Ahvaz: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Ahvaz2.PNG|thumb|left|90px|Ahvaz]] |
[[Image:Ahvaz2.PNG|thumb|left|90px|Ahvaz]] |
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According to the Encylopedia Iranica, the city might be built on the ruins of the Elamite city of Tareiana. It is definitely known to have been named Hormuzd Ardashir in Sassanid times; it was established by [[Ardashir I of Persia|Ardashēr-i Pāpagān]], founder of the [[Sassanid dynasty]]. The city had two sections, one inhabited by nobles, one by merchants. When the city was conquered by the invading Muslim armies of [[Umar ibn al-Khattab]] in the 7th century |
According to the Encylopedia Iranica, the city might be built on the ruins of the Elamite city of Tareiana. It is definitely known to have been named Hormuzd Ardashir in Sassanid times; it was established by [[Ardashir I of Persia|Ardashēr-i Pāpagān]], founder of the [[Sassanid dynasty]]. The city had two sections, one inhabited by nobles, one by merchants. When the city was conquered by the invading Muslim armies of [[Umar ibn al-Khattab]] in the 7th century, the nobles' section was demolished but the merchants' section remained intact. |
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This remnant of the pre-Islamic city was called ''Sūqu 'l-Ahwaz'', or the Market of Ahwaz, by the Arab conquerors. During the period of [[Ummayad]] and [[Abbasid]] Caliphs, Ahvaz (then known as Ahwaz) flourished; it was a center for the cultivation of sugar-cane and the home of many well-known scholars. Nearby stood the [[Academy of Gundishapur|Academy of Gundishapur (aka Jondishapour, Jondishapur)]], where the modern day teaching hospital is said to have been first invented. |
This remnant of the pre-Islamic city was called ''Sūqu 'l-Ahwaz'', or the Market of Ahwaz, by the Arab conquerors. During the period of [[Ummayad]] and [[Abbasid]] Caliphs, Ahvaz (then known as Ahwaz) flourished; it was a center for the cultivation of sugar-cane and the home of many well-known scholars. Nearby stood the [[Academy of Gundishapur|Academy of Gundishapur (aka Jondishapour, Jondishapur)]], where the modern day teaching hospital is said to have been first invented. |
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Ahvaz was devastated in the bloody Mongol invasions of the 13th and 14th centuries |
Ahvaz was devastated in the bloody Mongol invasions of the 13th and 14th centuries. Ahvaz declined into a mere village. The dam and irrigation channels, no longer maintained, eroded and finally collapsed early in the 19th century. |
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[[image:Ahvaz_adabiyat.jpg|thumb|left|Ahvaz College of Humanities and Literature]] |
[[image:Ahvaz_adabiyat.jpg|thumb|left|Ahvaz College of Humanities and Literature]] |
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Those who argue that the term is of Persian origin trace it to the |
Those who argue that the term is of Persian origin trace it to the |
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the ancient Persian term for the native [[Elamite]] peoples, ''Hūja''. This is said to have changed to Hūz, and then mispronounced by the Arab invaders as Ahwaz. They cite a 13th century |
the ancient Persian term for the native [[Elamite]] peoples, ''Hūja''. This is said to have changed to Hūz, and then mispronounced by the Arab invaders as Ahwaz. They cite a 13th century chronicler [[Yaqut al-Hamavi]] (1179-1229), (writing six centuries after the Arab conquest) who claimed that the words ''Khūz'', ''Hūz'', ''Ahwaz'' and ''Huwayza'' are of the same origin. |
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Some Ahwazi Arab separatists have argued that Ahwaz is an Arabic word. |
Some Ahwazi Arab separatists have argued that Ahwaz is an Arabic word. |
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Revision as of 08:57, 22 May 2005
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
The township of Ahvaz is built on the banks of the Karun River; it is the capital of the Iranian province of Khuzestan. The newer part of Ahvaz, the administrative and industrial center, has been built on the right bank of the Karun; residential areas are found in the old section of the city, on the left bank. Ahvaz is the largest city of the province. There are some 890,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate).
In 1989, the Fulad-e-Ahvaz steel facility was built close to the town. This company is best known for its company-sponsored soccer club, which was the chart-topper for Iran's Premier Football League in 2005. Ahvaz also supports another team, the Esteqlal-e-Ahvaz.
Ahvaz is also known for its universities as well as its role in commerce and industry. Ahvaz institutes of higher learning include:
- Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences
- Petroleum University of Technology
- Shahid Chamran University-Ahvaz
- Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz
History of Ahvaz
For a more comprehensive historical treatment of the area, see History of Khuzestan.
According to the Encylopedia Iranica, the city might be built on the ruins of the Elamite city of Tareiana. It is definitely known to have been named Hormuzd Ardashir in Sassanid times; it was established by Ardashēr-i Pāpagān, founder of the Sassanid dynasty. The city had two sections, one inhabited by nobles, one by merchants. When the city was conquered by the invading Muslim armies of Umar ibn al-Khattab in the 7th century, the nobles' section was demolished but the merchants' section remained intact.
This remnant of the pre-Islamic city was called Sūqu 'l-Ahwaz, or the Market of Ahwaz, by the Arab conquerors. During the period of Ummayad and Abbasid Caliphs, Ahvaz (then known as Ahwaz) flourished; it was a center for the cultivation of sugar-cane and the home of many well-known scholars. Nearby stood the Academy of Gundishapur (aka Jondishapour, Jondishapur), where the modern day teaching hospital is said to have been first invented.
Ahvaz was devastated in the bloody Mongol invasions of the 13th and 14th centuries. Ahvaz declined into a mere village. The dam and irrigation channels, no longer maintained, eroded and finally collapsed early in the 19th century.
In the 1880s the Karun River was dredged and re-opened to commerce. A newly-built railway crossed the Karun at Ahvaz. The area again became a commercial crossroads, linking river and rail traffic. The construction of the Suez Canal further stimulated trade. A port, called Bandar -e-Naseri, was built a short distance from the village of Ahvaz, but the two towns rapidly grew together.
Oil was found near Ahvaz in the early 20th century. Ahvaz became a rich and thriving city. During the Pahlavi period the town name was officially changed to its Persian form, Ahvaz.
Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein attempted to annex Khuzestan and Ahvaz in 1980, resulting in the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). Ahvaz was close to the front lines and suffered badly during the war.
Iraq had pressed its claims to Khuzestan in part because many of the inhabitants of the area spoke Arabic rather than Persian (Farsi), the dominant language in Iran. Iraq had hoped to exacerbate ethnic tensions and win over popular support for the invaders. Most accounts say that the Iranian Arab inhabitants resisted the Iraqis rather than welcome them as liberators. However, some Ahvazis (Ahwazis) claim that as minority Arabic-speakers they face discrimination; they agitate for more rights and more provincial self-rule. See Ethnic politics of Khuzestan.
Origin of the name Ahwaz or Ahvaz
It is a matter of some dispute as to whether the Persian term Ahvaz pre-dates the Arabic form Ahwaz, or whether the name Ahvaz might be of Arabic origin.
Those who argue that the term is of Persian origin trace it to the the ancient Persian term for the native Elamite peoples, Hūja. This is said to have changed to Hūz, and then mispronounced by the Arab invaders as Ahwaz. They cite a 13th century chronicler Yaqut al-Hamavi (1179-1229), (writing six centuries after the Arab conquest) who claimed that the words Khūz, Hūz, Ahwaz and Huwayza are of the same origin.
Some Ahwazi Arab separatists have argued that Ahwaz is an Arabic word.
Some famous Ahvazis
Many scientists, philosophers, and poets have come from Khuzestan, including:
- Abu Nuwas, a well-known poet
- Majusi the famous physician
- Abdullah-lbn-Meymoon Ahvazi
- Naubakht, an astronomer, and his sons;
- Jorjis, the son of Bakhtshooa Gondishapoori
- Ibn Sakit
- Da'bal-e-Khazai
See also
- Khuzestan
- History of Khuzestan
- Ethnic politics of Khuzestan
- Jundishapur
- Susa
- Elamite Empire
- Chogha Zanbil
External links
- Union of Iranian Southern Universities
- Fulad Ahvaz Football Club
- Esteqlal Ahvaz Football Club
- Iran Premiere League
- Haft Tappeh Archeological Site, North of Ahvaz
- Ayapir Archeological Site, North of Ahvaz
- Chogha Zanbil Elamite Ziggurat, north of Ahvaz
- Ahvaz Photo Gallery from the Khuzestan Governorship