History of Shiraz

Shiraz is most likely more than 4000 years old. The earliest reference to the city is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC, found in June 1970, while digging to make a kiln for a brick making factory in SW corner of the city. The tablets written in ancient Elamite, name a city called "Tiraziš". [Cameron, George G. "Persepolis Treasury Tablets", University of Chicago Press, 1948, pp. 115.] 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.) . As early as the 11th century several hundred thousand people inhabited Shiraz. Its size has decreased through the ages. 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. [^ World's Earliest Wine. Archeology, vol. 49 (1996), Retrieved 24 February 2004.] .

pārs Province is home to three capitals in Persian history. The massive ruins of the Persian Empire's grand palace Persepolis, about 2500 years old, are 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: Fārs falls to the Arab armies of Umar. Shiraz in 641. Estakhr in 653.
*650-869: Seat of the Arab government of Fārs. Controlled from Baghdad with very limited Persian activity. Other towns in the region decline as Shiraz grows with new immigrants. Turkish tribes are brought to the region to serve as soldiers in the Arab army. Descendents of these tribes form ruling dynasties of the region in the next several centuries.
*790: Shiraz scholar Sibawayh publishes his writings. This is the first formal basis of Arabic Grammar [Owens, J. The Foundations of Grammar: An introduction to Medieval Arabic Grammatical Theory. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company 1988. ISBN 90-272-4528-2.] .
*869: Saffarid dynasty leader Yaqub Leis liberates Shiraz. Baghdad Caliphate rule weakened. Many Arabs and Turks in the city are eliminated but a significant number choose to stay in Shiraz, as they have adopted Persian culture.
*c870: Amr-o-Leis Saffari (Yaqub's brother) builds a mosque in Shiraz, that is still standing today (Masjed Jaume) [ [http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=10326 Friday Mosque of Shiraz ] ] .
*9th century: Shirazi wine is praised as the best of the Middle East.
*933: Shiraz is Capital of the Buwayhid dynasty. Becomes cultural center under Emmad-al-dowleh, first Buyid Amir.
*937: Buyids eventually bring down the Caliphate of Baghdad and Shiraz gains international prominence. Literature, scinece, art and culture are promoted. Religious minorities are treated well. Christaians, Jews and Zoroastrians are among the ministers and consultants of the Buyid Amirs.
*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 Seljuk Turks, (see also Turkmens). The Seljuks were supported by the Damascuss based remainder of the Caliphate, against the Buyids.
*c1010: Over the next 50 years this war, as well as internal feuds among the Buyids destroys much of the city.
*1062: City is eventually captured by Seljuks, However, to the dismay of the Caliphate, the new rulers quickly adopt the Persian culture and many settle in Shiraz. The Seljuks actually become great patrons of Persian art and culture, as they build a great empire.
*c1075: Shiraz is rebuilt to splendor by Seljuk Attabak Jalal-ed-din and his sons. Development attracts new immigrants from all corners of Persia, as well as Central Asia.
*1090: Revolts within the Seljuk army are prompted and supported by Damascuss and Baghdad as the First Crusade weakens the Seljuk military might, and empire. Successful rebels in Shiraz are the Songhorid Turks.
*1100: Shiraz becomes capital of the Songhorid dynasty of Turkish origin (Attabak-ane Fars).
*1100: Although they promote Sunni Islam on behalf of Baghdad, the Songhorid also eventually become die hard Persians. They settle in and rebuild Shiraz as their home.
*1105: A wall is restored to encircles the city with Eight gates. Influence of the Baghdad Caliphate is contained to mostly ceremonial terms.
*c1110: Hanafi 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. This tolerance promotes another migration wave into the city and the region. Many tribes of Turkish and Cacauss regions move to Shiraz, and surrounding areas. Many still live in the region (Qashqai, Lurs).
*c1115: Shiraz is a center of the pious and the Jurists of the nation. Number of religious shrines are built, many of which are still standing, among them: Masjid Atiq, Masjid Now.
*1170: Sheikh Ruzbehan (1128-1209), establishes own Sufi sect in Shiraz.
*1150-1195: Decline of Shiraz as dynastic feuds among the various ruling tribes and a famine ruin the city.
*1195: Saad ibn Zangi, a local Attabak, establishes rule and restores the city.
*c1200 Moaref-al-Din Mosal-leha (1184-1291) chooses the pen name Saadi in the honor of the fair ruler Saad ibn Zangi.
*1280 Shiraz saved from Mongol invasion by diplomacy of Abu Bakr ibn Saad. Genghis Khan is so enamoured by the Persian ruler that names him Ktlug Khan and considers him a friend.
*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, during excavation for a palace.
*1282: A shrine is built on the grave site. Today it is the holiest Muslim site in the city and the region, (Shah Cheragh).
*1284: Decline of Shiraz due to the high Taxes imposed by Mongols. Corruption and feuds resume.
*1287: Drought and Famine kills approximately 100,000 people in Shiraz. [Wassaf, 'Abd Allah b. Fadl Allah, "Tajziyat al-amsar wa-tazjiyat al-a'sar", known also as "Ta'rikh-i Wassaf" (written by 1327) Ed. ‘Abd al–Muhammad Ayati, Tahrir-i ta'rikh-i Wassaf. Intisharat i-Bunyad-i Farhang-i Iran, Tehran, §1346/1967, pp. 106-128.]
*1291: Saadi dies and is buried in his garden next to an artesian well. Currently the beautiful gardens are a major tourist attraction, with a still flowing well and stream next to Saadi's tomb.
*1297: Measels and Plague kill another 50,000 people in Shiraz and surrounding area. [Wassaf, 'Abd Allah b. Fadl Allah. "Tajziyat al-amsar wa-tazjiyat al-a'sar", known also as "Ta'rikh-i Wassaf" (written by 1327) Ed. ‘Abd al–Muhammad Ayati, Tahrir-i ta'rikh-i Wassaf. Intisharat i-Bunyad-i Farhang-i Iran, Tehran, §1346/1967, pp. 359.]
*1297: Female ruler Aubee Khatton and her daughter Kurdujin save lives and the city by their charitable foundations. They were Songhorid matrons who had married into the Mongols.
*1304: Injuids dynasty takes over and rebuild Shiraz, but their in-fighting eventually causes more destruction..
*1325: Ilkhanate period. Their rule is marked by warfare and destruction.
*1353: Muzaffarids rulers captures Shiraz. Once again Shiraz is the capital for Persia.
*c1350: Traveller Ibn Battuta visits Shiraz and documents a great city, rich with gardens, streams, bazzars, and cleanly clothed people.
*1357: Muzaffarid Shah Shuja takes reign and revives the city.
*1360: Hafez (1310-1380) is patronized by Shah Shuja and settles in Bage-Mossalla where he establishes a great following. His tomb in the same garden is a revered and major tourist attraction for world travellers and Iranians alike.
*1382: Shah Shuja gives Timur's army with gifts and saves the city from Pillage again.*1384: After the death of Shah Shuja in-fighting flares up among the Muzaffarids and leads to several battles in Shiraz and eventual city decline.
*1387: Shirāz is occupied for a short period by Timur.
*1393: Timur occupies Shirāz for the second time and spent a month there "rejoicing and feasting" [Grousset René, The Empire of the Steppes, a history of Central Asia, Page 433] . He appoints his grandson who has adopted the Persian culture as governor. Rebuilding of the city resumes.
*1400: Shiraz is known as the city of SAADI and HAFEZ. Their tombs, still intact today, become shrines.
*1410: Shiraz prospers with a population of 200,000. For a few years it is the capital of the Turkmen Aq Qoyunlu rulers.
*1470: Mongols and Turkmen, the invadors, are soon ousted from the city.
*1503: Saffavid ruler Shah Ismaeel captures Shiraz and kills or exiles most Sunni leaders to promote Shiism.
*1550: Allah-verdi Khan and his son Emam-Qoli-Khan governors of the Saffavid rebuild city.
*1575: Shiite followers grow in numbers, schools and shrines are built. Many are still standing, Madrese Khan.
*c1590: Period of relative prosperity. Arts flourish. Shiraz artists and craftsmen are famous and utilized worldwide. See Taj Mahal
*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.
*1634: Mulla Sadra, a well known philosopher from Shiraz is prosecuted for heretical writings and opinions. He promotes the idea of a free thinking Moslem and writes against the practice of blindly following the edicts of the clergy (Thaghlid).
*1668: Another flood hits Shirāz.
*1724: Shirāz is sacked by Afghan invaders.
*1744: Nader Shah of the Afsharid dynasty captures Shiraz. Large sections of the city destroyed during wars.
* 1747-1800: Three way power struggle in Iran between Afsharid dynasty, Zand, and the Qajars
*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). Huge moat and wall surround the city, with six gates. Culture, 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.
*1800: Decline of the city under the Qajar dynasty
*1822: Plague and Cholera epidemics kill thousands.
*1824: An earthquake destroys parts of the town.
*1830: Plague of locusts destroys the crops, local agriculture and creates famine. Tens of thousands die and many more move out of the city. Population decreases to only about 19000 by diseases and outmigration.
*1844: A young merchant, Sayyid `Alí Muhammad and given the title of 'The Báb' (Arabic, meaning 'The Gate'), declared His Messianic mission and founded the Bábí Faith.
*1853: Another major earthquake hits Shirāz.
*1860: British influence prevails in southern Iran and Shiraz. The British are actively opposed by the native Qashqai tribes in the mountains outside the city.
*1880: Qavam family suppresses local unrests with the help of the British Indian Rifelmen.
*1883: First official census shows a population of 53,607.
*1907: "Sur-e Esrafil", a widely circulated newspaper published in Shiraz by Mirza Jahangir Khan Shirazi, supports the Persian Constitutional Revolution. Qashqai leaders support Mirza Jahangir Khan in revolt against the government.
*1908: Mirza Jahangir Khan is executed and his paper shut down.
*1910: Shiraz blood libel: local people destroy the entire Jewish quarter during a pogrom
*1911: Seyyed Zia'eddin Tabatabaee, a local shiite leader publishes newspaper Banaye-Islam with the help of the British consulate in Shiraz.
*1918: Qashqai tribesmen with leader Naser Khan besiege the city. Central government power declines in Iran. British influence increases with the discovery of oil. They help local associates to suppress tribal revolts throughout the region.
*1919: Influenza epidemic kills 10,000. Iran is falling apart with Russian and British invasions from the north and south respectively. Shiraz belongs to the British.
*1921: Qajar dynasty ends. Reza Shah Pahlavi takes over, with Seyyed Zia'eddin Tabatabaee at his side.
*1945: Shirāz University opens.
*2005: Census reports show a population of 1,255,955.
*2005: Farshid Kazemi joined Pithawalla Group

Recently many historical sites in the city were renovated. The [http://shirazairport.ir/index1.htm Shiraz International Airport] is expanded.

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 Iranian Jews, although most have immigrated to the United States and Israel in the last half of the twentieth century, particularly after the Islamic Revolution. Along with Tehran and Esfahan Shiraz is one of the handful of Iranian cities with sizable Jewish populations and more than one active synagogue.

References