South Khorasan Province
Encyclopedia
South Khorasan Province is a province
located in eastern Iran
. Birjand
is the centre of the province. The other major cities are Ferdows
and Qaen.
South Khorasan Province consists of 8 counties: Birjand
, Boshruyeh
, Ferdows
, Qaen
, Sarayan
, Nehbandan
, Darmian
and Sarbisheh
.
South Khorasan is one the three provinces that were created after the division of Khorasan in 2004.
has witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties and governments in its territory throughout history. Various tribes of the Arabs, Turks, Kurds Mongols, Turkemen and Afghans brought changes to the region time and time again.
Ancient geographers of Iran divided Iran ("Iran-Shahr") into eight segments of which the most flourishing and largest was the territory of Greater Khorasan
. Esfarayen
, among other cities of the province, was one of the focal points for residence of the Aryan tribes after entering Iran.
The Parthia
n empire was based near Merv
in Khorasan for many years. In Parthians times, Esfarayen
was one of the important villages of Nishapur
.
During the Sassanid dynasty the province was governed by a Spahbod (Lieutenant General) called "Padgoosban" and four margraves, each commander of one of the four parts of the province.
Khorasan was divided into four parts during the Muslim conquest of Persia, each section being named after the four largest cities, Nishapur, Merv
, Herat
, and Balkh
.
In the year 651, the army of Islamic Arabs invaded Khorasan. The territory remained in the hands of the Abbasid
clan until 820, followed by the rule of the Iranian Taherid clan in the year 896 and the Samanid
dynasty in 900.
Mahmud of Ghazni
conquered Khorasan in 994 and in the year 1037 Toghrül, the first of the Seljuq empire rulers conquered Nishapur.
Mahmud Qaznavi retaliated against the invaders several times, and finally the Qaznavi Turks defeated Sultan Sanjar
. But there was more to come, as in 1157 Khorasan was conquered by the Khwarazmids and because of simultaneous attacks by the Mongols, Khorasan was annexed to the territories of the Mongol Ilkhanate
.
In the 14th century, a flag of independence was hoisted by the Sarbedaran movement
in Sabzevar
, and in 1468, Khorasan came into the hands of Tamerlane and the city of Herat
was declared as capital.
In 1507, Khorasan was occupied by Uzbek
tribes. After the death of Nader Shah
in 1747, it was occupied by the Afghans.
During the Qajar period, Britain
supported the Afghans to protect their East India Company
. Herat
was thus separated from Persia, and Nasser-al-Din Shah was unable to defeat the British to take back Herat. Finally, the Paris Treaty was concluded in 1903 and Iran was compelled not to challenge the British for Herat and other parts of what is today Afghanistan
.
Finally Khorasan was divided into two parts: the eastern part, which was the most densely populated region came under British occupation, and the other western section remained part of Iran.
Khorasan was the largest province of Iran until it was divided into three provinces on September 29, 2004. The provinces approved by the parliament of Iran
(on May 18, 2004) and the Council of Guardians (on May 29, 2004) were Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, and South Khorasan.
there are also large Pashtuns, Baloch
, and Arab
communities. There is also a sizeable Afghan (pashutns) community, especially in the eastern parts of the province (Birjand
and Qaen), due to the influx of immigrants coming from Afghanistan
in recent years.
South Khorasan is known for its famous rugs as well as its saffron
, barberry which are produced in almost all parts of the province.
South Khorasan has many historical and natural attractions, but besides these, South Khorasan encompasses various religious buildings and places of pilgrimage as well.
The Cultural Heritage of Iran lists 1179 sites of historical and cultural significance in all three provinces of Khorasan.
In the past, Birjand was a small part of a region which called Ghohestan. Ghohestan, was a part of old Khorasan which now is named South Khorasan Province. The main cities of Ghohestan, were Toon (now Ferdows
) and Qaen. Birjand grew in recent centuries especially during Qajar dynasty
and found its important role in this region.
On the one hand, this region was a place of refuge for some movements like the Ismaili
, and was the target of Arab refugees who escaped from the tyranny of the Abbasid
Caliphate. On the other hand, some Zoroastrian vestiges have exist in the area.
Some of the popular attractions of South Khorasan are:
and 260 other sites of historical and cultural significance, as listed by Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.
Provinces of Iran
Iran is subdivided into thirty one provinces , each governed from a local center, usually the largest local city, which is called the capital of that province...
located in eastern Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. Birjand
Birjand
Birjand is the east Iranian provincial capital of South Khorasan and the centre of the county Birjand resp. Quhestan, known for its saffron, barberry, rug and handmade carpet exports....
is the centre of the province. The other major cities are Ferdows
Ferdows
Ferdows , also Romanized as Ferdos, Ferdous, and Firdaus; named Toon or Tūn until 1929) is a city in and the capital of Ferdows County, located in the northwest of South Khorasan Province in Iran. It is about south of Mashhad and 200 km northwest of Birjand...
and Qaen.
South Khorasan Province consists of 8 counties: Birjand
Birjand County
Birjand County is a county in South Khorasan province, Iran. The capital of the county is Birjand. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 221,756, in 60,240 families. The county has two districts : Central District and Khusf District. The county has two cities: Birjand and...
, Boshruyeh
Boshruyeh County
Boshruyeh County is a county in South Khorasan Province in Iran. The center of the county is Boshruyeh. Boshruyeh County was belonged to Ferdows County until November 2008....
, Ferdows
Ferdows County
Ferdows County is a county in the northwest of South Khorasan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Ferdows. The population of this county is about 40,000...
, Qaen
Qaen County
Ghayen County is a county in South Khorasan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Ghayen. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 137,357, in 35,783 families. The county consists of five districts: Zirkuh District, Central District, Nimbeluk District, Zohan District, and Sedeh...
, Sarayan
Sarayan County
Sarayan County is a county in South Khorasan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Sarayan. Sarayan is located in northwest of the province. Sarayan County was belonged to Ferdows County until May 2004....
, Nehbandan
Nehbandan County
Nehbandan County or Nahbandan County is a county in South Khorasan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Nehbandan. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 56,089, in 13,541 families. The county has two districts: Shusef District and Central District...
, Darmian
Darmian County
Darmian County is a county in South Khorasan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Asadiyeh. It was separated from Birjand County in 2005. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 51,793, in 12,893 families. The county consists of three districts Central District, Qohestan...
and Sarbisheh
Sarbisheh County
Sarbisheh County is a county in South Khorasan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Sarbisheh. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 37,591, in 10,119 families. The county consists of two districts: Central District and Mud District...
.
South Khorasan is one the three provinces that were created after the division of Khorasan in 2004.
History
Greater KhorasanGreater Khorasan
Greater Khorasan or Ancient Khorasan is a historical region of Greater Iran mentioned in sources from Sassanid and Islamic eras which "frequently" had a denotation wider than current three provinces of Khorasan in Iran...
has witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties and governments in its territory throughout history. Various tribes of the Arabs, Turks, Kurds Mongols, Turkemen and Afghans brought changes to the region time and time again.
Ancient geographers of Iran divided Iran ("Iran-Shahr") into eight segments of which the most flourishing and largest was the territory of Greater Khorasan
Greater Khorasan
Greater Khorasan or Ancient Khorasan is a historical region of Greater Iran mentioned in sources from Sassanid and Islamic eras which "frequently" had a denotation wider than current three provinces of Khorasan in Iran...
. Esfarayen
Esfarayen
Esfarayen is a city in and the capital of Esfarayen County, North Khorasan Province in Iran. At the 2006 census its population was 51,321, in 13,376 families.Esfarayen is one of the focal points for residence of Aryan tribes after entering into Iran....
, among other cities of the province, was one of the focal points for residence of the Aryan tribes after entering Iran.
The Parthia
Parthia
Parthia is a region of north-eastern Iran, best known for having been the political and cultural base of the Arsacid dynasty, rulers of the Parthian Empire....
n empire was based near Merv
Merv
Merv , formerly Achaemenid Satrapy of Margiana, and later Alexandria and Antiochia in Margiana , was a major oasis-city in Central Asia, on the historical Silk Road, located near today's Mary in Turkmenistan. Several cities have existed on this site, which is significant for the interchange of...
in Khorasan for many years. In Parthians times, Esfarayen
Esfarayen
Esfarayen is a city in and the capital of Esfarayen County, North Khorasan Province in Iran. At the 2006 census its population was 51,321, in 13,376 families.Esfarayen is one of the focal points for residence of Aryan tribes after entering into Iran....
was one of the important villages of Nishapur
Nishapur
Nishapur or Nishabur , is a city in the Razavi Khorasan province in northeastern Iran, situated in a fertile plain at the foot of the Binalud Mountains, near the regional capital of Mashhad...
.
During the Sassanid dynasty the province was governed by a Spahbod (Lieutenant General) called "Padgoosban" and four margraves, each commander of one of the four parts of the province.
Khorasan was divided into four parts during the Muslim conquest of Persia, each section being named after the four largest cities, Nishapur, Merv
Merv
Merv , formerly Achaemenid Satrapy of Margiana, and later Alexandria and Antiochia in Margiana , was a major oasis-city in Central Asia, on the historical Silk Road, located near today's Mary in Turkmenistan. Several cities have existed on this site, which is significant for the interchange of...
, Herat
Herat
Herāt is the capital of Herat province in Afghanistan. It is the third largest city of Afghanistan, with a population of about 397,456 as of 2006. It is situated in the valley of the Hari River, which flows from the mountains of central Afghanistan to the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan...
, and Balkh
Balkh
Balkh , was an ancient city and centre of Zoroastrianism in what is now northern Afghanistan. Today it is a small town in the province of Balkh, about 20 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital, Mazar-e Sharif, and some south of the Amu Darya. It was one of the major cities of Khorasan...
.
In the year 651, the army of Islamic Arabs invaded Khorasan. The territory remained in the hands of the Abbasid
Abbasid
The Abbasid Caliphate or, more simply, the Abbasids , was the third of the Islamic caliphates. It was ruled by the Abbasid dynasty of caliphs, who built their capital in Baghdad after overthrowing the Umayyad caliphate from all but the al-Andalus region....
clan until 820, followed by the rule of the Iranian Taherid clan in the year 896 and the Samanid
Samanid
The Samani dynasty , also known as the Samanid Empire, or simply Samanids was a Persian state and empire in Central Asia and Greater Iran, named after its founder Saman Khuda, who converted to Sunni Islam despite being from Zoroastrian theocratic nobility...
dynasty in 900.
Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni , actually ', was the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid dynasty who ruled from 997 until his death in 1030 in the eastern Iranian lands. Mahmud turned the former provincial city of Ghazni into the wealthy capital of an extensive empire which covered most of today's Iran,...
conquered Khorasan in 994 and in the year 1037 Toghrül, the first of the Seljuq empire rulers conquered Nishapur.
Mahmud Qaznavi retaliated against the invaders several times, and finally the Qaznavi Turks defeated Sultan Sanjar
Ahmed Sanjar
Ahmad Sanjar Ahmad Sanjar Ahmad Sanjar (Mu'iz ud-Dīn Ahmad-e Sanjar; was the sultan of the Great Seljuq Empire from 1118 to 1153. He was initially the sultan of Khorasan until he gained the rest of the territory upon the death of Muhammad I....
. But there was more to come, as in 1157 Khorasan was conquered by the Khwarazmids and because of simultaneous attacks by the Mongols, Khorasan was annexed to the territories of the Mongol Ilkhanate
Ilkhanate
The Ilkhanate, also spelled Il-khanate , was a Mongol khanate established in Azerbaijan and Persia in the 13th century, considered a part of the Mongol Empire...
.
In the 14th century, a flag of independence was hoisted by the Sarbedaran movement
Sarbadars
The Sarbadars were a mixture of religious dervishes and secular rulers that came to rule over part of western Khurasan in the midst of the disintegration of the Mongol Ilkhanate in the mid-14th century...
in Sabzevar
Sabzevar
Sabzevar is a city in, and the capital of Sabzevar County, in Razavi Khorasan Province in northeastern Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 208,172, in 57,024 families.It is approximately 220 kilometres west of Mashhad, the provincial capital...
, and in 1468, Khorasan came into the hands of Tamerlane and the city of Herat
Herat
Herāt is the capital of Herat province in Afghanistan. It is the third largest city of Afghanistan, with a population of about 397,456 as of 2006. It is situated in the valley of the Hari River, which flows from the mountains of central Afghanistan to the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan...
was declared as capital.
In 1507, Khorasan was occupied by Uzbek
Uzbeks
The Uzbeks are a Turkic ethnic group in Central Asia. They comprise the majority population of Uzbekistan, and large populations can also be found in Afghanistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Pakistan, Mongolia and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China...
tribes. After the death of Nader Shah
Nader Shah
Nāder Shāh Afshār ruled as Shah of Iran and was the founder of the Afsharid dynasty. Because of his military genius, some historians have described him as the Napoleon of Persia or the Second Alexander...
in 1747, it was occupied by the Afghans.
During the Qajar period, Britain
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
supported the Afghans to protect their East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
. Herat
Herat
Herāt is the capital of Herat province in Afghanistan. It is the third largest city of Afghanistan, with a population of about 397,456 as of 2006. It is situated in the valley of the Hari River, which flows from the mountains of central Afghanistan to the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan...
was thus separated from Persia, and Nasser-al-Din Shah was unable to defeat the British to take back Herat. Finally, the Paris Treaty was concluded in 1903 and Iran was compelled not to challenge the British for Herat and other parts of what is today Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
Finally Khorasan was divided into two parts: the eastern part, which was the most densely populated region came under British occupation, and the other western section remained part of Iran.
Khorasan was the largest province of Iran until it was divided into three provinces on September 29, 2004. The provinces approved by the parliament of Iran
Majlis of Iran
The National Consultative Assembly of Iran , also called The Iranian Parliament or People's House, is the national legislative body of Iran...
(on May 18, 2004) and the Council of Guardians (on May 29, 2004) were Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, and South Khorasan.
South Khorasan today
The major ethnic groups in this region are the PersiansPersian people
The Persian people are part of the Iranian peoples who speak the modern Persian language and closely akin Iranian dialects and languages. The origin of the ethnic Iranian/Persian peoples are traced to the Ancient Iranian peoples, who were part of the ancient Indo-Iranians and themselves part of...
there are also large Pashtuns, Baloch
Baloch people
The Baloch or Baluch are an ethnic group that belong to the larger Iranian peoples. Baluch people mainly inhabit the Balochistan region and Sistan and Baluchestan Province in the southeast corner of the Iranian plateau in Western Asia....
, and Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
communities. There is also a sizeable Afghan (pashutns) community, especially in the eastern parts of the province (Birjand
Birjand
Birjand is the east Iranian provincial capital of South Khorasan and the centre of the county Birjand resp. Quhestan, known for its saffron, barberry, rug and handmade carpet exports....
and Qaen), due to the influx of immigrants coming from Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
in recent years.
South Khorasan is known for its famous rugs as well as its saffron
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...
, barberry which are produced in almost all parts of the province.
Attractions
The Cultural Heritage of Iran lists 1179 sites of historical and cultural significance in all three provinces of Khorasan.
In the past, Birjand was a small part of a region which called Ghohestan. Ghohestan, was a part of old Khorasan which now is named South Khorasan Province. The main cities of Ghohestan, were Toon (now Ferdows
Ferdows
Ferdows , also Romanized as Ferdos, Ferdous, and Firdaus; named Toon or Tūn until 1929) is a city in and the capital of Ferdows County, located in the northwest of South Khorasan Province in Iran. It is about south of Mashhad and 200 km northwest of Birjand...
) and Qaen. Birjand grew in recent centuries especially during Qajar dynasty
Qajar dynasty
The Qajar dynasty was an Iranian royal family of Turkic descent who ruled Persia from 1785 to 1925....
and found its important role in this region.
On the one hand, this region was a place of refuge for some movements like the Ismaili
Ismaili
' is a branch of Shia Islam. It is the second largest branch of Shia Islam, after the Twelvers...
, and was the target of Arab refugees who escaped from the tyranny of the Abbasid
Abbasid
The Abbasid Caliphate or, more simply, the Abbasids , was the third of the Islamic caliphates. It was ruled by the Abbasid dynasty of caliphs, who built their capital in Baghdad after overthrowing the Umayyad caliphate from all but the al-Andalus region....
Caliphate. On the other hand, some Zoroastrian vestiges have exist in the area.
Some of the popular attractions of South Khorasan are:
- Ferdows Hot Mineral Spring
- Ferdows Congregation MosqueFerdows Congregation MosqueThe Jāmeh Mosque of Ferdows is the grand, congregational mosque of Ferdows, South Khorasan Province, Iran. The mosque is located towards the southwest of city, in the center of the ancient city of Toon.-History:...
or Jame’ mosque of FerdowsFerdowsFerdows , also Romanized as Ferdos, Ferdous, and Firdaus; named Toon or Tūn until 1929) is a city in and the capital of Ferdows County, located in the northwest of South Khorasan Province in Iran. It is about south of Mashhad and 200 km northwest of Birjand... - Ferdows Religious SchoolFerdows Religious SchoolFerdows Religious School is a historic school with octagonal design, located in the southwest of Ferdows city, in the center of the ancient city of Toon, in South Khorasan province, Iran....
- Nehbandan citadelNehbandan citadelThe Ciatdel of Nehbandan, or Arg e Nehbandan, is a citadel from the Parthian era, located near Birjand, in South Khorasan province of Iran....
- Furg citadelFurg citadelThe Citadel of Furg, or Arg e Furg, is a citadel from the 12th century, located in South Khorasan, in Iran, near Birjand. The citadel was founded by Meerza Muhammad Rafiee Darmiany I ....
- Ferdows Religious School (Belonged to Safavid dynastySafavid dynastyThe Safavid dynasty was one of the most significant ruling dynasties of Iran. They ruled one of the greatest Persian empires since the Muslim conquest of Persia and established the Twelver school of Shi'a Islam as the official religion of their empire, marking one of the most important turning...
) - Kolah Farangi mansion in Birjand
- Ghal'eh Paeen-ShahrGhal'eh Paeen-ShahrThe Citadel of Paeen-shahr is a citadel from the 12th century, located in South Khorasan, in Iran, in Birjand.Not much remains of the structure, due to repeated earthquakes. Its use was primarily military.-See also:...
- Chahr Derakht Mosque
- Amir Abad garden
- Behgard Garden
- Akbariyeh Garden
- Chenshat cave,
- Jame’ mosque of Birjand
- Imamzadeh Mosa,
- Alam palace
- deragon caveDeragon CaveThe Deragon Cave is the deepest cave in Khorasan, located in South Khorasan, Iran near Sarayan....
in Sarayan - ghaleh ghala castle of Sarayan
and 260 other sites of historical and cultural significance, as listed by Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.
Colleges and universities
- University of Birjand
- Birjand University of Medical SciencesBirjand University of Medical SciencesBirjand University of Medical Sciences is a medical school in Iran.Located in Birjand of South Khorasan Province, the school was founded in 1985 under the supervision of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, but was separated later as an independent institute.The university is state operated,...
- Islamic Azad University of Birjand
- Islamic Azad University of Ferdows