Mashhad ( fa, مشهد, Mašhad ), also spelled Mashad,
is the
second-most-populous city in
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...
, located in the relatively remote north-east of the country about from
Tehran
Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is the most popul ...
. It serves as the capital of
Razavi Khorasan Province and has a population of 3,001,184 (2016 census), which includes the areas of Mashhad Taman and
Torqabeh
Torqabeh ( fa, طرقبه, also Romanized as Ţorqabeh, Ţoroqbeh, and Torqebeh; also known as Targhobeh) is a city and capital of Torqabeh and Shandiz County, in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 13,158, in 3, ...
.
The city has been governed by different ethnic groups over the course of its history. Mashhad was once a major oasis along the ancient
Silk Road connecting with
Merv
Merv ( tk, Merw, ', مرو; fa, مرو, ''Marv''), also known as the Merve Oasis, formerly known as Alexandria ( grc-gre, Ἀλεξάνδρεια), Antiochia in Margiana ( grc-gre, Ἀντιόχεια ἡ ἐν τῇ Μαργιανῇ) and ...
to the east. It enjoyed relative prosperity in the Mongol period. The city is named after the shrine of
Imam Reza, the eighth
Shia Imam
In Shia Islam, the Imamah ( ar, إمامة) is a doctrine which asserts that certain individuals from the lineage of the Islamic prophet Muhammad are to be accepted as leaders and guides of the ummah after the death of Muhammad. Imamah further ...
, who was buried in a village in
Khorasan which afterward gained the name, meaning the "place of
martyrdom
A martyr (, ''mártys'', "witness", or , ''marturia'', stem , ''martyr-'') is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an externa ...
". Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the
Imam Reza shrine. The
Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid
Abu Ja'far Harun ibn Muhammad al-Mahdi ( ar
, أبو جعفر هارون ابن محمد المهدي) or Harun ibn al-Mahdi (; or 766 – 24 March 809), famously known as Harun al-Rashid ( ar, هَارُون الرَشِيد, translit=Hārūn ...
is also buried within the same shrine.
Mashhad is also known colloquially as the city of
Ferdowsi, after the Iranian poet who composed the ''
Shahnameh
The ''Shahnameh'' or ''Shahnama'' ( fa, شاهنامه, Šāhnāme, lit=The Book of Kings, ) is a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c. 977 and 1010 CE and is the national epic of Greater Iran. Consisting of some 50 ...
''. The city is the hometown of some of the most significant Iranian literary figures and artists, such as the poet
Mehdi Akhavan-Sales
Mehdi Akhavān-Sāles, or Akhavān-Sāless ( fa, مهدی اخوان ثالث) (March 1, 1929 in Mashhad, Iran – August 26, 1990 in Tehran, Iran), pen name Mim. Omid ( fa, م. امید, meaning ''M. Hope'') was a prominent Iranian poet. He is ...
, and
Mohammad-Reza Shajarian
Mohammad-Reza Shajarian ( fa, محمدرضا شجريان; , 23 September 1940 – 8 October 2020) was an Iranian singer and master (''Ostad'') of Persian traditional music. He was also known for his skills in Persian calligraphy and humanitaria ...
, the traditional Iranian singer and composer. Ferdowsi and Akhavan-Sales are both buried in
Tus
Tus or TUS may refer to:
* Tus (biology), a protein that binds to terminator sequences
* Thales Underwater Systems, an international defence contractor
* Tuscarora language, an Iroquoian language, ISO 639-3 code
Education
* Technological Univ ...
, an
ancient city
A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...
that is considered to be the main origin of the current city of Mashhad. On 30 October 2009 (the anniversary of Imam Reza's martyrdom), Iran's then-President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared Mashhad to be "Iran's spiritual capital".
History
Etymology and early history
![Mashhad and merw on tabula Peutingeriana](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Mashhad_and_merw_on_tabula_Peutingeriana.png)
Ancient Greek sources mention the passage and residence of
Alexander the Great
Alexander III of Macedon ( grc, Ἀλέξανδρος, Alexandros; 20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He succeeded his father Philip II to ...
in this land, which was called "
Susia" ( grc, Σούσια), in 330 BC. The map of
Tabula Peutingeriana
' (Latin for "The Peutinger Map"), also referred to as Peutinger's Tabula or Peutinger Table, is an illustrated ' (ancient Roman road map) showing the layout of the '' cursus publicus'', the road network of the Roman Empire.
The map is a 13th-ce ...
, which dates back to the early
Roman era
In modern historiography, ancient Rome refers to Roman civilisation from the founding of the city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. It encompasses the Roman Kingdom (753–509 BC ...
, names this city on the west of
Merv
Merv ( tk, Merw, ', مرو; fa, مرو, ''Marv''), also known as the Merve Oasis, formerly known as Alexandria ( grc-gre, Ἀλεξάνδρεια), Antiochia in Margiana ( grc-gre, Ἀντιόχεια ἡ ἐν τῇ Μαργιανῇ) and ...
, Alexandria, instead of Susia.
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD 23/2479), called Pliny the Elder (), was a Roman author, naturalist and natural philosopher, and naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and a friend of the emperor Vespasian. He wrote the encyclopedic ' ...
, says there is a city in the middle of
Parthia
Parthia ( peo, 𐎱𐎼𐎰𐎺 ''Parθava''; xpr, 𐭐𐭓𐭕𐭅 ''Parθaw''; pal, 𐭯𐭫𐭮𐭥𐭡𐭥 ''Pahlaw'') is a historical region located in northeastern Greater Iran. It was conquered and subjugated by the empire of the Med ...
, near
Arsace and
Nisiaea, called "Alexandropolis" after its founder. Many Muslim historians, from the 10th to the 16th century AD, attribute the founding of "Sanaabad" (the old name of the city) to Alexander. Also in the
Shia
Shīʿa Islam or Shīʿīsm is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad designated ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib as his successor (''khalīfa'') and the Imam (spiritual and political leader) after him, mo ...
hadith
Ḥadīth ( or ; ar, حديث, , , , , , , literally "talk" or "discourse") or Athar ( ar, أثر, , literally "remnant"/"effect") refers to what the majority of Muslims believe to be a record of the words, actions, and the silent approva ...
sources, which the narrators connect to the 7th to 9th centuries AD, there are quotations that
Imam Ridha and
Harun al-Rashid
Abu Ja'far Harun ibn Muhammad al-Mahdi ( ar
, أبو جعفر هارون ابن محمد المهدي) or Harun ibn al-Mahdi (; or 766 – 24 March 809), famously known as Harun al-Rashid ( ar, هَارُون الرَشِيد, translit=Hārūn ...
are buried in a city founded by "The righteous servant, The two-horned one", which title that known for Alexander the Great.
The older name of Mashhad is Sanaabad (سناباد). It was eventually renamed to Mashhad during the
Safavid Empire. The name Mashhad comes from
Arabic
Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C. E.Watson; Walter ...
, meaning a
martyrium. It is also known as the place where
Ali ar-Ridha
Ali ibn Musa al-Rida ( ar, عَلِيّ ٱبْن مُوسَىٰ ٱلرِّضَا, Alī ibn Mūsā al-Riḍā, 1 January 766 – 6 June 818), also known as Abū al-Ḥasan al-Thānī, was a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and the e ...
(
Persian
Persian may refer to:
* People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language
** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples
** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...
, Imam Reza), the
eighth Imam
Ali ibn Musa al-Rida ( ar, عَلِيّ ٱبْن مُوسَىٰ ٱلرِّضَا, Alī ibn Mūsā al-Riḍā, 1 January 766 – 6 June 818), also known as Abū al-Ḥasan al-Thānī, was a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and the e ...
of Shia Muslims, died (according to the Shias, was martyred). Reza's shrine was placed there.
The ancient
Parthia
Parthia ( peo, 𐎱𐎼𐎰𐎺 ''Parθava''; xpr, 𐭐𐭓𐭕𐭅 ''Parθaw''; pal, 𐭯𐭫𐭮𐭥𐭡𐭥 ''Pahlaw'') is a historical region located in northeastern Greater Iran. It was conquered and subjugated by the empire of the Med ...
n city of
Patigrabanâ, mentioned in the
Behistun inscription (520 BCE) of the
Achaemenid
The Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenian Empire (; peo, 𐎧𐏁𐏂, , ), also called the First Persian Empire, was an ancient Iranian empire founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC. Based in Western Asia, it was contemporarily the largest emp ...
Emperor
Darius I, may have been located at the present-day Mashhad.
At the beginning of the 9th century (3rd century AH), Mashhad was a small city called Sanabad, which was situated away from
Tus
Tus or TUS may refer to:
* Tus (biology), a protein that binds to terminator sequences
* Thales Underwater Systems, an international defence contractor
* Tuscarora language, an Iroquoian language, ISO 639-3 code
Education
* Technological Univ ...
. There was a summer palace of
Humayd ibn Qahtaba
Humayd ibn Qahtaba ibn Shabib al-Ta'i () was a senior military leader in the early Abbasid Caliphate.
Biography
Humayd was the son of Qahtaba ibn Shabib al-Ta'i, who along with Abu Muslim led the Abbasid Revolution that toppled the Umayyad Cali ...
, the governor of
Khurasan. In 808, when
Harun al-Rashid
Abu Ja'far Harun ibn Muhammad al-Mahdi ( ar
, أبو جعفر هارون ابن محمد المهدي) or Harun ibn al-Mahdi (; or 766 – 24 March 809), famously known as Harun al-Rashid ( ar, هَارُون الرَشِيد, translit=Hārūn ...
,
Abbasid
The Abbasid Caliphate ( or ; ar, الْخِلَافَةُ الْعَبَّاسِيَّة, ') was the third caliphate to succeed the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It was founded by a dynasty descended from Muhammad's uncle, Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib ...
caliph
A caliphate or khilāfah ( ar, خِلَافَة, ) is an institution or public office under the leadership of an Islamic steward with the title of caliph (; ar, خَلِيفَة , ), a person considered a political-religious successor to th ...
, was passing through to quell the insurrection of
Rafi ibn al-Layth
Rāfiʿ ibn al Layth ibn Naṣr ibn Sayyār () was a Khurasani Arab noble who led a large-scale rebellion against the Abbasid Caliphate in 806–809.
He was the grandson of the last Umayyad governor of Khurasan, Nasr ibn Sayyar. His father Layth ...
in
Transoxania
Transoxiana or Transoxania (Land beyond the Oxus) is the Latin name for a region and civilization located in lower Central Asia roughly corresponding to modern-day eastern Uzbekistan, western Tajikistan, parts of southern Kazakhstan, parts of ...
, he became ill and died. He was buried under the palace of Humayd ibn Qahtaba. Thus the Dar al-Imarah was known as the Mausoleum of Haruniyyeh. In 818, Ali al-Ridha was martyred by
al-Ma'mun and was buried beside the grave of Harun.
Although Mashhad owns the cultural heritage of Tus (including its figures like
Nizam al-Mulk,
Al-Ghazali
Al-Ghazali ( – 19 December 1111; ), full name (), and known in Persian-speaking countries as Imam Muhammad-i Ghazali (Persian: امام محمد غزالی) or in Medieval Europe by the Latinized as Algazelus or Algazel, was a Persian poly ...
,
Ahmad Ghazali,
Ferdowsi,
Asadi Tusi
Abu Nasr Ali ibn Ahmad Asadi Tusi ( fa, ابونصر علی بن احمد اسدی طوسی; – 1073) was a Persian poet, linguist and author. He was born at the beginning of the 11th century in Tus, Iran, in the province of Khorasan, and died i ...
, and
Shaykh Tusi
Shaykh Tusi ( fa, شیخ طوسی), full name ''Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Hassan Tusi'' ( ar, ابو جعفر محمد بن حسن طوسی), known as Shaykh al-Taʾifah ( ar, links=no, شيخ الطائفة) was a prominent Persian scholar of the ...
), earlier
Arab
The Arabs (singular: Arab; singular ar, عَرَبِيٌّ, DIN 31635: , , plural ar, عَرَب, DIN 31635: , Arabic pronunciation: ), also known as the Arab people, are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in Western Asia, ...
geographers have correctly identified Mashhad and Tus as two separate cities that are now located about from each other.
Mongolian invasion: Ilkhanates
Although some believe that after this event, the city was called Mashhad al-Ridha (the place of martyrdom of al-Ridha), it seems that Mashhad, as a place-name, first appears in al-Maqdisi, i.e., in the last third of the 10th century. About the middle of the 14th century, the traveller Ibn Battuta uses the expression "town of Mashhad al-Rida". Towards the end of the Middle Ages, the name Nuqan, which is still found on coins in the first half of the 14th century under the
Il-Khanids, seems to have been gradually replaced by al-Mashhad or Mashhad.
Shias
Shīʿa Islam or Shīʿīsm is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad designated ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib as his successor (''khalīfa'') and the Imam (spiritual and political leader) after him, mos ...
began to make
pilgrimages
A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good, through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation, aft ...
to his grave. By the end of the 9th century, a dome was built above the grave, and many other buildings and
bazaars sprang up around it. Over the course of more than a millennium, it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. In 1161, however, the
Seljuks
The Seljuk dynasty, or Seljukids ( ; fa, سلجوقیان ''Saljuqian'', alternatively spelled as Seljuqs or Saljuqs), also known as Seljuk Turks, Seljuk Turkomans "The defeat in August 1071 of the Byzantine emperor Romanos Diogenes
by the Turk ...
seized the city, but they spared the sacred area their pillaging. Mashad al-Ridha was not considered a "great" city until
Mongol raids in 1220, which caused the destruction of many large cities in Khurasan but leaving Mashhad relatively intact in the hands of Mongolian commanders because of the cemetery of Ali Al-Rezza and Harun al-Rashid (the latter was stolen). Thus the survivors of the massacres migrated to Mashhad.
[Zabeth (1999) pp. 14–15.] When the
Arab
The Arabs (singular: Arab; singular ar, عَرَبِيٌّ, DIN 31635: , , plural ar, عَرَب, DIN 31635: , Arabic pronunciation: ), also known as the Arab people, are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in Western Asia, ...
traveller
Ibn Battuta visited the town in 1333, he reported that it was a large town with abundant fruit trees, streams and mills. A great dome of elegant construction surmounts the noble mausoleum, the walls being decorated with colored tiles.
The most well-known dish cooked in Mashhad, "sholeh Mashhadi" (شله مشهدی) or "Sholeh", dates back to the era of the Mongolian invasion when it is thought to be cooked with any food available (the main ingredients are meat, grains and abundant spices) and be a Mongolian word.
Timurid Empire
![Persian(IRAN) Empire 1747](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Persian%28IRAN%29_Empire_1747.jpg)
It seems that the importance of Sanabad-Mashhad continually increased with the growing fame of its sanctuary and the decline of Tus, which received its death-blow in 1389 from
Miran Shah
Mirza Jalal-ud-din Miran Shah Beg (1366 – 20 April 1408), commonly known as Miran Shah ( fa, میران شاہ), was a son of the Central Asian conqueror Timur, founder of the Timurid Empire.
During his father's reign, Miran Shah was init ...
, a son of
Timur
Timur ; chg, ''Aqsaq Temür'', 'Timur the Lame') or as ''Sahib-i-Qiran'' ( 'Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction'), his epithet. ( chg, ''Temür'', 'Iron'; 9 April 133617–19 February 1405), later Timūr Gurkānī ( chg, ''Temür Kü ...
. When the Mongol noble who governed the place rebelled and attempted to make himself independent, Miran Shah was sent against him by his father. Tus was stormed after a siege of several months, sacked and left a heap of ruins; 10,000 inhabitants were massacred. Those who escaped the holocaust settled in the shelter of the 'Alid sanctuary. Tus was henceforth abandoned and Mashhad took its place as the capital of the district.
Later on, during the reign of the
Timurid Shahrukh Mirza
Shah Rukh or Shahrukh ( fa, شاهرخ, ''Šāhrokh'') (20 August 1377 – 13 March 1447) was the ruler of the Timurid Empire between 1405 and 1447.
He was the son of the Central Asian conqueror Timur (Tamerlane), who founded the Timurid dynast ...
, Mashhad became one of the main cities of the realm. In 1418, his wife
Goharshad
Gawhar Shad ( fa, , Gawaršād; meaning "joyful jewel" or "shining jewel"; alternative spelling: Gohar Shād; died 19 July 1457) was the chief consort of Shah Rukh, the emperor of the Timurid Empire.
Life
She was the daughter of Giāth ud-Din ...
funded the construction of an outstanding mosque beside the shrine, which is known as the
Goharshad Mosque
Goharshad Mosque ( fa, مسجد گوهرشاد) is a grand congregational mosque built during the Timurid period in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, which now serves as one of the prayer halls within the Imam Reza shrine complex.
Hi ...
.
The mosque remains relatively intact to this date, its great size an indicator to the status the city held in the 15th century.
Safavid dynasty
Shah
Shah (; fa, شاه, , ) is a royal title that was historically used by the leading figures of Iranian monarchies.Yarshater, EhsaPersia or Iran, Persian or Farsi, ''Iranian Studies'', vol. XXII no. 1 (1989) It was also used by a variety of ...
Ismail I
Ismail I ( fa, اسماعیل, Esmāʿīl, ; July 17, 1487 – May 23, 1524), also known as Shah Ismail (), was the founder of the Safavid dynasty of Safavid Iran, Iran, ruling as its King of Kings (''Shahanshah'') from 1501 to 1524. His re ...
, founder of the
Safavid dynasty, conquered Mashhad after the death of
Husayn Bayqarah
Sultan Husayn Bayqara Mirza ( fa, حسین بایقرا / ''Husayn Bāyqarā''; June/July 1438 – 4 May 1506) was the Timurid ruler of Herat from 1469 until May 4, 1506, with a brief interruption in 1470.
A skilled statesman, Sultan Husayn ...
and the decline of the Timurid dynasty. He was later captured by the
Uzbeks
The Uzbeks ( uz, , , , ) are a Turkic ethnic group native to the wider Central Asian region, being among the largest Turkic ethnic group in the area. They comprise the majority population of Uzbekistan, next to Kazakh and Karakalpak mino ...
during the reign of
Shah Abbas I
Abbas I ( fa, ; 27 January 157119 January 1629), commonly known as Abbas the Great (), was the 5th Safavid Shah (king) of Iran, and is generally considered one of the greatest rulers of Iranian history and the Safavid dynasty. He was the third so ...
. In the 16th century the town suffered considerably from the repeated raids of the Özbegs (Uzbeks). In 1507, it was taken by the troops of the Shaybani or Shabani Khan. After two decades, Shah Tahmasp I succeeded in repelling the enemy from the town again in 1528. But in 1544, the Özbegs again succeeded in entering the town and plundering and murdering there. The year 1589 was a disastrous one for Mashhad. The Shaybanid
'Abd al-Mu'min after a four months' siege forced the town to surrender. Shah Abbas I, who lived in Mashhad from 1585 until his official ascent of the throne in Qazwin in 1587, was not able to retake Mashhad from the Özbegs until 1598. Mashhad was retaken by the Shah Abbas after a long and hard struggle, defeating the Uzbeks in a great battle near
Herat
Herāt (; Persian: ) is an oasis city and the third-largest city of Afghanistan. In 2020, it had an estimated population of 574,276, and serves as the capital of Herat Province, situated south of the Paropamisus Mountains (''Selseleh-ye Safē ...
as well as managing to drive them beyond the
Oxus River.
Shah Abbas I
Abbas I ( fa, ; 27 January 157119 January 1629), commonly known as Abbas the Great (), was the 5th Safavid Shah (king) of Iran, and is generally considered one of the greatest rulers of Iranian history and the Safavid dynasty. He was the third so ...
wanted to encourage Iranians to go to Mashhad for pilgrimage. He is said to have walked from
Isfahan to Mashhad. During the
Safavid era, Mashhad gained even more religious recognition, becoming the most important city of Greater Khorasan, as several
madrasah and other structures were built beside the
Imam Reza shrine. Besides its religious significance, Mashhad has played an important political role as well. The Safavid dynasty has been criticized in a book (Red Shi'sm vs. Black Shi'ism) on the perceived dual aspects of the Shi'a religion throughout history) as a period in which although the dynasty didn't form the idea of Black Shi'ism, but this idea was formed after the defeat of Shah Ismail against the Ottoman leader Sultan Yavuz Selim. Black Shi'ism is a product of the post-Safavid period.
Afsharid dynasty
Mashad saw its greatest glory under
Nader Shah, ruler of Iran from 1736 to 1747, and also a great benefactor of the shrine of Imam Reza, who made the city his capital. Nearly the whole eastern part of the kingdom of Nadir Shah passed to foreign rulers in this period of Persian impotence under the rule of the vigorous
Ahmad Shah Durrani of the Afghan
Durrani Empire. Ahmad defeated the Persians and took Mashhad after an eight-month siege in 1753. Ahmad Shah and his successor
Timur Shah left
Shah Rukh
Shah Rukh or Shahrukh ( fa, شاهرخ, ''Šāhrokh'') (20 August 1377 – 13 March 1447) was the ruler of the Timurid Empire between 1405 and 1447.
He was the son of the Central Asian conqueror Timur (Tamerlane), who founded the Timurid dynas ...
in possession of Khurasan as their vassal, making Khurasan a kind of buffer state between them and Persia. As the city's real rulers, however, both these Durrani rulers struck coins in Mashhad. Otherwise, the reign of the blind Shah Rukh, which with repeated short interruptions lasted for nearly half a century, passed without any events of special note. It was only after the death of Timur Shah (1792) that
Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, the founder of the Qajar dynasty, succeeded in taking Shah Rukh's domains and putting him to death in 1795, thus ending the separation of Khurasan from the rest of Persia.
Qajar dynasty
![Mashhad in 1858](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Mashhad_in_1858.jpg)
Some believe that Mashhad was ruled by
Shahrukh Afshar
Shahrokh Mirza ( fa, شاهرُخمیرزا; 1734–1796), better known by his dynastic title of Shahrokh Shah () was the Afsharid king (shah) of the western part of Khorasan (corresponding to the present-day Khorasan Province) from 1750 to 17 ...
and remained the capital of the
Afsharid dynasty
The Afsharid dynasty ( fa, افشاریان) was an Iranian dynasty founded by Nader Shah () of the Qirqlu clan of the Turkoman Afshar tribe
Afshar ( az, Əfşar افشار; tr, Avşar, ''Afşar''; tk, Owşar; fa, اَفشار, Āfshār) ...
during
Zand dynasty
The Zand dynasty ( fa, سلسله زندیه, ') was an Iranian dynasty, founded by Karim Khan Zand (1751–1779) that initially ruled southern and central Iran in the 18th century. It later quickly came to expand to include much of the rest o ...
until
Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar conquered the then larger region of
Khorasan in 1796.
1912 Imam Reza shrine bombardment
In 1911 Yusuf Khan of Herat was declared independent in Mashhad as Muhammad Ali Shah and brought together a large group of
reactionaries
In political science, a reactionary or a reactionist is a person who holds political views that favor a return to the ''status quo ante'', the previous political state of society, which that person believes possessed positive characteristics abse ...
opposed to the revolution, and keep stirring for some time. This gave Russia the excuse to intervene and 29 March 1912 bombed the city; this bombing killed several people and pilgrims; action against a Muslim shrine caused a great shock to all
Islamic countries
The terms Muslim world and Islamic world commonly refer to the Islamic community, which is also known as the Ummah. This consists of all those who adhere to the religious beliefs and laws of Islam or to societies in which Islam is practiced. In ...
. On 29 March 1912, the sanctuary of Imam Reza was bombed by the Russian artillery fire, causing some damage, including to the golden dome, resulting in a widespread and persisting resentment in the Shiite Muslim world as well as
British India
The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance on the Indian subcontinent. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one ...
. This bombing was orchestrated by Prince Aristid Mikhailovich Dabizha (a
Moldovan who was the Russian Consul in Mashhad) and
General Radko (a
Bulgarian
Bulgarian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to the country of Bulgaria
* Bulgarians, a South Slavic ethnic group
* Bulgarian language, a Slavic language
* Bulgarian alphabet
* A citizen of Bulgaria, see Demographics of Bulgaria
* Bul ...
who was commander of the
Russian Cossacks in the city).
Yusuf Khan ended up captured by the Persians and was executed.
Pahlavi dynasty
Modernization under Reza Shah
![Teh st - Mashhad - 1956](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Teh_st_-_Mashhad_-_1956.jpg)
The modern development of the city accelerated under Reza Shah (1925-1941). Shah Reza Hospital (currently Imam Reza Hospital, affiliated with the
Basij organization) was founded in 1934; the sugar factory of Abkuh in 1935; and the
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) is a medical school in Iran. Located in Razavi Khorasan province in the city of Mashhad, it was established in 1949 with Ferdowsi University of Mashad and separated in 1986 from its parent institut ...
in 1939. The city's first power station was installed in 1936, and in 1939, the first urban transport service began with two buses. In this year the first population census was performed, with a result of 76,471 inhabitants.
1935 Imam Reza shrine rebellion
In 1935, a backlash against the modernizing, anti-religious policies of
Reza Shah
,
, spouse = Maryam Savadkoohi Tadj ol-Molouk Ayromlu (queen consort) Turan Amirsoleimani Esmat Dowlatshahi
, issue = Princess Hamdamsaltaneh Princess Shams Mohammad Reza Shah Princess Ashraf Prince Ali Reza Prince Gholam Reza P ...
erupted in the Mashhad shrine. Responding to a cleric who denounced the Shah's heretical innovations, corruption, and heavy consumer taxes, many bazaars and villagers took refuge in the shrine, chanted slogans such as "The Shah is a new Yazid." For four days local police and army refused to violate the shrine and the standoff was ended when troops from Azerbaijan arrived and broke into the shrine, killing dozens and injuring hundreds, and marking a final rupture between Shi'ite clergy and the Shah. According to some Mashhadi historians, the Goharshad Mosque uprising, which took place in 1935, is an uprising against Reza Shah's decree banning all veils (headscarf and chador) on 8 January 1936.
1941–1979 reforms
![Mashhadplan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Mashhadplan.jpg)
Mashhad experienced population growth after the
Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941 because of relative insecurity in rural areas, the 1948 drought, and the establishment of Mashhad University in 1949. At the same time, public transport vehicles increased to 77 buses and 200 taxis and the railway link with the capital, Tehran, was established in 1957. The 1956 census reflected a population of 241,989 people. The increase in population continued in the following years thanks to the increase in Iranian oil revenues, the decline of the feudal social model, the agrarian reform of 1963, the founding of the city's airport, the creation of new factories and the development of the health system. In 1966, the population reached 409,616 inhabitants, and 667,770 in 1976. The extension of the city was expanded from .
![فلکه اردیبهشت](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/%D9%81%D9%84%DA%A9%D9%87_%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%B4%D8%AA.jpg)
![Z (6)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/Z_%286%29.jpg)
In 1965 an important urban renewal development project for the surroundings of the shrine of Imam Reza was proposed by the Iranian architect and urban designer
Dariush Borbor to replace the dilapidated slum conditions which surrounded the historic monuments. The project was officially approved in 1968. In 1977 the surrounding areas were demolished to make way for the implementation of this project. To relocate the demolished businesses, a new bazaar was designed and constructed in Meydan-e Ab square (in Persian, "میدان آب")
by
Dariush Borbor. After the revolution, the urban renewal project was abandoned.
1994 Imam Reza shrine bombing
On 20 June 1994, a bomb exploded in a prayer hall of the
shrine of the Imam Reza. The bomb that killed at least 25 people on 20 June in Mashhad exploded on
Ashura. The
Baloch terrorist,
Ramzi Yousef
Ramzi Ahmed Yousef ( ur, , translit=''Ramzī Ahmad Yūsuf''; born 20 May 1967 or 27 April 1968) is a Pakistani convicted terrorist who was one of the main perpetrators of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the bombing of Philippine Airlines ...
, a
Sunni Muslim turned
Wahhabi
Wahhabism ( ar, ٱلْوَهَّابِيَةُ, translit=al-Wahhābiyyah) is a Sunni Islamic revivalist and fundamentalist movement associated with the reformist doctrines of the 18th-century Arabian Islamic scholar, theologian, preacher, an ...
, one of the main perpetrators of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was found to be behind the plot.
Mashhad after the Revolution
In 1998 and 2003 there were student disturbances after the same events in
Tehran
Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is the most popul ...
.
Geography
The city is located at 36.20º North latitude and 59.35º East longitude, in the valley of the
Kashafrud River near
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan ( or ; tk, Türkmenistan / Түркменистан, ) is a country located in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, east and northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the sout ...
, between the two mountain ranges of
Binalood and
Hezar Masjed Mountains. The city benefits from the proximity of the mountains, having cool winters, pleasant springs, and mild summers. It is only about from
Ashgabat
Ashgabat or Asgabat ( tk, Aşgabat, ; fa, عشقآباد, translit='Ešqābād, formerly named Poltoratsk ( rus, Полтора́цк, p=pəltɐˈratsk) between 1919 and 1927), is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan. It lie ...
, Turkmenistan.
The city is the administrative center of
Mashhad County
Mashhad County ( fa, شهرستان مشهد) is located in Razavi Khorasan province, Iran. The capital of the county is Mashhad. At the 2006 census, the county's population (including those portions of the county later split off to form Torqa ...
(or the ''
Shahrestan'' of Mashhad) as well as the somewhat smaller district (''
Bakhsh
A ( fa, بخش, also romanized as ) is a third-level administrative division of Iran. While sometimes translated as "county," it is more accurately translated as "district," similar to a township in the United States or a district of En ...
'') of Mashhad. The city itself, excluding parts of the surrounding ''Bakhsh'' and ''Shahrestan'', is divided into 13 smaller administrative units, with a total population of more than 3 million.
Climate
Mashhad features a
cold semi-arid climate
A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not as low as a desert climate. There are different kinds of semi-ar ...
(
Köppen Köppen is a German surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Bernd Köppen (born 1951), German pianist and composer
* Carl Köppen (1833-1907), German military advisor in Meiji era Japan
* Edlef Köppen (1893–1939), German author and ...
''BSk'') with hot summers and cold winters. The city only sees about of precipitation per year, some of which occasionally falls in the form of snow. Mashhad also has wetter and drier periods with the bulk of the annual precipitation falling between the months of December and May. Summers are typically hot and dry, with high temperatures sometimes exceeding . Winters are typically cool to cold and somewhat damper, with overnight lows routinely dropping below freezing. Mashhad enjoys on average just above 2900 hours of sunshine per year.
The highest recorded temperature was on 6 July 1998 and the lowest recorded temperature was on 3 February 1972.
Demography
Ethnic groups
The vast majority of Mashhadi people are ethnic
Persians
The Persians are an Iranian ethnic group who comprise over half of the population of Iran. They share a common cultural system and are native speakers of the Persian language as well as of the languages that are closely related to Persian.
...
, who form the majority of the city's population. Other
ethnic groups
An ethnic group or an ethnicity is a grouping of people who identify with each other on the basis of shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups. Those attributes can include common sets of traditions, ancestry, language, history, ...
include
Kurdish
Kurdish may refer to:
*Kurds or Kurdish people
*Kurdish languages
*Kurdish alphabets
*Kurdistan, the land of the Kurdish people which includes:
**Southern Kurdistan
**Eastern Kurdistan
**Northern Kurdistan
**Western Kurdistan
See also
* Kurd (dis ...
and
Turkmen people who have emigrated recently to the city from the
North Khorasan province
North Khorasan Province ( fa, استان خراسان شمالی, ''Ostān-e Khorāsān-e Shomālī'') is a province located in northeastern Iran. Bojnord is the capital of the province. The counties of North Khorasan Province are Shirvan Cou ...
. There is also a significant community of non-Arabic speakers of
Arabian descent who have retained a distinct Arabian culture, cuisine and religious practices.
There are also over 20 million pilgrims who visit the city every year.
Religion
Today, the holy shrine and its museum hold one of the most extensive cultural and artistic treasuries of Iran, in particular manuscript books and paintings. Several important
theological
Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the s ...
schools are associated with the shrine of the Eighth Imam.
The second-largest holy city in the world, Mashhad attracts more than 20 million tourists and pilgrims every year, many of whom come to pay homage to the
Imam Reza shrine (the eighth
Shi'ite
Shīʿa Islam or Shīʿīsm is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad designated ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib as his successor (''khalīfa'') and the Imam (spiritual and political leader) after him, most ...
Imam). It has been a magnet for travellers since medieval times.
Thus, even as those who complete the pilgrimage to Mecca receive the title of ''Haji'', those who make the pilgrimage to Mashhad—and especially to the Imam Reza shrine—are known as ''Mashtee'', a term employed also of its inhabitants.
As an important problem, the duration when new passengers stay in Mashhad has been considerably reduced to 2 days nowadays and they prefer to finish their trip immediately after doing pilgrimage and shopping in the markets. There are about 3000–5000 unauthorized residential units in Mashhad, which, as a unique statistic worldwide, has caused various problems in the city.
Although mainly inhabited by Muslims, there were in the past some religious minorities in Mashhad, mainly Jews who were forcibly converted to Islam in 1839 after the Allahdad incident took place for
Mashhadi Jews in 1839. They became known as Jadid al-Islam ("Newcomers in Islam"). On the outside, they adapted to the Islamic way of life, but often secretly kept their faith and traditions.
Economy
![Firoozeh](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Firoozeh.jpg)
Mashhad is Iran's second largest
automobile
A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods.
The year 1886 is regarde ...
production hub. The city's economy is based mainly on dry fruits, salted nuts, saffron, Iranian sweets like gaz and sohaan, precious stones like agates, turquoise, intricately designed silver jewelry studded with rubies and emeralds, eighteen carat gold jewelry, perfumes, religious souvenirs, trench coats, scarves, termeh, carpets, and rugs.
According to the writings and documents, the oldest existing carpet attributed to the city belongs to the reign of Shah Abbas (
Abbas I of Persia
Abbas I ( fa, ; 27 January 157119 January 1629), commonly known as Abbas the Great (), was the 5th Safavid Shah (king) of Iran, and is generally considered one of the greatest rulers of Iranian history and the Safavid dynasty. He was the third s ...
). Also, there is a type of carpet, classified as Mashhad Turkbâf, which, as its name suggests, is woven by hand with Turkish knots by craftsmen who emigrated from
Tabriz
Tabriz ( fa, تبریز ; ) is a city in northwestern Iran, serving as the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. It is the List of largest cities of Iran, sixth-most-populous city in Iran. In the Quri Chay, Quru River valley in Iran's historic Aze ...
to Mashhad in the nineteenth century.
Among other major industries in the city are the nutrition, clothing, leather, textiles,
chemical
A chemical substance is a form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. Some references add that chemical substance cannot be separated into its constituent elements by physical separation methods, i.e., w ...
, steel, metallic, and non-metallic mineral industries, construction materials factories, & the handicraft industry.
With more than 55% of all the
hotels
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a ref ...
in Iran, Mashhad is the hub of tourism in the country. Religious shrines are the most powerful attractions for foreign travelers; every year, 20 to 30 million pilgrims from Iran and more than 2 million pilgrims and tourists from elsewhere around the world come to Mashhad.
Mashhad is one of the main producers of leather products in the region.
Unemployment, poverty, drug addiction, theft, and sexual exploitation are the most important social problems of the city.
The divorce rate in Mashhad had increased by 35 percent by 2014. Khorasan and Mashhad ranked the second in violence across the country in 2013.
Astan Quds Razavi
At the same time, the city has kept its character as a goal of pilgrimage, dominated by the strength of the economic and political authority of the Astan Quds Razavi, the administration of the Shrine waqf, probably the most important in the Muslim world and the largest active
bonyad in Iran.
The Astan Quds Razavi is a major player in the economy of the city of Mashhad.
[Christopher de Bellaigue, ''The Struggle for Iran'', New York Review of Books, 2007, p.15] The land occupied by the shrine has grown fourfold since 1979 according to the head of the foundation's international relations department. The Shrine of Imam Reza is vaster than Vatican City.
The foundation owns most of the real estate in Mashhad and rents out shop space to bazaaris and hoteliers.
The main resource of the institution is endowments, estimated to have annual revenue of $210 billion.
[Iran: Order Out of Chaos](_blank)
Ahmad Marvi is the current Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi.
Padideh Shandiz
Padideh Shandiz International Tourism Development Company, an Iranian private joint-stock holding company, behaves like a public company by selling stocks despite being a joint-stock in the field of restaurants, tourism and construction, with a football club (
Padideh F.C.
, ''Yuzhay-e Xorasan'')
, shortname =
, founded = 2013
, dissolved = August 21, 2022
, ground = Imam Reza Stadium
, capacity = 27,700
, owner = Farhad Hamidavi
, chairman = Masoud Moamaei
, mgrtitle = Head Coach
, mana ...
; formerly named
Azadegan League club Mes Sarcheshmeh). In January 2015, the company was accused of a "fraud" worth $34.3 billion, which is one eighth of Iran budget.
Credit institutions
Several credit institutions have been established in Mashhad, including Samenolhojaj (), Samenola'emmeh () and Melal (formerly Askariye, ). The depositors of the first institution have faced problem in receiving cash from the institution.
Others
The city's International Exhibition Center is the second most active exhibition center after Tehran, which due to proximity to Central Asian countries hosts dozens of international exhibitions each year. Companies such as Smart-innovators in Mashhad are pioneers in electrical and computer technology.
Language
The language mainly spoken in Mashhad is
Persian
Persian may refer to:
* People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language
** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples
** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...
with a variating Mashhadi accent, which can at times, prove itself as a sort of dialect. The Mashhadi Persian dialect is somewhat different from the standard Persian dialect in some of its tones and stresses.
Today, the Mashhadi dialect is rarely spoken by young people of Mashhad, most of them perceive it as a humiliation. This is thought to be related to the non-positive performance of the
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB; fa, صدا و سيمای جمهوری اسلامی ايران, ''Sedā va Sīmā-ye Jomhūri-ye Eslāmi-ye Īrān'', , formerly called National Iranian Radio and Television until the Iranian Rev ...
(IRIB).
Culture
Religious seminaries
![Ferdowsi tomb 01](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Ferdowsi_tomb_01.jpg)
Long a center of secular and religious learning, Mashhad has been a center for the
Islamic arts and sciences as well as piety and pilgrimage. Mashhad was an educational centre, with a considerable number of Islamic schools (madrasas, the majority of them, however, dating from the later Safavid period. Mashhad Hawza (Persian: حوزه علمیه مشهد) is one of the largest seminaries of traditional Islamic school of higher learning in Mashhad, which was headed by
Abbas Vaez-Tabasi
Abbas Vaez Tabasi ( fa, عباس واعظ طبسی; 25 June 1935 – 4 March 2016) was an influential Iranian cleric who held memberships at different institutions. He was Grand Imam and Chairman of the Astan Quds Razavi board from 1979 until his ...
(who was Chairman of the Astan Quds Razavi board from 1979) after the revolution and in which Iranian politician and clerics such as
Ali Khamenei,
Ahmad Alamolhoda
Sayyid Ahmad Alamolhoda (also Alam Olhoda or Alam al-Hoda; fa, احمد علمالهدی; born September 1, 1944) is an Iranian Shia Islamic cleric who has been described as "senior" and "ultra conservative" and "hardline." His rank has been g ...
,
Abolghasem Khazali,
Mohammad Reyshahri
Mohammad Reyshahri ( fa, محمد ریشهری), also known as Mohammad Mohammadi-Nik (29 October 1946 – 21 March 2022), was an Iranian politician and cleric who was the first Minister of Intelligence, serving from 1984 to 1989 in the c ...
,
Morteza Motahhari
Morteza Motahhari ( fa, مرتضی مطهری, also Romanized as "Mortezā Motahharī"; 31 January 1919 – 1 May 1979) was an Iranian Twelver Shia scholar, philosopher, lecturer. Motahhari is considered to have an important influence on th ...
,
Abbas Vaez-Tabasi
Abbas Vaez Tabasi ( fa, عباس واعظ طبسی; 25 June 1935 – 4 March 2016) was an influential Iranian cleric who held memberships at different institutions. He was Grand Imam and Chairman of the Astan Quds Razavi board from 1979 until his ...
, Madmoud Halabi (the founder of
Hojjatieh
Anjoman-e Hojjatieh, also called The Hojjatie Society ( fa, انجمن خیریه حجتیه مهدویه, Anjoman-e Kheyriyeh Hojjatiyeh Mahdaviyeh, lit=Charity Society of Allah's Proof Over Creation, also spelled ''hojjatiya''), is a tradition ...
and Mohammad Hadi Abd-e Khodaee learned Islamic studies.
The number of seminary schools in Mashhad is now thirty nine and there are an estimated 2300 seminarians in the city.
The
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM, fa, دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد, ''Danushgah-e Ferdusi-ye Mashhad'') is a public university in Mashhad, the capital city of the Iranian province of Razavi Khorasan. FUM is named after Abul-Qâsem ...
, named after the great Iranian poet, is located here and is regarded as the third institution in attracting foreign students, mainly from Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Central Asian republics.
The
Madrassa
Madrasa (, also , ; Arabic: مدرسة , pl. , ) is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary instruction or higher learning. The word is variously transliterated '' ...
of
Ayatollah Al-Khoei, originally built in the seventeenth century and recently replaced with modern facilities, is the city's foremost traditional centre for religious learning. The Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, founded in 1984, stands at the centre of town, within the shrine complex. The prestige of traditional religious education at Mashhad attracts students, known as ''Talabeh'', or "Mollah" internationally.
Mashhad is also home to one of the oldest libraries of the Middle-East called the
Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi
The Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi is a large library in Mashad, Iran. Established before 1457, it holds over 1.1 million volumes. It is an international center for Islamic research, containing numerous manuscripts and rare works of an ...
with a history of over six centuries. There are some six million historical documents in the foundation's central library. A museum is also home to over 70,000 rare manuscripts from various historical eras
![Khorasan great, mashhad](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Khorasan_great%2C_mashhad.jpg)
The
Astan Quds Razavi Central Museum
The Astan Quds Razavi Museum in Mashhad, which was founded in 1937, is one of the most significant public museums in Iran. Located in the vicinity of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS) and Gowharshad Mosque, as two magnificent monuments exemplifying ...
, which is part of the Astan-e Quds Razavi Complex, contains
Islamic art
Islamic art is a part of Islamic culture and encompasses the visual arts produced since the 7th century CE by people who lived within territories inhabited or ruled by Muslim populations. Referring to characteristic traditions across a wide ra ...
and historical artifacts. In 1976, a new edifice was designed and constructed by the well-known Iranian architect
Dariush Borbor to house the museum and the ancient manuscripts.
In 1569 (977 H), 'Imad al-Din Mas'ud Shirazi, a physician at the Mashhad hospital, wrote the earliest Islamic treatise on syphilis, one influenced by European medical thought. Kashmar rug is a type of
Persian rug indigenous to this region.
Mashhad active galleries include: Mirak Gallery, Parse Gallery, Rezvan Gallery, Soroush Gallery, and the Narvan Gallery.
During the recent years, Mashhad has been a clerical base to monitor the affairs and decisions of state. In 2015, Mashhad's clerics publicly criticized the performance of concert in Mashhad, which led to the order of cancellation of concerts in the city by
Ali Jannati
Ali Jannati ( fa, علی جنتی, born 1949) is an Iranian politician and former diplomat who served as counselor to the head of Iranian presidential administration, in the second cabinet of Hassan Rouhani. He was minister of culture from 15 A ...
, the
minister of culture
A culture minister or a heritage minister is a common cabinet position in governments. The culture minister is typically responsible for cultural policy, which often includes arts policy (direct and indirect support to artists and arts organizatio ...
, and then his resignation on 19 October 2016.
Newspapers
There are two influential newspapers in Mashhad, Khorasan (خراسان) and Qods (قدس), which have been considered "conservative newspapers". They are two Mashhad-based daily published by and representing the views of their current and old owners:
Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs
The Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs ( fa, بنیاد شهید و امور ایثارگران ''Bonyad Shahid va Omur-e Ithargaran'') is an Iranian foundation that receives its funding directly from the national budget. Amir-Hossein Ghaz ...
and
Astan Quds Razavi
Astan Quds Razavi ( fa, آستان قدس رضوی, Āstān-e Qods-e Razavi) is a bonyad based at Mashhad, Iran. It is the administrative organization which manages the Imam Reza shrine and various institutions which belong to the organization.
...
, respectively.
Capital of Islamic culture
The
Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO, formerly ISESCO) is a specialized organization that operates under the aegis of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and is concerned with fields of education ...
named Mashhad 2017's "cultural capital of the Muslim world" in Asia on 24 January 2017. Several international events especially entrepreneurs networking event entitled Entrepreneurs Show 2017 was organized by CODE International in collaboration with Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Khorasan Science and Technology Park and city district government of Mashhad.
Main sites
![Khayam - Mashhad](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Khayam_-_Mashhad.jpg)
Apart from
Imam Reza shrine, there are a number of large parks, the tombs of historical celebrities in nearby Tus and
Nishapur, the tomb of
Nader Shah and
Koohsangi park. The Koohestan Park-e-Shadi Complex includes a zoo, where many wild animals are kept and which attracts many visitors to Mashhad. It is also home to the Mashhad Airbase (formerly Imam Reza airbase), jointly a military installation housing Mirage aircraft, and a civilian international airport.
![Mashhad P111](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Mashhad_P111.jpg)
Some points of interest lie outside the city: the tomb of Khajeh Morad, along the road to Tehran; the tomb of Khajeh Rabi' located north of the city where there are some inscriptions by the renowned Safavid calligrapher
Reza Abbasi
Reza Abbasi, Riza yi-Abbasi or Reza-e Abbasi, رضا عباسی in Persian, usually Reza Abbasi also Aqa Reza (see below) or Āqā Riżā Kāshānī ( – 1635) was the leading Persian miniaturist of the Isfahan School during the later Safavid ...
; and the tomb of Khajeh Abasalt, a distance of from Mashhad along the road to
Neishabur
Nishapur or officially Romanized as Neyshabur ( fa, ;Or also "نیشاپور" which is closer to its original and historic meaning though it is less commonly used by modern native Persian speakers. In Persian poetry, the name of this city is wr ...
. (The three were all disciples of
Imam Reza).
Among the other sights are the tomb of the poet
Ferdowsi in Tus, distance, and the summer resorts at
Torghabeh, Torogh,
Akhlamad,
Zoshk
Zoshk ( fa, زشك, also Romanized as Zoshg) is a village in Shandiz Rural District, Shandiz District, Torqabeh and Shandiz County, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Pe ...
, and
Shandiz
Shandiz ( fa, شانديز, also Romanize
Romanization or romanisation, in linguistics, is the conversion of text from a different writing system to the Roman (Latin) script, or a system for doing so. Methods of romanization include transl ...
.
The Shah Public Bath, built during the
Safavid era in 1648, is an outstanding example of the architecture of that period. It was recently restored, and is to be turned into a museum.
Transportation
Airport
Mashhad is served by the
Mashhad International Airport
Mashhad International Airport ( fa, فرودگاه بینالمللی مشهد) is an international airport located in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan, Iran.
Overview
Mashhad international airport is the Iran's second-busiest airport, behind Te ...
, which handles domestic flights to Iranian cities and international flights, mostly to neighbouring Arab countries. The airport is the country's second busiest after Tehran Mehrabad Airport and above Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport.
It is connected to 57 destinations and has frequent flights to 30 cities within Iran and 27 destinations in the Central Asia, the Middle East, East Asia and Europe.
![Mashhad Airport by Tasnimnews 09](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Mashhad_Airport_by_Tasnimnews_09.jpg)
The airport has been under a US$45.7 ml vast expansion project which has been finished by opening a new Haj Terminal with 10,000 m area on 24 May 2010 and followed by opening a new international terminal with 30000 m
2 area with a new parking building, a new custom storage and cargo terminal, new safety and fire fighting buildings and upgrades to taxiways and equipment. Another USD26.5 ml development project for construction of new hangar for aircraft repair facilities and expansion of the west side of the domestic terminal is underway using a BOT contract with the private sector.
Metro
Mashhad Urban Railway Corporation (MURCO) is constructing
metro
Metro, short for metropolitan, may refer to:
Geography
* Metro (city), a city in Indonesia
* A metropolitan area, the populated region including and surrounding an urban center
Public transport
* Rapid transit, a passenger railway in an urb ...
and
light rail system for the city of Mashhad which includes four lines with length. Mashhad Urban Railway Operation Company (MUROC)
is responsible for the operation of the lines. The LRT line has been operational since 21 February 2011 with length and 22 stations
[
] and is connected to
Mashhad International Airport
Mashhad International Airport ( fa, فرودگاه بینالمللی مشهد) is an international airport located in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan, Iran.
Overview
Mashhad international airport is the Iran's second-busiest airport, behind Te ...
from early 2016. The total length of line 1 is 24 kilometers and has 24 stations. the current headway in peak hours is 4.5 minutes.
![Mashhad Metro 2020-05-26 22](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Mashhad_Metro_2020-05-26_22.jpg)
The second line which is a metro line with 14.5 km length and 13 stations. line 2 construction is going to finish in early 2020. The first phase of line 2 with 8 kilometers and 7 stations is started on 21 February 2017. On 20 March two stations were added to the network in test operational mode and the first interchange station was added to the network. On 7 May 2018, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took part in the inauguration ceremony of the first Mashhad Urban Railway interchange station "Shariati" which connects line 1 and 2. in 27 July shahid Kaveh station operation began and the length of the operational part of line 2 reached to 13.5 kilometers. On 18 November 2019 Alandasht station Began operative. Currently, line 2 operates every day with 13.5 km and 11 stations from 6 am to 10 pm, and the current headway is 10 minutes. Currently Mashhad Urban Railway Operation Company (MUROC)
operates 2 lines with 37.5 kilometers length and 35 stations. Tunnel excavation of line 3 has begun and more than 14 kilometers of tunnel excavation is done using two Tunnel Boring Machines and operation of the first phase of line 3 is expected to start in 2021. Tunnel Excavation of line 4 is going to start in summer 2019.
Rail
Mashhad railway station has
Local
Local may refer to:
Geography and transportation
* Local (train), a train serving local traffic demand
* Local, Missouri, a community in the United States
* Local government, a form of public administration, usually the lowest tier of administrat ...
,
Regional
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and the interaction of humanity and t ...
,
InterRegio,
InterRegio-Express services. The station is owned by
IRI Railways and has daily services from most parts of the country, plus two suburban services. The building was designed by
Heydar Ghiai
Heydar-Gholi Khan Ghiaï- Chamlou ( fa, حیدرقلی خان غیایی شاملو) was an Iranian architect. He graduated from the École des Beaux-Arts in 1952, and was known as a pioneer of modern architecture in Iran. He designed the S ...
. Mashhad is connected to three major rail lines:
Tehran
Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is the most popul ...
-Mashhad, Mashhad-
Bafq
Bafq ( fa, بافق, also Romanized as Bāfq) is a city in and the capital of Bafq County, Yazd Province, Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bo ...
(running south), and Mashhad-
Sarakhs
Sarakhs ( fa, سرخس, Saraxs, also Romanized as Serakhs) is a city in Sarakhs County, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran. Sarakhs was once a stopping point along the Silk Road, and in its 11th century heyday had many libraries. Much of the origina ...
at the border with
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan ( or ; tk, Türkmenistan / Түркменистан, ) is a country located in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, east and northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the sout ...
. Some freight trains continue from Sarakhs towards
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan (, ; uz, Ozbekiston, italic=yes / , ; russian: Узбекистан), officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( uz, Ozbekiston Respublikasi, italic=yes / ; russian: Республика Узбекистан), is a doubly landlocked co ...
and to
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country located mainly in Central Asia and partly in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia to the north and west, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan to the southeast, Uzbeki ...
, but have to change bogies because of the difference in
Rail gauge. Cargo and passenger rail services are provided or operated by
RAJA Rail Transportation Co., Joopar Co., Fadak Trains Co.
![Railway Station Mashhad-IRAN - panoramio (3)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Railway_Station_Mashhad-IRAN_-_panoramio_%283%29.jpg)
A new service from
Nakhchivan,
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan (, ; az, Azərbaycan ), officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, , also sometimes officially called the Azerbaijan Republic is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a part of t ...
to
Mashad
Mashhad ( fa, مشهد, Mašhad ), also spelled Mashad, is the second-most-populous city in Iran, located in the relatively remote north-east of the country about from Tehran. It serves as the capital of Razavi Khorasan Province and has a po ...
,
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...
was launched in December 2016.
Road
Road 95 links Mashhad south to
Torbat-e Heydarieh
Torbat-e Heydarieh ( fa, تربت حيدريه, also Romanized as Torbat-e Ḩeydarīyeh; also known as Torbat-e Heydari, Turbat-i-Haidari, Torbate Heydari, and Turbet-i-Haidari, and for short Torbat) is a city and capital of Torbat-e Heydarieh C ...
and
Birjand.
Road 44 goes west towards
Shahrud
The Shahrud (Turkish ''Şehrud'' from Persian شاهرود, DMG ''šāh-i rūd'' or ''šāh-rūd'') was a short-necked lute, illustrated in the '' Surname-i Hümayun'', resembling an oud or barbat, but being much larger. The larger size gave t ...
and
Tehran
Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is the most popul ...
.
Road 22 travels northwest towards
Bojnurd
Bojnord ( fa, ; also romanized Bojnūrd, Bujnūrd, Bojnoord, Bojnord or Bujnurd), known in the Middle Ages as Buzanjird, is the capital city of North Khorasan Province, Iran. It is about from Tehran. and It is located 237 km away from Mashhad ...
.
Ashgabat
Ashgabat or Asgabat ( tk, Aşgabat, ; fa, عشقآباد, translit='Ešqābād, formerly named Poltoratsk ( rus, Полтора́цк, p=pəltɐˈratsk) between 1919 and 1927), is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan. It lie ...
in Turkmenistan is 220 km away and is accessible via Road 22 (
AH78).
Bus
Government and politics
Members of Parliament
Mashhad's current members of parliament are described as politicians with fundamentalist conservative tendencies, who are mostly the members of
Front of Islamic Revolution Stability
Front of Islamic Revolution Stability ( fa, جبههٔ پایداری انقلاب اسلامی, Jebha-ye pāydārī-e enqelāb-e eslāmī, also translated Persevering Front, Endurance Front and Steadfast Front) is an Iranian principlist politica ...
, an Iranian principlist political group. They were elected to the Parliament on 26 February 2016.
Members of Assembly of Experts
Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Sayyid Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi ( fa, سید محمود هاشمی شاهرودی, 15 August 1948 – 24 December 2018) was an Iranian Twelver Shia cleric and conservative politician who was the Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council fr ...
and
Ahmad Alamolhoda
Sayyid Ahmad Alamolhoda (also Alam Olhoda or Alam al-Hoda; fa, احمد علمالهدی; born September 1, 1944) is an Iranian Shia Islamic cleric who has been described as "senior" and "ultra conservative" and "hardline." His rank has been g ...
are two members of the Iranian Assembly of Experts from Mashhad. Hashemi Shahroudi is currently First Vice-chairman of the
Iranian Assembly of Experts. He was the Head of Iran's Judiciary from 1999 until 2009 who upon accepting his position, appointed
Saeed Mortazavi
Saeed Mortazavi ( fa, سعید مرتضوی, born 26 November 1967) is an Iranian conservative politician, former judge and former prosecutor. He was prosecutor of the Islamic Revolutionary Court, and Prosecutor General of Tehran, a position he h ...
, a well known fundamentalist and controversial figure during President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's reelection, prosecutor general of Iran. He was supported by Mashhad's reformists as the candidate of the Fifth Assembly on 26 February 2016.
City Council and mayor
In 2013, an Iranian principlist political group,
Front of Islamic Revolution Stability
Front of Islamic Revolution Stability ( fa, جبههٔ پایداری انقلاب اسلامی, Jebha-ye pāydārī-e enqelāb-e eslāmī, also translated Persevering Front, Endurance Front and Steadfast Front) is an Iranian principlist politica ...
(which is partly made up of former ministers of
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and
Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi
Ayatollah Taqi Mesbah ( fa, تقی مصباح; born Taqi Givechi, fa, تقی گیوهچی), commonly known as Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi ( fa, محمدتقی مصباح یزدی, 31 January 1935 – 1 January 2021) was an Iranian Shi' ...
), gained a landslide victory in Mashhad City Council,
which on 23 September 2013, elected Seyed
Sowlat Mortazavi as mayor, who was former governor of the province of South Khorasan and the city of Birjand. The municipality's budget amounted to 9600 billion Toman in 2015.
Universities and colleges
Universities
Ferdowsi University of MashhadFerdowsi University of Mashhad – International CampusGolbahar University of Science and New TechnologyImam Reza International University
Islamic Azad University of Khorasan – Golbahar International CampusIslamic Azad University of MashhadKhayyam University*
Payame Noor University of MashhadRazavi University of Islamic Sciences*
Sama Technical and Vocational Training Center (Islamic Azad University of Mashhad)*
Sport Sciences Research Institute of Iran
Colleges
Al Mustafa International University*
Arman Razavi Girls Institute of Higher EducationAsrar Institute of Higher EducationAttar Institute of Higher EducationBahar Institute of Higher EducationBinalood Institute of Higher EducationCultural Heritage, Hand Crafts, and Tourism Higher Education Center (University of Science and Technology)Eqbal Lahoori Institute of Higher Education*
Hakim Toos Institute of Higher EducationHekmat Razavi Institute of Higher EducationIranian Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Mashhad Branch (Jahad Daneshgahi of Mashhad)Jahad Keshavarzi Higher Education Center of Khorasan Razavi (Shahid Hashemi Nejad)
Kavian Institute of Higher EducationKharazmi Azad Institute of Higher Education of Khorasan
Khavaran Institute of Higher EducationKheradgarayan Motahar Institute of higher educationKhorasan Institute of Higher EducationKhorasan Razavi Judiciary Center (University of Science and Technology)Khorasan Razavi Municipalities' Institute of Research, Education, and Consultation of (University of Science and Technology)Mashhad Aviation Industry Center (University of Science and Technology)Mashhad Aviation Training Center (University of Science and Technology)Mashhad Culture and Art Center 1 (University of Science and Technology)Mashhad Koran Reciters SocietyMashhad Prisons Organization Center (University of Science and Technology)Mashhad Tax center (University of Science and Technology)Navvab Higher Clerical SchoolPart Tyre Center (University of Science and Technology)Red Crescent Society of Khorasan Razavi (University of Science and Technology)Salman Institute of Higher EducationSamen Teacher Training Center of Mashhad (Farhangian University)
Samen Training Center of Mashhad (Technical and Vocational University)Sanabad Golbahar Institute of Higher EducationShahid Beheshti Teacher Training College (Farhangian University)
Shahid Hashemi Nejad Teacher Training College (Farhangian University)
*
*
Shandiz Institute of Higher EducationKhorasan Razavi Taavon Center (University of Science and Technology)Tabaran Institute of Higher EducationToos Institute of Higher EducationToos Porcelain Center (University of Science and Technology)*
Khorasan Water and Electricity Industry Center (University of Science and Technology)Workers' House; Mashhad Branch (University of Science and Technology)
Sports
Major sport teams
Other sports
![Grand Prix Cycling of Mashhad 1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Grand_Prix_Cycling_of_Mashhad_1.jpg)
City was host to 2009 Junior World Championships in
sitting volleyball where
Iran's junior team won Gold.
Wrestling
Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat ...
is one of the most popular sports in this city.
Pahlevani and zoorkhaneh rituals
Pahlevani and zourkhaneh rituals is the name inscribed by UNESCO for varzesh-e pahlavāni ( fa, آیین پهلوانی و زورخانهای, "heroic sport") or varzesh-e bāstāni (; , "ancient sport"), a traditional system of athletics a ...
have a special place in Mashhad and is one of the most important zoorkhaneh in Iran in Mashhad.
Mashhad cycling track was introduced in 2011 as the most equipped cycling track in Iran; Car racing track, motorcycle track and motocross track, three skating rinks, ski track and equestrian track in Mashhad are other sports tracks in Mashhad. The first golf course in Iran is located in the Samen complex of Mashhad.
Gallery
File:RezaShrine.jpg, Imam Reza shrine
File:PromaSC.jpg, Proma Hypermarket
File:SaffMHD.jpg, Mashhad is the major trade center of saffron
Saffron () is a spice derived from the flower of ''Crocus sativus'', commonly known as the "saffron crocus". The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in ...
in Iran.
File:Shandiz.jpg, Handicraft
A handicraft, sometimes more precisely expressed as artisanal handicraft or handmade, is any of a wide variety of types of work where useful and decorative objects are made completely by one’s hand or by using only simple, non-automated re ...
products are sold in Shandiz and Torghabeh.
File:IranianHandicrafts.JPG, Some Iranian Handicraft
A handicraft, sometimes more precisely expressed as artisanal handicraft or handmade, is any of a wide variety of types of work where useful and decorative objects are made completely by one’s hand or by using only simple, non-automated re ...
s (metalwork) in Torghabeh
File:Homa Watch of Mashhad.jpg, Homa Watch
File:Ferdosi.jpg, Front façade of the Ferdowsi's mausoleum in Tous
File:Nadershahtomb.jpg, Tomb of Nader Shah
File:Koohsagi1.jpg, Koohsangi
File:OLOOM1.JPG, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM, fa, دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد, ''Danushgah-e Ferdusi-ye Mashhad'') is a public university in Mashhad, the capital city of the Iranian province of Razavi Khorasan. FUM is named after Abul-Qâsem ...
File:هماهتل هما 1 (احمدآباد)-هتل هایت.jpg, Hotel Homa
File:الماس شرق - panoramio.jpg, Almas Shargh (East Diamond) Shopping Center
File:UrbanRailwayMSHD.jpg, Mashhad Urban Railway
Mashhad Urban Railway ( fa, قطار شهری مشهد, ''Qâtar-e Shiheri Mishhed'', the literal translation of the name from Persian) is a rapid transit urban rail line in Mashhad, Iran. It is the second rapid transit system in Iran. The proj ...
File:Shashlik.jpg, Sheshlik, one of the Iranian tasty foods in Mashhad
File:Haruniyeh.JPG, Haruniyeh Dome
Haruniyeh Dome (or simply Haruniyeh) is a historical monument in Tus
Tus or TUS may refer to:
* Tus (biology), a protein that binds to terminator sequences
* Thales Underwater Systems, an international defence contractor
* Tuscarora language, ...
in Tous
File:Malekshouse.jpg, Malek's House in Mashhad
File:خانه ی تاریخی داروغه.JPG, Daroogheh Historical House
File:Stmesropchurch.jpg, St. Mesrop Armenian church in Mashhad
File:آرامگاه خواجه ربیع (3).jpg, Al-Rabi ibn Khuthaym (Khajeh Rabie Tomb)
File:TousMuseum2.jpg, Tous Museum near Mashhad
File:Shandiz2.jpg, Shandiz
Shandiz ( fa, شانديز, also Romanize
Romanization or romanisation, in linguistics, is the conversion of text from a different writing system to the Roman (Latin) script, or a system for doing so. Methods of romanization include transl ...
, a tourist town near Mashhad
File:Homa mashhad 2.jpg, Homa Hotel, Branch of Homa Hotel Group
File:Mashhadcountryside.jpg, Mashhad's countryside
File:Pistols - Afsharid Empire.JPG, Pistols from Afsharid Empire era at Naderi Museum
File:Mashhad Metro Shariati Station 2.jpg, Mashhad Metro ( LRT) Station
File:Mashhad Metro Qaem Station line diagram.jpg, Mashhad Metro ( LRT) network sign
File:Mashhad Metro (Basij Station).jpg, Mashhad Metro Entrance and Urban Design
File:Mashhad Metro Vakilabad Station Highway entrance 1.jpg, City Signpost
File:Mashhad entrance at the end of Nouroz holidays 07.jpg, Imam Hossein Square
File:Mashhad Firefighter's Parade 02.jpg, Mashhad Firefighter's Parade
File:Mashhad Firefighter's Parade 05.jpg, Mashhad Firefighter's Parade
File:Firefighting training in Mashhad (3).jpg, Firefighting training in Mashhad
File:Mashad masjed khiyaboon.jpg, A mosque in Mashhad
File:Goharshad2.jpg, Goharshad Mosque
Goharshad Mosque ( fa, مسجد گوهرشاد) is a grand congregational mosque built during the Timurid period in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, which now serves as one of the prayer halls within the Imam Reza shrine complex.
Hi ...
, Abbasid Ivan in Atiq yard
File:ImamReza07.jpg, An old photo of Goharshad Mosque
Goharshad Mosque ( fa, مسجد گوهرشاد) is a grand congregational mosque built during the Timurid period in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, which now serves as one of the prayer halls within the Imam Reza shrine complex.
Hi ...
File:Khadem with lost daughter statute.jpg, Lost girl sculpture
File:Koore-Rastegar (3).jpg, Oven of Rastgar Moqaddam
File:Ferdowsi tomb4.jpg, Ferdowsi tomb
File:Ferdowsi tomb1.jpg, Ferdowsi tomb
File:Mashhad Metro (7).jpg, A Masterpiece in Mashhad metro station
File:(((پدیده شاندیز))) - panoramio.jpg, Padideh Shandiz Tourism Center
File:ShandizPlano1.JPG, Shandiz Restaurant, serving traditional Iranian cuisine
File:Kang, Razavi Khorasan Iran (1).jpg, Kang countryside
File:Kang, Razavi Khorasan Iran (7).jpg, Kang countryside
File:Mashhad entrance at the end of Nouroz holidays 08.jpg
File:Mashhad entrance at the end of Nouroz holidays 03.jpg
File:Mashhad entrance at the end of Nouroz holidays 05.jpg
File:Mashhad entrance at the end of Nouroz holidays 01.jpg
File:Mashhad Solar Power Plant (3).jpg, Mashhad Solar Power Plant
File:Mashhad Farabi Hospital.jpg, Mashhad Farabi
Abu Nasr Muhammad Al-Farabi ( fa, ابونصر محمد فارابی), ( ar, أبو نصر محمد الفارابي), known in the West as Alpharabius; (c. 872 – between 14 December, 950 and 12 January, 951)PDF version was a renowned early Isla ...
Hospital
File:Mashhad Mellat Park (1).jpg, Mashhad Mellat Park
File:Tulips in Mellat park of Mashhad 2020-04-10 04.jpg, Tulips in Mellat Park
File:پارک ملت(به یاد عکس گذشته)دNation Park - panoramio.jpg, Mellat Park
File:Night shot of MellatPark.jpg, Night shot of Mellat Park
File:Mashhad Arman Mal (10).jpg, Mashhad Arman Mall
File:Mashhad Arman Mal (14).jpg, Mashhad Arman Mall
File:Mashhad Metro 2020-05-26 11.jpg, Metro Boarding Card Charging Zone
File:Fervoja stacidomo en Maŝhado (Irano) 001.jpg, Railway Station Entrance
File:Railway Station Mashhad-IRAN - panoramio (1).jpg, Railway Station Front View
File:Railway Station Mashhad-IRAN - panoramio (2).jpg, Mashhad Railway Station - Panoramic
File:Mellat park.jpg, Mellat Park
File:Mashhad botanic garden 20190520 05.jpg, Mashhad Botanic Garden
File:Mashhad botanic garden 20190520 02.jpg
File:Mashhad Airport by Tasnimnews 05.jpg, Mashhad Airport Terminal
File:Mashhad Airport by Tasnimnews 13.jpg, Mashhad Intl. Airport
File:Mashhad DSC00409.JPG, Almas Shargh Shopping Center
File:Mashhad Metro 2020-05-26 16.jpg, Mashhad Metro
File:Shetab1400.jpg, Mashhad Electric bus
An electric bus is a bus that is propelled using electric motors as opposed to an internal combustion engine. Electric buses can store the needed electricity on-board, or be fed continuously from an external source. The majority of buses ...
named Shetab
File:Irng043-Mashhad-nocny wypad do Meczetu.jpg, International 5 stars hotels near Imam Reza Holy Shrine
File:00 Traffic playground in Mashhad Iran 3.jpg, Bike lane
Bike lanes (US) or cycle lanes (UK) are types of bikeways (cycleways) with lanes on the roadway for cyclists only. In the United Kingdom, an on-road cycle-lane can be firmly restricted to cycles (marked with a solid white line, entry by motor ...
of Mashhad
File:00 Traffic playground in Mashhad Iran.jpg, Traffic playground to learn kids traffic rules
File:An Iranian woman Mashhad, Iran 2018.jpg, An Iranian woman in Mashhad
File:Snow in Mashhad - 17 December 2012 11.jpg, Snow in Mashhad, Dec. 2012
File:AltonTower-14.jpg, Alton Tower
File:Goharshad-mosque-mashhad-IRAN.jpg, Goharshad Mosque
Goharshad Mosque ( fa, مسجد گوهرشاد) is a grand congregational mosque built during the Timurid period in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, which now serves as one of the prayer halls within the Imam Reza shrine complex.
Hi ...
File:Tomb of Nader Shah - Mashhad 3.jpg, Tomb of Nader Shah
Mashhad as capital of Persia and independent Khorasan
The following
Shahanshah
Shah (; fa, شاه, , ) is a royal title that was historically used by the leading figures of Iranian monarchies.Yarshater, EhsaPersia or Iran, Persian or Farsi, ''Iranian Studies'', vol. XXII no. 1 (1989) It was also used by a variety of ...
s had Mashhad as their capital:
* Kianid Dynasty
* Malek Mahmoud Sistani 1722–1726
*
Afsharid dynasty
The Afsharid dynasty ( fa, افشاریان) was an Iranian dynasty founded by Nader Shah () of the Qirqlu clan of the Turkoman Afshar tribe
Afshar ( az, Əfşar افشار; tr, Avşar, ''Afşar''; tk, Owşar; fa, اَفشار, Āfshār) ...
*
Nader Shah
*
Adil Shah
Ali-qoli Khan ( fa, علیقلیخان), commonly known by his regnal title Adel Shah (also spelled Adil; , "the Just King") was the second shah of Afsharid Iran, ruling from 1747 to 1748. He was the nephew and successor of Nader Shah (), th ...
*
Ebrahim Afshar
Ebrahim Mirza or Ebrahim Shah Afshar ( fa, ابراهیمشاه) (died 1749) was the Shah of Persia during the Afsharid Empire from July to September 1748. Born with the name Mohammad-Ali, he was the son of Ebrahim Khan Afshar (Mohammad-Ebra ...
*
Shahrukh Afshar
Shahrokh Mirza ( fa, شاهرُخمیرزا; 1734–1796), better known by his dynastic title of Shahrokh Shah () was the Afsharid king (shah) of the western part of Khorasan (corresponding to the present-day Khorasan Province) from 1750 to 17 ...
*
Nadir Mirza of Khorasan
*
Safavid dynasty
*
Soleyman II
*
Autonomous Government of Khorasan
*
Colonel Mohammad Taghi Khan Pessyan
Notable people from Mashhad and Tus
Religious and political figures
File:آخوند خراسانی.jpg, Akhund Khorasani
Ayatullah Sheikh Muhammad Kazim Khurasani ( fa, ; 1839 – 12 December 1911), commonly known as Akhund Khurasani ( fa, ) was a Shia jurist and political activist.
He is known for using his position as a Marja as legitimizing force behind the ...
, Twelver Shi'a Marja'.
File:Ali Khamenei Nowruz message official portrait 1397 02.jpg, Seyyed
''Sayyid'' (, ; ar, سيد ; ; meaning 'sir', 'Lord', 'Master'; Arabic plural: ; feminine: ; ) is a surname of people descending from the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his grandsons, Hasan ibn Ali and Husayn ibn Ali, sons of Muhammad' ...
Ali Hosseini Khamenei, a Marja and the second and current Supreme Leader of Iran
The Supreme Leader of Iran ( fa, رهبر ایران, rahbar-e irān) is the head of state of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Supreme Leader directs the executive system and judicial system of the Islamic theocratic government and is the co ...
File:Abbas Vaez-Tabasi.jpg, Abbas Va'ez Tabasi, One of the three sides of leadership triangle of the 1979 revolution in Mashhad, and Grand Imam and Chairman of the Astan Quds Razavi
Astan Quds Razavi ( fa, آستان قدس رضوی, Āstān-e Qods-e Razavi) is a bonyad based at Mashhad, Iran. It is the administrative organization which manages the Imam Reza shrine and various institutions which belong to the organization.
...
board from 1979 until his death in 2016.
File:FNA interview with Ahmad Alamolhoda 02 (cropped).jpg, Seyyed
''Sayyid'' (, ; ar, سيد ; ; meaning 'sir', 'Lord', 'Master'; Arabic plural: ; feminine: ; ) is a surname of people descending from the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his grandsons, Hasan ibn Ali and Husayn ibn Ali, sons of Muhammad' ...
Ahmad Alamolhoda
Sayyid Ahmad Alamolhoda (also Alam Olhoda or Alam al-Hoda; fa, احمد علمالهدی; born September 1, 1944) is an Iranian Shia Islamic cleric who has been described as "senior" and "ultra conservative" and "hardline." His rank has been g ...
File:جلسه+مجمع+تشخیص+مصلحت+نظام+-+۲۹+دی+۱۳۹۷.jpg, Seyyed
''Sayyid'' (, ; ar, سيد ; ; meaning 'sir', 'Lord', 'Master'; Arabic plural: ; feminine: ; ) is a surname of people descending from the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his grandsons, Hasan ibn Ali and Husayn ibn Ali, sons of Muhammad' ...
Ebrahim Raisi
Sayyid Ebrahim Raisolsadati ( fa, سید ابراهیم رئیسالساداتی; born 14 December 1960), commonly known as Ebrahim Raisi ( fa, ابراهیم رئیسی ), is an Iranian principlist politician, Muslim jurist, and the eight ...
File:Saeed Jalili 13991023 1647093.jpg, Sa'id Jalili
File:Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf 2013.png, Mohamad Bagher Ghalibaf
*
Abbas Vaez-Tabasi
Abbas Vaez Tabasi ( fa, عباس واعظ طبسی; 25 June 1935 – 4 March 2016) was an influential Iranian cleric who held memberships at different institutions. He was Grand Imam and Chairman of the Astan Quds Razavi board from 1979 until his ...
, 25 June 1935 – 4 March 2016; Grand Imam and Chairman of the
Astan Quds Razavi
Astan Quds Razavi ( fa, آستان قدس رضوی, Āstān-e Qods-e Razavi) is a bonyad based at Mashhad, Iran. It is the administrative organization which manages the Imam Reza shrine and various institutions which belong to the organization.
...
board
*
Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, born 1959 in Shirvan; Interior Minister of President
Hassan Rouhani
*
Abu Muslim Khorasani, c. 700–755; Abu Muslim Abd al-Rahman ibn Muslim al-Khorasani, Abbasid general of Persian origin
*
Al-Ghazali
Al-Ghazali ( – 19 December 1111; ), full name (), and known in Persian-speaking countries as Imam Muhammad-i Ghazali (Persian: امام محمد غزالی) or in Medieval Europe by the Latinized as Algazelus or Algazel, was a Persian poly ...
, 1058–1111; Islamic theologian, jurist, philosopher, cosmologist, psychologist and mystic of Persian origin
*
Al-Hurr al-Aamili
Muhammad bin al-Ḥasan bin Ali bin al-Ḥusayn al-Ḥurr al-ʿĀmili al-Mashghari ( ar, مُحَمَّد ٱبْن ٱلْحَسَن ٱبْن عَلِيّ ٱبْن ٱلْحُسَيْن ٱلْحُرّ ٱلْعَامِلِيّ ٱلْمَشْغَرِي ...
, Shia scholar and muhaddith
*
Ali al-Sistani
Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani ( ar, علي الحسيني السيستاني; fa, , Ali-ye Hoseyni-ye Sistāni; born 4 August 1930), commonly known as Ayatollah Sistani, is an Iranian–Iraqi Twelver Shia Ayatollah and marja'. He has been describe ...
, born approximately August 4, 1930; Twelver Shi'a marja residing in Iraq since 1951
*
Amirteymour Kalali
Amirteymour Kalali (5 October 1895 – 11 February 1988)http://www.iichs.iمحمدابراهیم امیرتیمور (کلالی)/ref> ( fa, امیرتیمور کلالی), also known as Sardar Nosrat, was a prominent Iranian statesman and aristo ...
, prominent Iraninan statesman
*
Ebrahim Raisi
Sayyid Ebrahim Raisolsadati ( fa, سید ابراهیم رئیسالساداتی; born 14 December 1960), commonly known as Ebrahim Raisi ( fa, ابراهیم رئیسی ), is an Iranian principlist politician, Muslim jurist, and the eight ...
, b. 1960; scholar and President-elect of Iran
*
Goharshad Begum
Gawhar Shad ( fa, , Gawaršād; meaning "joyful jewel" or "shining jewel"; alternative spelling: Gohar Shād; died 19 July 1457) was the chief consort of Shah Rukh, the emperor of the Timurid Empire.
Life
She was the daughter of Giāth ud-Din ...
, Persian noble and wife of Shāh Rukh, the emperor of the Timurid dynasty of Herāt
*
Hadi Khamenei
Sayyid Hadi Khamenei ( fa, سید هادی خامنهای; born 26 January 1948) is an Iranian reformist politician, mujtahid and linguist.(14 February 1999Reformist Kin of Iran Leader is Attacked by Militants''The New York Times'' He is a key ...
, b. 1947; mid-ranking cleric who is a member of the reformist Association of Combatant Clerics
*
Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi, born 21 March 1959 in
Fariman
Fariman ( fa, فريمان; also Romanized as Farīmān; also known as Farīmūn) is a city and capital of Fariman County, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 32,610, in 8,203 families.
Notable people
* Khodada ...
; Minister of Health and Medical Education of President
Hassan Rouhani
*
Hassan Rahimpour Azghadi
Hassan Rahimpour-Azghadi ( fa, حسن رحیمپور ازغدی, born 1964/1965) is an Iranian conservative public speaker, conspiracy theorist and ideologue. He has been a member of Iran's Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution since 200 ...
, Conservative political strategist and television personality in the Islamic Republic of Iran
*
Hossein Vahid Khorasani
Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Hossein Wahid Khorasani ( fa, حسین وحید خراسانی; born Mohammad-Hossein Molla-Saleh (Persian: ); 1 January 1921) is an Iranian author and Shia marja'.
He is the current head of the Qom Seminary. Khorasa ...
, born in 1924; Iranian Twelver Shi'a Marja
*
Mohammad-Ali Abtahi
Mohammad-Ali Abtahi ( fa, محمدعلی ابطحی; born January 27, 1958) is an Iranian theologian, scholar, pro-democracy activist and chairman of the Institute for Interreligious Dialogue. He is a former Vice President of Iran and a close as ...
, born January 27, 1958; former Vice President of Iran and a close associate of former reformist President Khatami
*
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf or Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf ( fa, محمد باقر قالیباف, born 23 August 1961) is an Iranian conservative politician, former military officer, and current Speaker of the Parliament of Iran since 2020. He held off ...
, born 23 August 1961 in Torghabeh, near Mashhad; the former Mayor of Tehran and current Speaker of Parliament
*
Mohammad-Kazem Khorasani
Ayatullah Sheikh Muhammad Kazim Khurasani ( fa, ; 1839 – 12 December 1911), commonly known as Akhund Khurasani ( fa, ) was a Shia jurist and political activist.
He is known for using his position as a Marja as legitimizing force behind the ...
, 1839–1911; Twelver Shi'a Marja, Persian (Iranian) politician, philosopher, reformer
*
Morteza Motahhari
Morteza Motahhari ( fa, مرتضی مطهری, also Romanized as "Mortezā Motahharī"; 31 January 1919 – 1 May 1979) was an Iranian Twelver Shia scholar, philosopher, lecturer. Motahhari is considered to have an important influence on th ...
, 31 January 1919 in
Fariman
Fariman ( fa, فريمان; also Romanized as Farīmān; also known as Farīmūn) is a city and capital of Fariman County, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 32,610, in 8,203 families.
Notable people
* Khodada ...
– 1 May 1979; an Iranian cleric, philosopher, lecturer, and politician
*
Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, born February 1201 in Tūs, Khorasan – 26 June 1274 in al-Kāżimiyyah near Baghdad; Persian of the Ismaili and subsequently Twelver Shī'ah Islamic belief
*
Nizam al-Mulk, 1018 – 14 October 1092; celebrated Persian scholar and vizier of the Seljuq Empire
*
Saeed Jalili
Saeed Jalili ( fa, سعید جلیلی; born 1 September 1965) is an Iranian conservative politician and diplomat who was secretary of the Supreme National Security Council from 2007 to 2013. He is currently member of the Expediency Discernment ...
, born 1965 in Mashhad; Iranian politician and the former present secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council
*
Seyed Hassan Firuzabadi, current major general, Islamic Republic of Iran
*
Seyyed Ali Khamenei
Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei ( fa, سید علی حسینی خامنهای, ; born 19 April 1939) is a Twelver
Twelver Shīʿīsm ( ar, ٱثْنَا عَشَرِيَّة; '), also known as Imāmīyyah ( ar, إِمَامِيَّة), is ...
, born 17 July 1939; former president and current supreme leader of Iran
* Shahrukh (Timurid dynasty), August 20, 1377 – March 12, 1447; ruler of the eastern portion of the empire established by the Central Asian warlord Timur (Tamerlane)
*
Shaykh Tusi
Shaykh Tusi ( fa, شیخ طوسی), full name ''Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Hassan Tusi'' ( ar, ابو جعفر محمد بن حسن طوسی), known as Shaykh al-Taʾifah ( ar, links=no, شيخ الطائفة) was a prominent Persian scholar of the ...
, 385–460 A.H.; prominent Persian scholar of the Shi'a Twelver Islamic belief
* Sheikh Ali Tehrani, brother-in-law of Seyyed Ali Khamenei, currently living in Iran. He is one of the oppositions of current Iranian government.
Artists
File:Statue of Ferdowsi in Tus, Iran 3 (cropped).jpg, Abolghasem Ferdowsi Pazh, one of the world's longest epic poems created by a single poet, and the greatest epic of Persian speaking countries.
File:Mohamdreza Shajarian.jpg, Mohammad-Reza Shajarian
Mohammad-Reza Shajarian ( fa, محمدرضا شجريان; , 23 September 1940 – 8 October 2020) was an Iranian singer and master (''Ostad'') of Persian traditional music. He was also known for his skills in Persian calligraphy and humanitaria ...
( Siyavash Bidgani), Singer-songwriter received the Picasso Award, UNESCO Mozart Medal The UNESCO Mozart Medal is an award named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and administered by UNESCO.
Recipients
* Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, 1991
* Alicia Terzian, 1995
* Elfi von Dassanowsky, 1996
* Igor Moiseyev, 2001, for "outstanding contribution ...
and National Order of Merit (France)
File:Darya Dadvar.jpg, Darya Dadvar, Soprano soloist and composer
File:25BAND_by_Pouria_Afkhami_aka_pixoos_ADEL_and_TAMIN.png, Tamin and A-del in 25 (Toos) band.
*
25band
25band ( fa, ۲۵ باند) is an Iranian music band originating from Mashhad, Iran. The band was formed in 2010 by Tamin (Tahmineh تهمینه) along with A-del (Adel عادل) as the vocalists. The name 25band means Tus, Iran, Tus, the city that ...
, both singers born in Mashhad; Pop Group formed in 2010
*
Abdi Behravanfar, born June 1975 in Mashhad; an Iranian Singer, guitar player and singer-songwriter
*
Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia, born 19 April 1971; musician/dj (co-founder of Deep Dish)
*
Amir Ghavidel
Amir Ghavidel (Persian: امیر قویدل) (22 March 1947 – 8 November 2009) was an Iranian writer and filmmaker. He started his artistic life at a young age from performing street theatre in his hometown Mashad, before moving to Tehran w ...
, March 1947 – November 2009; an Iranian director and script writer
*
Anoushirvan Arjmand
Anoushirvan Arjmand (; 19 October 1941 – 14 December 2014) was an Iranian actor, best known for his roles in films such as '' Duel'' (2004), '' Tardid'' (2009), and '' He Who Said No'' (2014). He also appeared in the television series ' ...
, Iranian actor
* Borzoo Arjmand, born 1975 in Mashhad; Iranian Cinema, Theatre, and Television actor
*
Dariush Arjmand
Dariush Arjmand ( fa, داریوش ارجمند; born 27 July 1944 in Mashhad, Iran) is an Iranian actor.
A son of a military father and a housewife mother, he was born in Mashhad and grew up in Mashhad. He started performing in plays at the age ...
, Iranian actor
*
Darya Dadvar, born 1971 in Mashhad; an accomplished Iranian soprano soloist and composer
*
Hamed Behdad, born 17 November 1973 in Mashhad; Iranian actor
*
Hamid Motebassem
Hamid Motebassem ( Persian: حمید متبسم) (b. 1958 Mashhad) is a classical Persian musician and tar and setar player.
His first teacher was his father. Later, he studied with musicians like Mohammad Reza Lotfi, Hossein Alizadeh and Hus ...
, born 1958 in Mashhad; Iranian musician and tar and setar player
* Hosein Eblis is considered one of pioneers of "Persian Rap" along with
Hichkas
Soroush Lashkari ( fa, سروش لشکری; born 9 May 1985), known professionally as Hichkas ( fa, هیچکس), is an Iranian rapper, singer, and songwriter. Credited with popularizing Persian hip hop to the Iranian people and other Persian-sp ...
and Reza Pishro
*
Homayoun Shajarian
Homayoun Shajarian ( fa, همايون شجريان, born May 21, 1975) is an Iranian singer. He is the son of Mohammad-Reza Shajarian.
Early life
Shajarian was born in Tehran and is the son of Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, a grand master vocalist ...
,
Mohammad-Reza Shajarian
Mohammad-Reza Shajarian ( fa, محمدرضا شجريان; , 23 September 1940 – 8 October 2020) was an Iranian singer and master (''Ostad'') of Persian traditional music. He was also known for his skills in Persian calligraphy and humanitaria ...
's son, born 21 May 1975; renowned Persian classical music vocalist, as well as a Tombak and Kamancheh player
*
Iran Darroudi, born 2 September 1936 in Mashhad; Iranian artist
*
Javad Jalali, born 30 May 1977 in Mashhad; Iranian Photographer and Cinematographer
*
Mahdi Bemani Naeini, born 3 November 1968; Iranian film director, cinematographer, TV cameraman and photographer
*
Marshall Manesh
Marshall Manesh (born August 16, 1950) is an Iranian-American actor.
Biography
When Manesh was young, his father died; he was raised by his mother, from whom he feels he got his strength to make it in show business.
He went to the United S ...
, born 16 August 1950 in Mashhad; Iranian-American actor
*
Mitra Hajjar, born 4 February 1977; Iranian actress
*
Mohammad-Reza Shajarian
Mohammad-Reza Shajarian ( fa, محمدرضا شجريان; , 23 September 1940 – 8 October 2020) was an Iranian singer and master (''Ostad'') of Persian traditional music. He was also known for his skills in Persian calligraphy and humanitaria ...
, born 23 September 1940 in Mashhad; internationally and critically acclaimed Persian traditional singer, composer and Master (Ostad) of Persian music
*
Mohsen Namjoo
Mohsen Namjoo ( fa, محسن نامجو) is an Iranian singer-songwriter, composer and musician. His style of music is influenced by blues and rock as well as Iranian folk music.
Early life and education
Namjoo was born on 4 March 1976 in Torba ...
, born 1976 in Torbat-e-Jaam; Iranian singer-songwriter, author, musician, and setar player
*
Navid Negahban
Navid Negahban ( fa, نوید نگهبان; born June 2, 1968) is an Iranian-American actor. He has appeared on '' 24'', ''Homeland'', '' Mistresses'' and as Amahl Farouk / Shadow King in the second and third seasons of FX's ''Legion''. He has al ...
, born 2 June 1968 in Mashhad; Iranian-American actor
*
Noureddin Zarrinkelk
Noureddin Zarrinkelk (born 9 April 1937, in Mashhad), also spelled Zarrin-Kelk, also known as Noori or Nouri, is an Iranian animator, concept artist, editor, graphic designer, illustrator, layout artist, photographer, script writer, educator, and ...
, born 1937 in Mashhad; renowned Iranian animator, concept artist, editor, graphic designer, illustrator, layout artist, photographer, script writer and sculptor
*
Ovanes Ohanian
Ovanes Ohanian ( hy, Հովհաննես Օհանյան, fa, اوانس اوهانیانس; October 1896 – September 1960) was an Armenian-Iranian filmmaker, inventor, founder, doctor, scientist with PhD in medicine, film, science and langu ...
, ?–1961 Tehran; Armenian-Iranian filmmaker who established the first film school in Iran
*
Pouran Jinchi, born 1959 in Mashhad; Iranian-American artist
*
Rafi Pitts
Rafi Pitts ( fa, رفیع پیتز, born 1967) is an Iranian film director.
Life and career
Pitts was born in Mashad, Iran. Rafi spent his childhood in Tehran, where he lived in a basement flat underneath a post-production studio. He came to Eng ...
, born 1967 in Mashhad; internationally acclaimed Iranian film director
*
Reza Attaran, born 31 March 1968 in Mashhad; Iranian actor and director
*
Reza Kianian
Reza Kianian ( fa, رضا کیانیان , born June 19, 1951 in Tehran) is an Iranian actor. He has received various accolades, including two Crystal Simorgh, a Hafez Award and two Iran Cinema Celebration Awards.
Early life
Kianian is the se ...
, born 17 July 1951 in Mashhad; Iranian actor
Scientists
File:Jabir ibn Hayyan.jpg, Jabir ibn Hayyan
Abū Mūsā Jābir ibn Ḥayyān (Arabic: , variously called al-Ṣūfī, al-Azdī, al-Kūfī, or al-Ṭūsī), died 806−816, is the purported author of an enormous number and variety of works in Arabic, often called the Jabirian corpus. The ...
*
Abū al-Wafā' Būzjānī
Abū al-Wafāʾ, Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā ibn Ismāʿīl ibn al-ʿAbbās al-Būzjānī or Abū al-Wafā Būzhjānī ( fa, ابوالوفا بوزجانی or بوژگانی) (10 June 940 – 15 July 998) was a Persian mathematician ...
, 10 June 940 – 1 July 998; Persian mathematician and astronomer
*
Abū Ja'far al-Khāzin
Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Husayn Khazin ( fa, ابوجعفر خازن خراسانی; 900–971), also called Al-Khazin, was an Iranian Muslim astronomer and mathematician from Khorasan. He worked on both astronomy and number theory.
Al-Khazin was ...
, 900–971; Persian astronomer and mathematician from Khorasan
*
Jābir ibn Hayyān
Abū Mūsā Jābir ibn Ḥayyān (Arabic: , variously called al-Ṣūfī, al-Azdī, al-Kūfī, or al-Ṭūsī), died 806−816, is the purported author of an enormous number and variety of works in Arabic, often called the Jabirian corpus. The ...
, c. 721 in Tus – c. 815 in Kufa; prominent
polymath
A polymath ( el, πολυμαθής, , "having learned much"; la, homo universalis, "universal human") is an individual whose knowledge spans a substantial number of subjects, known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific pro ...
, a
chemist and alchemist,
astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist in the field of astronomy who focuses their studies on a specific question or field outside the scope of Earth. They observe astronomical objects such as stars, planets, moons, comets and galaxies – in either ...
and
astrologer,
engineer
Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while considering the limit ...
,
geographer
A geographer is a physical scientist, social scientist or humanist whose area of study is geography, the study of Earth's natural environment and human society, including how society and nature interacts. The Greek prefix "geo" means "earth" a ...
,
philosopher,
physicist
A physicist is a scientist who specializes in the field of physics, which encompasses the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe.
Physicists generally are interested in the root or ultimate cau ...
, and
pharmacist and physician
*
Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, born February 1201 in Tūs, Khorasan – 26 June 1274 in al-Kāżimiyyah near Baghdad; Persian of the Ismaili and subsequently Twelver Shī'ah Islamic belief
*
Sharaf al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī
Sharaf al-Dīn al-Muẓaffar ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Muẓaffar al-Ṭūsī ( fa, شرفالدین مظفر بن محمد بن مظفر توسی; 1135 – 1213) was an Iranian mathematician and astronomer of the Islamic Golden Age (during the ...
, 1135–1213; Persian mathematician and astronomer of the Islamic Golden Age (during the Middle Ages)
Entrepreneurs
File:Mahmoud Khayami.png, Mahmoud Khayami
Mahmoud Khayami, CBE, KSS, GCFO (7 January 1930 – 28 February 2020) was an Iranian industrialist and philanthropist of French nationality.
Life
Mahmoud Khayami was born in 1930 in Mashhad, Persia where he attended elementary and high scho ...
, businessman, philanthropist and Industrialist an Honorary CBE
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
, KSS, GCFO
File:AnoushehAnsari.jpg, Anousheh Ansari
Anousheh Ansari ( fa, انوشه انصاری ; née Raissyan; born September 12, 1966) is an Iranian American engineer and co-founder and chairwoman of Prodea Systems. Her previous business accomplishments include serving as co-founder and CEO o ...
Iranian-American engineer, co-founder
An organizational founder is a person who has undertaken some or all of the formational work needed to create a new organization, whether it is a business, a charitable organization, a governing body, a school, a group of entertainers, or any othe ...
and chairman of Prodea Systems, co-founder and CEO of Telecom Technologies, Inc. (TTI), sponsor of the Ansari X Prize
*
Anousheh Ansari
Anousheh Ansari ( fa, انوشه انصاری ; née Raissyan; born September 12, 1966) is an Iranian American engineer and co-founder and chairwoman of Prodea Systems. Her previous business accomplishments include serving as co-founder and CEO o ...
, born 12 September 1966; the Iranian-American co-founder and chairman of Prodea Systems, Inc and a spaceflight participant with the Russian space program
*
Hossein Sabet, Iranian businessman and Persian carpet dealer who owns Sabet International Trading Co.
*
Mahmoud Khayami
Mahmoud Khayami, CBE, KSS, GCFO (7 January 1930 – 28 February 2020) was an Iranian industrialist and philanthropist of French nationality.
Life
Mahmoud Khayami was born in 1930 in Mashhad, Persia where he attended elementary and high scho ...
, born 1930 in Mashhad, Iran; Iranian born industrialist and philanthropist, of French nationality
Sports figures
File:Heshmat Mohajerani.jpg, Heshmat Mohajerani
Heshmatollah Mohajerani ( fa, , born 13 December 1939) is a retired Iranian association football midfielder and manager.
Early life and playing career
Mohajerani was born to Asadoolah Mohajerani and Leila Nassiri in a family of six siblings ...
, footballer
A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby ...
and former football manager
File:Iran vs. Montenegro 2014-05-26 (079).jpg, Reza Ghoochannejhad
Reza Ghoochannejhad Nournia ( fa, رضا قوچاننژاد نورنیا; born 20 September 1987) is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is also known as Gucci in Belgium and Netherlands. Having played for the Nether ...
, footballer
A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby ...
File:Rasoul Khadem 2016 Summer Olympics.jpg, Rasoul Khadem
Rasoul Khadem Azghadi ( fa, رسول خادم ازغدی, born March 18, 1972) is a former Iranian wrestler who has won a bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics and a gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics. He was also the 1994 and 1995 world c ...
, Wrestling
Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat ...
coach
*
Abbas Chamanyan, Iranian football coach, manager, and former player
* Abbas Golmakani, World's wrestling champion during the 1950s
* Abolfazl Safavi, Iran professional football player for Aboumoslem team in Takhte Jamshid League; He was later executed in prison by the Iranian regime in 1982 for his affiliation with Iranian opposition, the MEK
*
Ali Baghbanbashi, athlete
*
Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht, born 30 June 1980 in Mashhad; Iranian professional football player
*
Amir Ghaseminejad, judoka
*
Amir Reza Khadem
Amir Reza Khadem Azghadi ( fa, امیررضا خادم ازغدی, born February 10, 1970) is an Iranian wrestler who won Olympic bronze medals in 1992 and 1996. He finished fourth at the 2000 Summer Olympics, and he won the 1991 World Champions ...
, born 10 February 1970 in Mashhad, wrestler
*
Amir Tavakkolian
Amir Tavakkolian ( fa, امیر توکلیان, born 7 September 1971 in Mashhad) is an Iranian wrestler
Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, ...
, wrestler
* Farbod Farman, basketballer
*
Farhad Zarif
Farhad Zarif ( fa, فرهاد ظریف; born 3 March 1983, Mashhad) is an Iranian volleyball player who plays for Paykan Tehran and he's a previous player of Iran national team. Zarif was invited to national team in 2006.
Honours
National team ...
, born 3 March 1983, Volleyballer
*
Ghodrat Bahadori, Iranian Futsaler/Indoor soccer player
*
Hamed Afagh
Hamed Afagh Eslamieh ( fa, حامد آفاق اسلامیه , born February 1, 1983) is a professional Iranian basketball player who plays for Shahrdari Arak of the Iranian Super League and also for the Iranian national basketball team. He is ...
, basketballer
*
Hamid Reza Mobarez, swimmer
* Hasan Kamranifar, Iranian football referee
*
Heshmat Mohajerani
Heshmatollah Mohajerani ( fa, , born 13 December 1939) is a retired Iranian association football midfielder and manager.
Early life and playing career
Mohajerani was born to Asadoolah Mohajerani and Leila Nassiri in a family of six siblings ...
, born January 1936 in Mashhad, Iran; Iranian football coach, manager, and former player
*
Hossein Badamaki
Hossein Badamaki ( fa, حسین بادامكی, born 13 September 1981) is a retired Iranian Footballer who plays for Aboumoslem and Persepolis among other clubs in Persian Gulf Pro League.
Club career
He was influential in the IPL 2005/06 ...
, Iranian professional football player
* Hossein Ghadam, Iran professional football player for Aboumoslem team
* Hossein Sokhandan, Iranian football referee
*
Hossein Tayyebi, Iranian Futsaler/Indoor soccer player
*
Javad Mahjoub
Javad Mahjoub ( fa, جواد محجوب, born 26 May 1991 in Chenaran, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran) is an Iranian judoka.
He competed for Iran at the following tournaments:
* 2010 Asian Games, 7th
* 2011 World Judo Championships, Quarter-f ...
, judoka
*
Khodadad Azizi
Khodadad Azizi ( fa, خداداد عزیزی; born 22 June 1971) is an Iranian football coach and former player who played as a striker.
Club career
After playing for a few clubs in Iran and following his performance in Asia, he moved to Germa ...
, born 22 June 1971 in Mashhad, Iran; retired professional football striker
*
Kia Zolgharnain
Kia Zolgharnain (born November 10, 1965) is an Iranian-American soccer coach and former player who is the current head coach and technical director of Akron City FC. As a player, Zolgharnain was a forward who led the American Indoor Soccer Ass ...
, Iranian-American former Futsaler/Indoor soccer player
*
Mahdi Javid
Mahdi Javid ( fa, مهدی جاوید; born 3 May 1987) is an Iranian professional futsal player. He is currently a member of Mes Sungun in the Iranian Futsal Super League. He was named the best player of the Asian Clubs Cup in 2018 by the AF ...
, Iranian Futsaler/Indoor soccer player
*
Majid Khodaei
Majid Khodaei ( fa, مجید خدایی, born 26 August 1978 in Mashhad) is an Iranian former wrestler.
Other Tournaments
He participated at the following other tournaments:
*2001 World Wrestling Championships
The following is the f ...
, wrestler
*
Maryam Sedarati
Maryam Sedarati ( fa, مریم صدارتی; born 1 June 1950) is a retired Iranian athlete. In 1973 she became the first Iranian woman to win a medal at an international athletics competition, a bronze in the high jump at the Asian Championship ...
, athlete, Iran record holder in women high jump for three decades
*
Masoud Haji Akhondzadeh, judoka
*
Mohammad Khadem
Mohamed Khadem Khorasani Azghadi ( fa, محمد خادم خراسانی ازغدى, 7 September 1935 – 24 November 2020) was an Iranian featherweight freestyle wrestler. He won a silver medal at the 1962 World Championships and placed eighth a ...
, wrestler
*
Mohammad Mansouri, Iranian professional football player
* Mohsen Ghahramani, Iranian football referee
*
Mohsen Torki, Iranian football referee
*
Rasoul Khadem
Rasoul Khadem Azghadi ( fa, رسول خادم ازغدی, born March 18, 1972) is a former Iranian wrestler who has won a bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics and a gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics. He was also the 1994 and 1995 world c ...
, born 17 February 1972 in Mashhad, wrestler
*
Reza Enayati, Iranian professional football player
*
Reza Ghoochannejhad
Reza Ghoochannejhad Nournia ( fa, رضا قوچاننژاد نورنیا; born 20 September 1987) is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is also known as Gucci in Belgium and Netherlands. Having played for the Nether ...
, Iranian-Dutch professional football player
*
Rouzbeh Arghavan
Rouzbeh Arghavan (), born May 18, 1988) is a professional Iranian basketball player who currently plays for the national team. He started with the national youth team. He is the second tallest player of Iran's national basketball team, who play ...
, basketballer
Pahlavic politicians
File:Abdolhossein Teymourtash.jpg, Abdol-Hoseyn Teymoortash, influential Iranian statesman who served as the first minister of court of the Pahlavi dynasty.
File:Manuchehr Eghbal.jpg, Manouchehr Eghbal
Manouchehr Eghbal ( fa, منوچهر اقبال; 13 October 1909 – 25 November 1977) was an Iranian physician and royalist politician. He was the Prime Minister of Iran from 1957 to 1960.
Early life and education
Eghbal was born in 1909, and h ...
, 65th Prime Minister of Iran
*
Abdolhossein Teymourtash
Abdolhossein Teymourtash ( fa, عبدالحسین تیمورتاش; 25 September 1883 – 3 October 1933) was an influential Iranian statesman who served as the first minister of court of the Pahlavi dynasty from 1925 to 1932, and is credited ...
, prominent Iraninan statesman and first minister of justice under the Pahlavis
*
Manouchehr Eghbal
Manouchehr Eghbal ( fa, منوچهر اقبال; 13 October 1909 – 25 November 1977) was an Iranian physician and royalist politician. He was the Prime Minister of Iran from 1957 to 1960.
Early life and education
Eghbal was born in 1909, and h ...
, 14 October 1909 – 25 November 1977, a Prime Minister of Iran
;Writers and literatures
*
Abolfazl Beyhaqi
Abūʾl-Faḍl Muḥammad ibn Ḥusayn Bayhaqī ( fa, ابوالفضل محمد بن حسین بیهقی; died September 21, 1077), better known as Abu'l-Faḍl Bayhaqi (; also spelled Beyhaqi), was a Persian secretary, historian and author.
Educ ...
, 995–1077; a Persian historian and author
*
Ali Akbar Fayyaz, a renowned historian of early Islam and literary critic, founder of the School of Letters and Humanities at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
*
Abu-Mansur Daqiqi, 935/942–976/980
*
Abusa'id Abolkhayr
Abū Saʿīd Abū'l-Khayr or Abusa'id Abolkhayr ( fa, ابوسعید ابوالخیر) , also known as Sheikh Abusaeid or Abu Sa'eed, was a famous Persian Sufi and poet who contributed extensively to the evolution of Sufi tradition.
The major ...
, 7 December 967 – 12 January 1049 / Muharram ul Haram 1, 357 – Sha'aban 4, 440 AH; a Persian Sufi who contributed extensively to the evolution of Sufi tradition
*
Anvari, 1126–1189, one of the greatest Persian poets
*
Asadi Tusi
Abu Nasr Ali ibn Ahmad Asadi Tusi ( fa, ابونصر علی بن احمد اسدی طوسی; – 1073) was a Persian poet, linguist and author. He was born at the beginning of the 11th century in Tus, Iran, in the province of Khorasan, and died i ...
, born in Tus, Iranian province of Khorasan, died 1072 Tabriz, Iran; Persian poet of Iranian national epics
*
Ferdowsi, 935–1020 in Tus; a Persian poet
*
Mehdi Akhavan-Sales
Mehdi Akhavān-Sāles, or Akhavān-Sāless ( fa, مهدی اخوان ثالث) (March 1, 1929 in Mashhad, Iran – August 26, 1990 in Tehran, Iran), pen name Mim. Omid ( fa, م. امید, meaning ''M. Hope'') was a prominent Iranian poet. He is ...
, 1928, Mashhad, Iran – 1990, Tehran, Iran; a Persian poet
*
Mohammad Mokhtari (writer)
Mohammad Mokhtari ( fa, محمد مختاری ) (April 21, 1942 – December 3, 1998) was an Iranian writer, poet and left-wing activist. He was an active member of the Iranian Writers Association, a group that had been long banned in Iran du ...
, Iranian writer who was murdered on the outskirts of Tehran in the course of the
Chain Murders of Iran
The chain murders of Iran ( fa, قتلهای زنجیرهای ایران) were a series of 1988–98 murders and disappearances of certain Iranian dissident intellectuals who had been critical of the Islamic Republic system. The murders an ...
.
*
Mohammad-Taghi Bahar, 6 November 1884, Mashhad, Iran – 22 April 1951; Tehran, Iran
.
.
Twin towns – sister cities
Mashhad is
twinned with:
*
Karachi
Karachi (; ur, ; ; ) is the most populous city in Pakistan and 12th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 20 million. It is situated at the southern tip of the country along the Arabian Sea coast. It is the former c ...
, Pakistan
*
Karbala, Iraq
*
Kuala Lumpur
, anthem = ''Maju dan Sejahtera''
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia
, pushpin_map_caption =
, coordinates =
, sub ...
, Malaysia
*
Lahore
Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest city ...
, Pakistan
*
Mazar-i-Sharif
, official_name =
, settlement_type = City
, image_skyline =
, pushpin_map = Afghanistan#Bactria#West Asia
, pushpin_label = Mazar-i-Sharif
, pushpin ...
, Afghanistan
*
Najaf
Najaf ( ar, ٱلنَّجَف) or An-Najaf al-Ashraf ( ar, ٱلنَّجَف ٱلْأَشْرَف), also known as Baniqia ( ar, بَانِيقِيَا), is a city in central Iraq about 160 km (100 mi) south of Baghdad. Its estimated popula ...
, Iraq
*
Ürümqi
Ürümqi ( ; also spelled Ürümchi or without umlauts), formerly known as Dihua (also spelled Tihwa), is the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the far northwest of the People's Republic of China. Ürümqi developed its ...
, China
Consulates
Active
* (1996–)
* (1975–)
* (1919–?,1930–?, 2014–)
* (1995–)
Former
* (1889–1975)
* (1889–1917)
* (1917–1937, 1941–1979)
* (1941–?)
* (1949–1979)
* Poland
*
*
*
*
* (c. 1984)
* (1995–2009)
* (2004–2016)
See also
*
The National Library of Astan Quds Razavi
*
Mashadi Jewish Community
*
Sport Sciences Research Institute of Iran
Footnotes
References
*
External links
Municipality of MashhadOfficial website (in Persian)
Astan Quds Razavi* Mashhad Portal Official website (in Persian)
MashhadBot''(An interactive Twitter bot for better communication between residents of Mashhad)'' at
Twitter
Twitter is an online social media and social networking service owned and operated by American company Twitter, Inc., on which users post and interact with 280-character-long messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and ...
{{Authority control
Mashhad
Populated places in Mashhad County
Cities in Razavi Khorasan Province
Iranian provincial capitals
Former capitals of Iran
Populated places along the Silk Road
Shia holy cities
Cities founded by Alexander the Great