Ahar (Persian: اهر)[a] is a city in the Central District of Ahar County, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.[4] Ahar was the capital of Karadag Khanate in 18th and 19th centuries.
Ahar
Persian: اهر | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Sheikh Shahab tomb in the city of Ahar | |
  Ahar | |
| Coordinates: 38°28′47″N 47°04′01″E / 38.47972°N 47.06694°E[1] | |
| Country | Iran |
| Province | East Azerbaijan |
| County | Ahar |
| District | Central |
| Population (2016)[2] | |
| • Total | 100,641 |
| Time zone | UTC+3:30 (IRST) |
History
editAhar is one of the ancient cities of the Azerbaijan region, its name before Islam was "meimad".[5] In the 12th-13th centuries, Ahar was a minor and short-lived, but prosperous emirate ruled by the Pishteginid dynasty of Georgian origin (1155—1231).[6] Yaqut al-Hamawi, writing in early thirteenth century, describes Ahar as very flourishing despite its small extent.[7]
The city lost most of its importance during the rule of Ilkhanate.[7] Hamdallah Mustawfi, writing in mid fourteenth century, describes Ahar as a little town. He estimates the tax revenue of the town to be comparable to that of Mardanaqom, which presently is a medium-sized village.[8]
Ahar was in the focus of Safavid's agenda for casting of Azerbaijan as a Safavid dominion. Thus, Shah Abbas I rebuilt the mausoleum of Sheikh Sheikh Shihab-al-din in Ahar.[9]
Ahar suffered enormously during the Russo-Persian War of 1804–1813 and Russo-Persian War of 1826–1828. Western travelers in 1837-1843 period had found Ahar, a city with around 700 households, in wretched condition. Their impression was that the Qajar princes, who were dispatched as the governors of Qaradagh hastened to collect as much wealth as possible before their removal.[10]
Ahar was one of the epicenters of Persian Constitutional Revolution due to the involvement of Arasbaran tribes in armed conflicts; the revolutionary and ati-revolutionary camps were headed, respectively, by Sattar Khan and Rahimkhan Chalabianloo, both from Qaradağ region. When in 1925 Rezā Shāh deposed Ahmad Shah Qajar and founded the Pahlavi dynasty, Ahar's gradual decline started. The new king insisted on ethnic nationalism and cultural unitarism and implemented his policies with forced detribalization and sedentarization. He renamed Qaradağ as Arasbaran to deny the Turkic identity of the inhabitants. This policy, in particular, resulted in suppression of ethnic Azeris.[11]
For further information on the history of Ahar and Arasbaran region one may consult the following scholarly books (all in Persian language):
- H. Bayburdi "The history of Arasbaran",[12]
- Ḥusayn Dūstī, "The history and geography of Arasbaran",[13]
- N. Sedqi, "The contemporary political and social history of Arasbaran",[14]
- S.R. Alemohammad, "The book of Arasbaran".[15]
Two concise English language articles are the following:
Demographics
editPopulation
editAt the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 85,782 in 20,844 households.[18] The following census in 2011 counted 92,608 people in 24,810 households.[19] The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 100,641 people in 30,129 households.[2]
Overview
edit
In the wake of the Russo-Persian War (1804–13) and with 3,500 inhabitants, Ahar was the only city of Qaradağ.[20] Around the mid-1830s, the population was estimated to be from five to six thousand inhabitants in about 600 houses.[21] By 1956 the population had increased to 19,816.[22] At the 2016 census, its population had increased to over 100,000.[2] Despite this population boom, the city has been losing its former importance to the much smaller neighboring Kaleybar, as the latter is gaining nationwide fame as a tourist destination.
Climate
edit| Climate data for Ahar(normals and extremes 1991-2020) elevation:1391 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 17.4 (63.3) |
21.0 (69.8) |
26.4 (79.5) |
31.0 (87.8) |
33.6 (92.5) |
39.0 (102.2) |
39.4 (102.9) |
40.0 (104.0) |
35.4 (95.7) |
30.3 (86.5) |
23.2 (73.8) |
20.5 (68.9) |
40.0 (104.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 4.2 (39.6) |
5.8 (42.4) |
11.0 (51.8) |
16.6 (61.9) |
21.7 (71.1) |
26.5 (79.7) |
28.6 (83.5) |
28.7 (83.7) |
25.0 (77.0) |
19.5 (67.1) |
11.6 (52.9) |
6.5 (43.7) |
17.1 (62.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −0.5 (31.1) |
0.7 (33.3) |
5.1 (41.2) |
10.3 (50.5) |
15.0 (59.0) |
19.6 (67.3) |
22.4 (72.3) |
22.1 (71.8) |
18.0 (64.4) |
12.6 (54.7) |
5.9 (42.6) |
1.6 (34.9) |
11.1 (51.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −4.7 (23.5) |
−3.6 (25.5) |
0.1 (32.2) |
4.6 (40.3) |
8.6 (47.5) |
12.4 (54.3) |
15.7 (60.3) |
15.5 (59.9) |
11.8 (53.2) |
7.1 (44.8) |
1.4 (34.5) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
5.5 (42.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −23.2 (−9.8) |
−20.5 (−4.9) |
−18.4 (−1.1) |
−15.8 (3.6) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
2.6 (36.7) |
7.8 (46.0) |
7.0 (44.6) |
1.5 (34.7) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
−16.6 (2.1) |
−19.2 (−2.6) |
−23.2 (−9.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 18.3 (0.72) |
21.1 (0.83) |
33.8 (1.33) |
45.0 (1.77) |
48.3 (1.90) |
22.6 (0.89) |
8.6 (0.34) |
6.2 (0.24) |
11.0 (0.43) |
24.5 (0.96) |
27.5 (1.08) |
19.5 (0.77) |
286.4 (11.26) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 4.1 | 4.8 | 6.5 | 8.2 | 8.9 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 2 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 4 | 53.9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 65 | 64 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 53 | 49 | 49 | 57 | 59 | 64 | 64 | 59 |
| Average dew point °C (°F) | −6.9 (19.6) |
−6.0 (21.2) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
1.7 (35.1) |
6.2 (43.2) |
8.6 (47.5) |
10.2 (50.4) |
9.9 (49.8) |
8.1 (46.6) |
3.6 (38.5) |
−1.4 (29.5) |
−5.2 (22.6) |
2.2 (35.9) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 168 | 164 | 179 | 188 | 248 | 301 | 312 | 304 | 256 | 211 | 167 | 162 | 2,660 |
| Source: NOAA NCEI[23] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Ahar(1986-2010 normals) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 3.3 (37.9) |
4.9 (40.8) |
10.0 (50.0) |
16.3 (61.3) |
21.0 (69.8) |
25.9 (78.6) |
28.1 (82.6) |
28.3 (82.9) |
24.8 (76.6) |
19.0 (66.2) |
11.6 (52.9) |
6.1 (43.0) |
16.6 (61.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −0.8 (30.6) |
0.4 (32.7) |
4.8 (40.6) |
10.4 (50.7) |
14.6 (58.3) |
19.0 (66.2) |
21.8 (71.2) |
21.9 (71.4) |
18.1 (64.6) |
13.1 (55.6) |
6.6 (43.9) |
1.9 (35.4) |
11.0 (51.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −4.9 (23.2) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
4.5 (40.1) |
8.2 (46.8) |
12.1 (53.8) |
15.4 (59.7) |
15.4 (59.7) |
11.5 (52.7) |
7.1 (44.8) |
1.6 (34.9) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
5.3 (41.6) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 16.8 (0.66) |
19.1 (0.75) |
32.9 (1.30) |
45.2 (1.78) |
48.9 (1.93) |
23.8 (0.94) |
6.7 (0.26) |
6.2 (0.24) |
12.7 (0.50) |
26.9 (1.06) |
26.4 (1.04) |
19.6 (0.77) |
285.2 (11.23) |
| Average snowy days | 8.0 | 8.2 | 7.6 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 6.8 | 36.6 |
| Average dew point °C (°F) | −7.0 (19.4) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−3.4 (25.9) |
1.5 (34.7) |
5.7 (42.3) |
8.6 (47.5) |
10.5 (50.9) |
11.0 (51.8) |
7.7 (45.9) |
3.4 (38.1) |
−1.4 (29.5) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
2.1 (35.7) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 158.6 | 162.9 | 173.3 | 179.3 | 246.7 | 292.7 | 311.6 | 298.5 | 252.6 | 204.1 | 161.5 | 155.8 | 2,597.6 |
| Source: IRIMO(Temperatures)[24](Precipitation)[25] | |||||||||||||
Economy
edit_Rug_2.jpg)
Until the early 1960s Ahar was the economic hub of Arasbaran region. Arasbaran nomadic tribes bartered their produce in Ahar's bazaar. The charcoal produced in villages adjacent to Arasbaran forests was carried by muleteers to Ahar and from there was transported to Tabriz. In addition, Ahar was a distribution center for the Arasbaran rug. The gradual settlement of nomads, widespread use of fossil fuels, changing life-styles, and establishment of new marketplaces such as Kaleybar through facilitated transportation, have diminished Ahar's economical importance.
Tourism
editThe main tourist site in the city is the mausoleum of Sheikh Shaabe-deen, who was the teacher of Safi-ad-din Ardabili, the founder of the family of Safavid dynasty. The monument has been described by James Morier in early nineteenth century as the following, "The mausoleum is of brick, with a foundation of stone, and faced by an elevated portico, flanked by two minors or pillars encrusted with green tiles. A little wooden door was opened for us in the back of the building, which introduced us into the spot that contained the tomb of the Sheikh, which was enclosed by a stone railing, carved into open work, and surrounded by a sculptured arabesque ornament, of very good taste. The tomb is distinguished by a marble cover, on which is an Arabic inscription in relieve.".[29]
Notable people
edit- Sattar Khan, leader of the constitutionalist rebels, considered the national hero of Iran[30][31][32][33][34][35]
- Amir Arshad, military commander and leader of the Haji-Alilu tribe[36][37]
- Vahid Najafi Nakhjevanlou (born 1988), writer, researcher and environmental activist[38]
Gallery
edit
See also
edit
Notes
edit- ^ Azerbaijani: اهر[3]
References
edit- ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (1 September 2024). "Ahar, Ahar County" (Map). OpenStreetMap (in Persian). Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016): East Azerbaijan Province. amar.org.ir (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ Ahar can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3051923" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
- ^ Habibi, Hassan (c. 2021) [Approved 21 June 1369]. Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of the national divisions of East Azerbaijan province, centered in the city of Tabriz. qavanin.ir (Report) (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Defense Political Commission of the Government Council. Resolution 93808/T907. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2024 – via Laws and Regulations Portal of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
- ^ "شهرداری اهر :: Ahar Muiciple - فرهنگ و آداب و رسوم". Archived from the original on 10 April 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- ^ Minorsky, Vladimir (1951), "The Georgian Maliks of Ahar." BSOAS vol. 13/4, pp. 868-77.
- ^ a b Yaqut ibn 'Abd Allah al-Rumi al-Hamawi, Charles Adrien Casimir Barbier de Meynard, Dictionnaire géographique, historique et littéraire de la Perse et des contrees adjacentes, 1851, Paris, p. 57
- ^ نزهةالقلوب ، حمداله مستوفی ، به کوشش محمد دبیر سیاقی ، انتشارات کتابخانه طهوری ، چاپ اول ، تهران ، ۱۳۳۶، ص. ۹۵.
- ^ Kishwar Rizvi, The Safavid Dynastic Shrine: Architecture, Religion and Power in Early ..., 2011, I.B.Tauris, p. 161
- ^ Richard Tappe, Frontier Nomads of Iran: A Political and Social History of the Shahsevan, 1997, Cambridge University Press, p. 171
- ^ Abrahamian, Ervand (1982). Iran Between Two Revolutions. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. pp. 123–163. ISBN 9780691053424. OCLC 7975938.
- ^ سرهنگ حسین بایبوردی، "تاریخ ارسباران"، ابن سینا، تهران ۱۳۴۱
- ^ حسین دوستی، تاریخ و جغرافیای ارسباران,انتشارات احرار,تبریز,1373
- ^ ناصر صدقی،تاریخ اجتماعى و سیاسى ارسباران (قره داغ) در دوره معاصر، ۱۳۸۸، تبریز، نشر اختر.
- ^ سیدرضا آلمحمد، نامه ارسباران، ۱۳۹۱، تهران، کتابخانه موزه و اسناد مجلس شورای اسلامی.
- ^ Oberling, Pierre. "The Tribes of Qarāca Dāġ: A Brief History." Oriens 17 (1964): 60-95
- ^ "Encyclopædia Iranica | Articles". www.iranicaonline.org. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011.
- ^ Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006): East Azerbaijan Province. amar.org.ir (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011): East Azerbaijan Province. irandataportal.syr.edu (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022 – via Iran Data Portal, Syracuse University.
- ^ Bibliothèque orientale Elzévirienne, Volume 52; Volume 55, 1887 p.224.
- ^ Robert Mignan, A Winter Journey Through Russia, the Caucasian Alps, and Georgia: Thence ..., Vol. 1, 1839, London
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "World Meteorological Organization climate normals for 1991-2020: Ahar" (CSV). ncei.noaa.gov. NOAA. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "STATION AHAR (40704) I.R OF IRAN METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION (IRIMO) FORM 5". Chaharmahalmet. IRIMO. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- "AVERAGE OF MINIMUM TEMPERATURE IN C. STATION AHAR (40704)". Chaharmahalmet. IRIMO. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - "AVERAGE OF MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE IN C.STATION AHAR (40704)". Chaharmahalmet. IRIMO. Archived from the original on 17 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
- "AVERAGE OF MINIMUM TEMPERATURE IN C. STATION AHAR (40704)". Chaharmahalmet. IRIMO. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "MONTHLY TOTAL OF PRECIPITATION IN MM. STATION AHAR (40704)". IRIMO. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "NO. OF DAYS WITH SNOW OR SLEET STATION AHAR (40704)". IRIMO. Archived from the original on 1 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "MONTHLY TOTAL OF SUNSHINE HOURS STATION AHAR (40704)". IRIMO. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "AVERAGE OF DEW POINT TEMPERATURE IN C. STATION AHAR (40704)". IRIMO. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ James Morier, A second journey through Persia, Armenia, and Asia Minor, to Constantinople ..., 1818, p. 234
- ^ Ervand Abrahamian, Iran Between Two Revolutions, Princeton University Press, 1982 p.97
- ^ اسماعيل اميرخيزى، قيام آذربايجان و ستار خان، ۱۹۶۰، كتابفروشى تهران
- ^ حسین دوستى، "حماسه ها و حماسه سازان انقلاب مشروطيت: با تاءکید بر نقش مردم ارسباران (قره داغ)"، باران، ۲۰۰۶
- ^ نصرت الله فتحى،"ديدار همرزم ستارخان" ،گوتنبرگ ۱۹۷۳
- ^ پناهى سمنانى، "ستار خان: سردار ملى ونهضت مشروطه"، ۱۹۹۷، کتاب نمونه.
- ^ رحيم رئيسنيا، عبد الحسين ناهيد،"دو مبارز جنبش مشروطه: ستار خان، محمد خيابانى", ۱۹۷۰، انتشارات آگاه.
- ^ "امیر ارشد کوتاه در باره امیر ارشد قره داغی | قره داغ تورکلری – سایت سرگرمی تفریحی اهر". Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- ^ Stephanie Cronin, 'The Making of Modern Iran: State and Society Under Riza Shah, 1921-1941', 2007, p. 207
- ^ آسیا, روزنامه. "وحید نجفی نخجوانلو، پژوهشگر و نویسنده برتر جغرافیای سیاسی ایران". روزنامه آسیا (in Persian). Retrieved 2 September 2024.