North Khorasan Province
Encyclopedia
North Khorasan Province is a province located in northeastern Iran
. Bojnord
is the centre of the province.
Other counties are Shirvan
, Esfarayen
, Maneh-o-Samalqan
, Jajarm
, Faroj
and Germeh
.
North 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 Tuğrul Beg, 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.
The Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran
lists 1,179 sites of historical and cultural significance in all three provinces of Khorasan.
Some of the popular attractions of North Khorasan are:
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...
. Bojnord
Bojnord
Bojnurd is the capital city of North Khorasan province, Iran. It is about 701 km from Tehran. At the 2006 census, its population was 172,772, in 44,217 families...
is the centre of the province.
Other counties are Shirvan
Shirvan, Iran
Shirvan is a city in and the capital of Shirvan County, North Khorasan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 82,790, in 20,878 families....
, 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....
, Maneh-o-Samalqan
Maneh-o-Samalqan County
Maneh-o-Samalqan County is a county in North Khorasan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Ashkhaneh. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 91,884, in 23,040 families. The county has three districts: Central District, Maneh District, and Samalqan District...
, Jajarm
Jajrom County
Jajarm County is a county in North Khorasan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Jajarm. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 57,349, in 14,803 families. The county has three districts: Central District, Jolgeh Sankhvast District, and Jolgeh Shoqan District...
, Faroj
Faroj County
Faruj County is a county in North Khorasan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Faruj. It was separated from Shirvan County in 2004. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 48,743, in 12,947 families. The county has two districts : Central District and Khabushan District...
and Germeh
Germeh County
Germeh County is a county in North Khorasan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Garmeh. It was separated from Jajrom County in 2008.-References:* اطلس گیتاشناسی استانهای ایران [Atlas Gitashenasi Ostanhai Iran]...
.
North 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 Tuğrul Beg, 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.
North Khorasan today
Northern Khorasan province is one of the most diverse territorities in Iran. Kurds speaking Kurmanji makeup approximately 37% of the population, Persian speakers make up 29%, Khorasani Turks makeup 27% and Turkmenas makeup 5%, while the rest of the population is composed of Baluchs, Lurs and ArabsMain sights
This province contains many historical and natural attractions, such as mineral water springs, small lakes, recreational areas, caves and protected regions, and various hiking areas. Most of the historical relics are from the Qajar era, as earthquakes continue to ravage older relics.The Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran
Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran
Iran Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization is an educational and research institution overseeing numerous associated museum complexes throughout Iran. It is administered and funded by the Government of Iran....
lists 1,179 sites of historical and cultural significance in all three provinces of Khorasan.
Some of the popular attractions of North Khorasan are:
- Sari Gol protected area,
- Hasanabad, Ghaisar and Solak old castles,
- Noshirvan and Ebadatgah caves,
- Faghatdezh castle,
- Tomb of Sheikh Ali Esfarayeni
- Saloog Protected Area,
- Besh Ghardash (five brothers) and Baba-Aman springs,
- Bidag, Konegarm, Konjekooh, Armadloo and Seyed Sadegh caves,
- Mofakham mirror house (image), built during the Qajar era
- Baba Tavakol mausoleum,
- Imamzadeh Sultan Seyed Abbas
- Salook Protected Area
- Bazkhaneh valley
- Ayyub mineral water spring
- Ruwin village
Colleges and universities
See also
- Khorasan
- Greater KhorasanGreater KhorasanGreater 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...
- Razavi Khorasan
- South Khorasan
- History of IranHistory of IranThe history of Iran has been intertwined with the history of a larger historical region, comprising the area from the Danube River in the west to the Indus River and Jaxartes in the east and from the Caucasus, Caspian Sea, and Aral Sea in the north to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and Egypt...