article

Shirāz (شیراز in Persian) is a city in southwest Iran (Persia).

Its elevation is 1486 metres above sea level amidst the Zagros Mountains, and it is the capital of Fars Province. The city had an estimated population of 1,255,955 in 2005.*

Shiraz was the capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1794, after which the Qajar dynasty moved the capital to Tehran, as well as briefly during the Saffavid period.*

It is known as the city of Poetry and Roses. It has a moderate climate and has been a regional trade center for more than a thousand years.

Geography

Official Website: www.ShirazCity.org

Shirāz is located in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains in about 29° N, 52° E and elevation of about 1600 meters (5200 ft).

In relation to its neighboring provinces, Yazd and Khouzestan, Shirāz has a more moderate climate, with warm/hot summers and mild winters.

The city's economic base is in its provincial products: it produces grapes, citrus fruits, cotton and rice.

In Shirāz itself, industries such as cement production, sugar, fertilizer, textile products, wood products, metalwork and rugs dominate.

Shirāz is also a major center for Iran's electronic industries and has a major oil refinery as well.

Shirāz is famous for its carpet production and flowers as well. It is also believed that the name of the Shiraz grape originates from here as well (although the grape itself has been shown, through genetic testing, to have originated in France.)

Attractions of Shiraz

Major popular attractions in Shirāz include:

Image:Vakeel-mosque.jpg|Shirāz was once capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty. Seen here is the Vakeel Mosque. Image:Ghavam garden shiraz.jpg|Shiraz was once world famous for its many gardens and aromatic flowers. The Ghavam House Garden is one of few remaining gardens still to be found today. Image:Nasirolmolk arcade.jpg|Shirazi Qajar era architecture: The arcade of Nasir al-Molk mosque. Image:Shirazu.gif|Shiraz University Central Library overlooks the city of Shiraz.

Nearby Shiraz are located:

and more than 200 other sites of historical significance, according to Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.

History of Shiraz

Shiraz is most likely more than 3000 years old. The earliest reference to the city date back to approximately 2000 B.C. The ancient Elamite name for this city was written Tiraziš. This was according to Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC found in June of 1970 while digging to make a kiln for a brick making factory in SW corner of the city. Phonetically, this is interpreted as /tiračis/ or /ćiračis/. This name became Old Persian /širājiš/; through regular sound change comes the modern Persian name Shirāz. The name Shiraz also appears on clay sealings found at Qasr-i Abu Nasr, a Sassanid ruin, east of the city, (2nd century A.D.) . Incidentally the oldest sample of wine in the world dating to approximately 7000 years ago was also discovered on clay jars recovered outside of Shiraz.

Image:Zand citadel wall.jpg|The Zand Citadel is another remnant of the Zand era in downtown Shiraz. Image:4rah zand shiraz.jpg|Scene from the bustling "Zand Blvd" in downtown Shiraz. Image:Afif abad.jpg|Afif abad garden is yet another example of late Qajarid era architecture in Shiraz, and a fine example of Persian gardens. Image:Nasirolmolk colors.jpg|Qajarid era architecture of Shiraz.

Fars province is home to three capitals in Persian history. The ruins of Persepolis, about 2500 years old, are found about 60 km northeast of Shiraz, as a witness to the ancient glory of the Achaemenid empire. Persepolis, Firouzabad, and Pasargadae are nearby ancient cynosures of this ancient civilization.

We know of Shiraz during the Sassanid era, (2nd to 6th century A.D.) as has been written in p126 of Hudud ul-'alam min al-mashriq ila al-maghrib, where two fire temples and a fortress called "Shahmobad" are reported. Hamdollah Mostowfi also verifies the existence of pre-Islamic settlements in Shiraz in his Nozhat ol-Qolub, p112. Shirāz as a city however began to grow in the 7th century when the power of the former regional capital Istakhr was broken by the Arabs. The major events during and after the Islamic conquest of Iran are:

  • 640-653: Fars falls to the Arab armies of Umar. Shiraz in 641. Estakhr in 653.
  • 650-869: Seat of the Arab government of Fars
  • c800: Shiraz scholar Sibawayhi publishes his writings forming the basis of Arabic Grammer.
  • 869: Saffarian leader Yaqub Leis captures Shiraz.
  • c870: Amr-o-Leis Saffari (Yaqub's brother) builds a mosque in Shiraz, that is still standing today (Masjed Jaume).
  • 933: Shiraz is Capital of the Buyid dynasty. Becomes cultural center under Emmad-al-dowleh, first Buyid Amir.
  • c950: Subterranean canal made in the mountains to bring fresh water to the city by Rokn-al-dawleh, Emmad's brother. The stream (called Abeh Rokni) still runs today, and is immortalized in poetry of Shiraz.
  • c1000: First wall built around Shiraz due to attacks by Saljuq Turks. City is eventually captured and ruined by Saljuqs.
  • c1050: Saljuqs fall in love with Shiraz. City rebuilt to splendor by Saljuq Attabak Jalal-ed-din and his sons.
  • c1100: Shiraz becomes capital of the Songhorid dynasty of Turkish origin (Attabak-ane Fars).
  • c1105: A wall restored to encircles the city with Eight gates.
  • c1110: Hannafie sect of the Sunni Muslims rule the region from Shiraz. Although Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism are still freely practiced among a large minority in the city and the region.
  • c1115: Shiraz is a center of the pious and the Jurists of the nation. Number of religious shrines ae built, many of which are still standing, among them: Masjid Atiq, Masjid Now.
  • c1120: Arab historian Ibn-Bataututa visits Shiraz and documents a great city, rich with gardens, streams, bazzars, and cleanly clothed people.
  • c1128: Sheikh Ruzbeh establishes own Sufi sect in Shiraz.
  • c1150-1195: Dynastic feuds and a famine ruins the city.
  • 1195: Saad ibn Zangi establishes rule and restores the city.
  • c1200 Moaref-al-Din Mosal-leha chooses the pen name SAADI in the honor of the fair ruler Saad ibn Zangi.
  • c1280 Shiraz saved from Mongol invasion by diplomacy of Abu Bakr ibn Saad.
  • 1281: Grave site of Ahmad-ibn-Musa (son of the 7th imam of the shiites) is identified by Amir Moqarrab-alDin a Vazir of Abu Bakr.
  • 1282: A shrine built on the grave site which. Today it is a holiest site in the city, (shah-e-Cheragh)
  • 1284: Mongol rule ruins the city by high taxes, corruption and feuds.
  • 1287: Drought and Famine kills approximately 100,000 people in Shiraz.
  • 1297: Measels and Plague kill another 50,000 people in Shiraz and surrounding area.
  • 1297: Female ruler Aubee Khatton and her daughter Kurdujin save lives and the city by their charitable foundations.
  • c1300: Enju dynasty takes over and rebuilds heavily but eventually their in-fighting ruins the city again.
  • 1325: Il-Khanid period. Their rule is marked by warfare and destruction.
  • 1353: Mozzafarid tribe captures Shiraz.
  • 1357-84: Shah Shoja's reign revives the city.
  • 1360: HAFEZ is patronized by Shah Shoja and settles in Bage-Mossalla where he establishes a great following.
  • 1382: Shah Shoja bribes Timur's army with gifts and saves the city from Pillage again.
  • 1387: Shirāz is occupied for a short period by Timur.
  • 1393: Timur occupies Shirāz for the second time.
  • c1400: Shiraz is known as the city of SAADI and HAFEZ. Their tombs, still intact today, become shrines.
  • c1410: Mongols and Turkmen settle in Shiraz and join the previous invadors as rebuilders of the beautiful city.
  • 1470: Shiraz is capital of the Turkmen Auq-Qoyunlu tribe. Prospers with a population of 200,000.
  • 1503: Saffavid ruler Shah Ismaeel captures Shiraz and kills most Sunni leaders to promote Shiism.
  • c1550: Allah-verdi Khan and his son Emam-Qoli-Khan governers of the Saffavid rebuild city.
  • 1575: Shiite shrines are built. Many are still standing, Madrese Khan,
  • c1600: Shiraz wine discovered by the British and reported to be one of the best in the world.
  • 1621: British and French merchants frequent the city. Grapes are taken to Europe.
  • 1630: A flood destroys large parts of the town.
  • 1668: Another flood hits Shirāz.
  • 1724: Shirāz is sacked by Afghan invaders.
  • 1744: Nader Shah captures Shiraz. Large sections of the city destroyed during wars.
  • 1760: Karim Khan Zand moves to Shiraz and takes the title People's Representative, (Vakil-ol-Roaya). He establishes the Zand Dynasty.
  • 1766: Shirāz becomes capital of the Zand dynasty. City is rebuilt. Structured into 11 quarters (10 Muslim and one Jewish) with Six gates. Huge moat and wall surround the city. Arts and minorities flourish.
  • 1791: End of the Zand dynasty, and Shirāz' status as capital.
  • 1794: Shiraz captured by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, pillaged and destroyed.
  • c1800: Decline of the city
  • 1822: Plague and Cholera epidemics kill thousands.
  • 1824: An earthquake destroys parts of the town.
  • 1830: Plague of locusts destroys the ariculture and creats famine. Population decreases to only about 19000 by diseases and outmigration.
  • 1853: Another major earthquake hits Shirāz.
  • c1860: British influence prevails in southern Iran and Shiraz. The British are actively opposed by the native Qashaqi tribes in the mountians outside the city.
  • c1880: Qavam family suppresses local unrests with the help of the British Indian Rifelmen.
  • 1883: First official census shows a population of 53,607.
  • 1907: Soore-Esrafil, the first widely circulated newspaper published by Mirza Jahangir Khan Shirazi. The paper supports the constitutional revolution.
  • 1908: Mirza Jahangir Khan is executed and his paper shut down.
  • 1918: Qashqai tribesmen with leader Naser Khan besiege the city. Central government power declines in Iran.
  • 1919: Influenza epidemic kills 10,000.
  • 1921: Qajar dynasty ends. Reza Shah Pahlavi takes over.
  • 1945: Shirāz University opens.

After the revolution, the authorities renovated many sites in the city and rebuilt the Shiraz International Airport

Agriculture has always been a major part of the economy in and around Shiraz. This is partially due to a relative abundance of water compared to the surrounding deserts. The Gardens of Shiraz and "Evenings of Shiraz" are famous throughout Iran and the middle east. The moderate climate and the beauty of the city has made it a major tourist attraction.

Shiraz is also home to many Jews who are mostly into jewelry business.

Shiraz in poetry

Baba Taher

شوم یک سر برونم تا به شیراز
که در هر منزلم صد آشنایی

"Straight to Shiraz I will flee,
a hundred friends I'll find at every stop."

Hafez, "The Nightingale of Shiraz"

خوشا شیراز و وضع بی مثالش
خداوندا نگهدار از زوالش

"Pleasant is Shiraz and its incomparable state.
Oh lord, preserve it from decline!"

شیراز و آب رکنی و این باد خوش نسیم
عیبش مکن که خال رخ هفت کشور است

"Shiraz and the water of Roknabad, and this pleasant breeze,
Fault it not! For it is the beauty of seven nations."

Image:Hafez tomb.jpg|The mausoleum of Hafez attracts millions of visitors yearly. Not far, is the tomb of Shah Shoja, his patron. Image:Saadi.jpg|The tomb and mausoleum of the famous mystic poet Sa'di. Image:Darvazeh qoran shiraz.jpg|Above the Quaran gate, buried in the rocks is Khwaju Kermani, another mystic poet of Shiraz. Image:Ibn khafeef tomb.jpg|The tomb of the 9th century sage Ibn Khafif is today a public library and gathering place for youngsters.

Research and Education

Shiraz is home to excellent academic community.

The major universities in or nearby Shirāz today are:

Transportation

Shiraz is accessible via freeways to Isfahan, roadways to Bushehr, and air. A metro system is being built by the Shiraz urban railway organization

Airports

Notable people

References

External links

Cities in Iran | Iranian provincial capitals

شيراز | Шираз | Schiraz | Ŝirazo | شیراز | Chiraz | Shiraz | Shiraz (Iran) | シーラーズ | Sziraz | Xiraz | Shiraz

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Shiraz, Iran".

Home Page • arts • business • computers • games • health • hospitals • home • kids & teens • news • physicians • recreation• reference • regional • science • shopping • society • sports • world