Arg-e-Bam: Stronghold of an Ancient Civilization
March 2, 1998 - 0:0
The following is the first instalment of a two-part feature on the magnificent and historical Arg-e-Bam' monument as well as Arg-e-Jadid Bam complex. The second part will appear next Sunday on the same page (tourism). Brief Historical Background of Bam City BAM, Kerman Province According to historical documents, the city of Bam had been situated on the Silk Road, which connected the southwestern part of Iran to Sistan, Afghanistan and Baluchistan. In the Sassanian era, the city enjoyed significant military and commercial importance.
In 1131 A.H. the city was occupied by Mahmoud Afghan, but nevertheless due to people's uprising in Kandahar he had to leave Bam to suppress the insurgents. Upon his return he captured the city again in 1134 A.H. The city of Bam was then ruled by Afghans until Nader Shah Afshar defeated Ashraf Afghan and drove him out of Iranian territory.
It was in this city that Lutfali Khanand, the brave prince of Zand dynasty, was arrested in 1210 A.H. in Arg-e-Bam by the then ruler of the Arg Mohammad Ali Khan Sistani and handed over the popular prince to Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar. Immediately after his arrest, Lutfali Khan Zand the greatest swordsman of the East, and his arch enemy Afgha Mohammad Khan exchanged the following dialogue: Why didn't you say hello? I didn't see anyone.
Do you remember you were calling me monkey in Shiraz? You are the same beast and then he spat on his face. Khan Qajar ordered to gouge his eyes out of sockets. To celebrate this occasion, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar used severed heads of 600 of his opponents and piled them up on top of one another and made a minerate out of them.
Arg-e-Bam in Course of History Mirza Ali Akbar Dehkhoda, one of the noble contemporary men of letters, defines Arg in Persian a small military fortress standing within a bigger one. The majesty of Arg-e-Bam is so glorious that even the current remnants reveal its political, social and economic significant in the past. The traces of an outstanding civilization can be witnessed here.
In order to be secure from any offensive launched by the enemies, robbers and invaders, the foundation of an Arg was laid down some 2,250 years ago. Excavations carried out in recent years show that this historical monument belongs to Achaemenids era, but some historians say it may date back to many centuries before as full excavations have not taken place on the site.
Mahmoud Towhidi, the guide, a local resident from the city of Bam who has authentic information on the Arg says Bam is derived from the name of Bahman', one of the heroes of Shahnameh, compiled by Abulghasem Ferdowsi the greatest Persian epic poet. While explaining different parts of the Arg, Towhidi recited his poems for the audience to express the glorious historical background of this ancient Arg. Towhidi said the remaining residents left the Arg 180 years ago.
He said 528 houses have been identified so far along with traces of baazar, ancient Iranian sport complex (zoorkhaneh), Amir's bath, public bath, caravanserai, barracks, madresseh, wells, stables, a Zoroastrian temple turned into a mosque and the headquarters of rulers standing on top on the hill overlooking the whole surrounding region.
In 1131 A.H. the city was occupied by Mahmoud Afghan, but nevertheless due to people's uprising in Kandahar he had to leave Bam to suppress the insurgents. Upon his return he captured the city again in 1134 A.H. The city of Bam was then ruled by Afghans until Nader Shah Afshar defeated Ashraf Afghan and drove him out of Iranian territory.
It was in this city that Lutfali Khanand, the brave prince of Zand dynasty, was arrested in 1210 A.H. in Arg-e-Bam by the then ruler of the Arg Mohammad Ali Khan Sistani and handed over the popular prince to Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar. Immediately after his arrest, Lutfali Khan Zand the greatest swordsman of the East, and his arch enemy Afgha Mohammad Khan exchanged the following dialogue: Why didn't you say hello? I didn't see anyone.
Do you remember you were calling me monkey in Shiraz? You are the same beast and then he spat on his face. Khan Qajar ordered to gouge his eyes out of sockets. To celebrate this occasion, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar used severed heads of 600 of his opponents and piled them up on top of one another and made a minerate out of them.
Arg-e-Bam in Course of History Mirza Ali Akbar Dehkhoda, one of the noble contemporary men of letters, defines Arg in Persian a small military fortress standing within a bigger one. The majesty of Arg-e-Bam is so glorious that even the current remnants reveal its political, social and economic significant in the past. The traces of an outstanding civilization can be witnessed here.
In order to be secure from any offensive launched by the enemies, robbers and invaders, the foundation of an Arg was laid down some 2,250 years ago. Excavations carried out in recent years show that this historical monument belongs to Achaemenids era, but some historians say it may date back to many centuries before as full excavations have not taken place on the site.
Mahmoud Towhidi, the guide, a local resident from the city of Bam who has authentic information on the Arg says Bam is derived from the name of Bahman', one of the heroes of Shahnameh, compiled by Abulghasem Ferdowsi the greatest Persian epic poet. While explaining different parts of the Arg, Towhidi recited his poems for the audience to express the glorious historical background of this ancient Arg. Towhidi said the remaining residents left the Arg 180 years ago.
He said 528 houses have been identified so far along with traces of baazar, ancient Iranian sport complex (zoorkhaneh), Amir's bath, public bath, caravanserai, barracks, madresseh, wells, stables, a Zoroastrian temple turned into a mosque and the headquarters of rulers standing on top on the hill overlooking the whole surrounding region.