Consequently, the position of a teaching came to be one of the official and hereditary positions of Astan Quds Razavi. The surviving documents about the teachers working in this era are mainly financial documents that include information on the salaries, benefits, sources of the salaries, and payment of duties to the descendants. Moreover, the documents include some information on how teachers were appointed and their decrees of appointment were issued.

Abstract This study tried to see whether the National Assembly Elections of Iran in Pahlavi period (both Reza and Mohammad Reza) were held according to the Constitutional Law. Relying on the documents, memoirs, and other historical sources, this study endeavored to approach the mentioned issue and clearly shows it. Its significance lies in determining if the regime was actually following the constitutional law as it was continuously claiming to be a constitutional monarchy. It can reveal the nature of the two Pahlavi regimes as democratic or autocratic governments. Elections of the 6th to 24th parliaments were held in the Pahlavi era. The main question is that whether the parliamentary elections were based on the Constitutional Law and included the determining role of the public in choosing their own future or the executive power from the beginning had been trying to control the legislative power.

Abstract Focusing on survived documentaries to understand more on religious rituals is a fundamental purpose of understanding religious agency and how they are manifested in society. Pilgrimage is a ritual and mode of worship in Islam, encompassing visits to sacred places and innocent figures. Several objects and symbols that are represented and depicted in the form of sacred images have been produced in diverse dimensions over the centuries. Pilgrimage scrolls can be considered evident examples that can be significant sources for examining the historical trajectory of religions, since they depict several locations, objects, symbols, and religious ceremonies. This study tried to introduce a textual-visual pilgrimage scroll kept in the Library and Documentation Center of Astan Quds Razavi. The results showed that there are some survived scrolls in the centers, libraries, and museums over the glove, and the scroll kept in the Astan Quds Razavi is similar to the Nippur scroll, but can be considered a complete extant visual representation and be complement of each other for analyzing pilgrimage scrolls. The scroll kept in the Astan Quds Razavi deserves to be examined not only at is a pilgrimage scroll but also from a mystical-Sufi perspective. This specific scroll embraces the unique depictions of the Shiite pilgrimage symbols and some part of symbols pertaining to the narrative of the Prophet Muhammad’s ascension (Me’raj). The depicted religious seeker goes through Mecca, visits sacred places, and ultimately arrives at the holy shrine of Imam Reza. He awaits gazing the continuation of the path that only the perfect human being, that is, Prophet Muhammad, has successfully went through and reached the absolute light. This pilgrimage scroll crystalizes the delicate and keen insight of its illustrator as it is featured with the entirety of the pilgrimage in the journey towards the origin of divinity.