Behbahan
| Behbahan بهبهان |
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|---|---|
| — city — | |
 Behbahan
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| Coordinates: 30°35′45″N 50°14′30″E / 30.59583°N 50.24167°ECoordinates: 30°35′45″N 50°14′30″E / 30.59583°N 50.24167°E | |
| Country |  Iran |
| Province | Khuzestan |
| County | Behbahan |
| Bakhsh | Central |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 99,204 |
| Time zone | IRST (UTC+3:30) |
| • Summer (DST) | IRDT (UTC+4:30) |
Behbahan (Persian: بهبهان, also Romanized as Behbahān and Behbehān)[1] is a city in and the capital of Behbahan County, Khuzestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 99,204, in 24,204 families.[2]
To the north of the city lie the ruins of the ancient city Arrajan, built during the Sassanian period, where important remnants from the Elamite era can be found.
The people of Behbahan (Behbahanis) speak a Persian dialect distinct to their group, as well as Luri, and may still use words of Khuzi origin, the language of the original inhabitants of Khuzestan. Behbahanis claim various lines of descent: from the ancient peoples of Arrajan - the Lurs / nobility or the sons of Prophet Muhammad. The inhabitants of the suburban districts are primarily of Lur background. The majority of Behbahanis are remains of Arrajan (Arjan/Argan) after an earthquake destroyed a dam, which lead to the flooding of the city. People of Arrajan were originally Zoroastrian during the elamite period, and later on converted to Islam. The details of how or when they converted are unclear. According to the elderly of the city and the oral history, the current population of Behbahan consists of a mixture of 60% zoroastrian background, and 40% others. They are mostly Muslims, even those who still observe sabbath to be the holy day of the week. However, a large Baha'i minority can be noticed.
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[edit] Etymology
The name (Behbahan) was not mentioned in text books earlier than the 14th century. Because the land of what is currently known as Behbahan was part of Arya-gan (Argan) city instead; back then, the land of the current Behbahan was not inhabited. Since Arya-gan (Argan) city was destroyed in a natural disaster, most probably because of massive earth quakes and floodings, all survivors were forced to leave the ruins. A Luri group who lived in tents were forced to leave to another part of the city across the Maroon river. There, they founded a city on a plain of land where they started building better homes, the "Good Tents". Those tents were never made of wool in their new place. Instead, they were made out of bricks and clay.
The name Behbahan is a result of the combination of two words, "Beh" and "Bahan". The first part, "beh" (Persian: به), simply means "Good". The second part, "bahan" (Luri / Ancient Khuzi Iranian: بهان), means "a tent" used by Luri people. So, simply the name of Behbahan means the "Good Tent".[3]
[edit] Famous People
Marafi Behbahani, Reza Roghani, Nima project manager.
Ahmad Beladi Behbehani, leader of alleged Iranian terror.
[edit] References
- ^ Behbahan can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3055917" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
- ^ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)" (Excel). Islamic Republic of Iran. http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/06.xls.
- ^ [1], Meaning of Behbahan.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Behbahan can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3055917" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
- ^ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)" (Excel). Islamic Republic of Iran. http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/06.xls.
- ^ [1], Meaning of Behbahan.
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