History of the Kurds
Kurds are one of the Iranian peoples and speak a north-western Iranian language related to Persian.
With regard to the origin of the Kurds, it was formerly considered
sufficient to describe them as the descendants of the Carduchi, who
opposed the retreat of the Ten Thousand through the mountains in the 4th
century BC. But modern research traces them far beyond the period of
the Greeks. In their own histories, they are proud to mention the
Hurrian period in the mid third millennium BC as the earliest documented
period. The 3rd millennium was the time of the Guti and Hattians, the
2nd and 1st the time of the Kassites, Mitanni, Mannai, Urartu, and
Mushku. It should be mentioned that the Kurds are an Indo-European
people, whereas the above groups are thought to have been non
Indo-Europeans, apart from the original Mitanni leadership. However,
Kurds consider themselves as much Indo-European as they do any of these.
At the dawn of history the mountains overhanging Assyria were held by
a people named Gutii, a title which signified "a warrior", and which
was rendered in Assyrian by the synonym of Gardu or Kardu, the precise
term quoted by Strabo to explain the name of the Car daces. These Gutii
were a tribe of such power as to be placed in the early Cuneiform
records on an equality with the other nations of western Asia, that is,
with the Syrians and Hittites, the Susians, Elamites, and Akkadians of
Babylonia; and during the whole period of the Assyrian Empire they seem
to have preserved a more-or-less independent political position.
After the fall of Nineveh the Gutii coalesced with the Medes, and, in
common with all the nations inhabiting the high plateaus of Asia Minor,
Armenia and Persia, became gradually Aryanised, owing to the
immigration at this period of history of tribes in overwhelming numbers
who, from whatever quarter they may have sprung, belonged certainly to
the Aryan family.
Cyrus reduced the Gutii or Kurdu to subjection before he descended
upon Babylon, and furnished a contingent of fighting men to his
successors, being thus mentioned under the names of "Saspirians" and
"Alarodians" in the muster roll of the army of Xerxes, which Herodotus
has preserved.
In later times they passed successively under the sway of the
Macedonians, the Parthians, and Sassanids, being especially befriended,
if we may judge from tradition as well as from the remains still
existing in the country, by the Arsacid monarchs, who were probably of a
cognate race. Gotarzes indeed, whose name may perhaps be translated
"chief of the Gutii", was traditionally believed to be the founder of
the Gurans, the principal tribe of southern Kurdistan, and his name and
titles are still preserved in a Greek inscription at Behistun near the
Kurdish capital of Kermanshah.
Under the caliphs of Baghdad the Kurds were always giving trouble in
one quarter or another. In AD 838, and again in 905, formidable
insurrections occurred in northern Kurdistan; the amir, Aqpd-addaula,
was obliged to lead ten forces of the caliphate against the southern
Kurds, capturing the famous fortress of Sermaj, of which the ruins are
to be seen at the present day near Behistun, and reducing the province
of Shahrizor with its capital city now marked by the great mound of
Yassin Teppeh.
The most flourishing period of Kurdish power was probably during the
12th century, when the great Saladin, who belonged to the Rawendi branch
of the Hadabani tribe, founded the Ayyubite dynasty of Syria, and
Kurdish chieftain hips were established, not only to the east and west
of the Kurdistan mountains, but as far as Khorasan upon one side and
Egypt and Yemen on the other.
During the Mongol and Tatar domination of western Asia the Kurds in
the mountains remained for the most part passive, yielding a reluctant
obedience to the provincial governors of the plains. When Sultan Selim
I, after defeating Shah Ismail I in 1514, annexed Armenia and Kurdistan,
he entrusted the organization of the conquered territories to Idris,
the historian, who was a Kurd of Bitlis. Idris found Kurdistan bristling
with castles, held by hereditary tribal chiefs of Kurd, Arab, and
Armenian descent, who were practically independent, and passed their
time in tribal warfare or in raiding the agricultural population. He
divided the territory into sanjaks or districts, and, making no attempt
to interfere with the principle of heredity, installed the local chiefs
as governors. He also resettled the rich pastoral country between
Erzerum and Erivan, which had lain waste since the passage of Timur,
with Kurds from the Hakkari and Bohtan districts.
The system of administration introduced by Idris remained unchanged
until the close of the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-29. But the Kurds,
owing to the remoteness of their country from the capital and the
decline of Turkey, had greatly increased in influence and power, and had
spread westwards over the country as far as Angora.
After the war the Kurds attempted to free themselves from Turkish
control, and in 1834, after the Bedirkhan clan uprising, it became
necessary to reduce them to subjection. Reshid Pasha did this. The
principal towns were strongly garrisoned, and Turkish governors replaced
many of the Kurd beys. A rising under Bedr Khan Bey in 1843 was firmly
repressed, and after the Crimean War the Turks strengthened their hold
on the country. The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 was followed by the
attempt of Sheikh Obaidullah in 1880 - 1881 to found an independent Kurd
principality under the protection of Turkey. The attempt, at first
encouraged by the Porte, as a reply to the projected creation of an
Armenian state under the suzerainty of Russia, collapsed after
Obaidullah's raid into Persia, when various circumstances led the
central government to reassert its supreme authority. Until the
Russo-Turkish War of 1828-29 there had been little hostile feeling
between the Kurds and the Armenians, and as late as 1877 - 1878 the
mountaineers of both races had co-existed fairly well together. Both
suffered from Turkey, both dreaded Russia. But the national movement
amongst the Armenians, and its encouragement by Russia after the latest
war, gradually aroused race hatred and fanaticism.
In 1891 the activity of the Armenian Committees induced the Porte to
strengthen the position of the Kurds by raising a body of Kurdish
irregular cavalry, which was well armed and called Hamidieh after the
Sultan Abd-ul-Hamid II. The opportunities thus offered for plunder and
the gratification of race hatred brought out the worst qualities of the
Kurds. Minor disturbances constantly occurred, and were soon followed by
the massacre of Armenians at Sasun and other places, 1894 - 1896, in
which the Kurds took an active part.
This article uses text from 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
Kurdistan Province
Kordestan, or Kurdistan (in Persian: استان کردستان), is one of the
thirty provinces of Iran, not to be confused with the greater
geographical area of Kurdistan. It is in the west of the country,
bordering Iraq. The province of Kurdistan is 28,817 km2 in area and is
located in the west of Iran. It is bound by Iraq on its west, the
province of west Azerbaijan to its north, Zanjan to s northwest, and
Kermanshah to its south.
Map showing Iranian province of Kordestan
The capital of Kurdistan is the city of Sanandaj. Other major cities
of the province are Marivan, Baneh, Saqqez, Qorveh, Bijar, Kamyaran,
Sarvabad and Divandareh
History
Kurds
are Aryan tribes who migrated to the region several thousands years
ago. Situated on the ancient Silk Road, on the northern edge of the
Fertile Crescent, Kurdistan grew to be a prosperous area during the
middle Ages. In the early Islamic period, 637-641, all Kurdish castles
and fortifications Arabs occupied as well as major cities. In 634 AD
when Arabs Attacked Fars, Kurdish people of this state took part in the
war against Arabs for defending the city of Fasa. Finally Arabs defeated
Kurds in the year 636. In 835 one of the Kurdish leaders revolted
against Motasem the Caliph, but finally he was suppressed. Since then
Kurds revolted against the Caliphs several time but were defeated by
them. They also revolted against Buwayhid dynasty but they were defeated
as well. Mongols destroyed Kurdish cities and then during the time of
the Timurid and Turkmen, Kurdistan was the arena of conflicts between
different invaders. Its steady decline began in the 16th century when
sea traffic replaced the Silk Road. During the reign of Shah Ismail I,
the founder of Safavid dynasty, Ottoman Caliphs supported Sunnite Kurds
against Shiite government of Safavid. With the establishment of Zand
dynasty, for the first time in the history of Iran, a Kurdish dynasty
took the throne. In the late Zandieh period, some parts of west
Azarbaijan were under the seizure of Kurdish tribes. During 19th and
20th centuries AD, Kurdish tribes of the region revealed their inner
inclination for independence and establishment of a Kurdish government.
In 1946 AD, coincident with the occupation of Iran by the Allies, Ghazi
Mohammed formed the Peoples Republic of Kurdistan with the help of
Russians. But after complete evacuation of Iran by Allies and sending of
Iranian army forces to Azarbaijan and Kurdistan, this republic was
disintegrated.
Geography
Kurdistan Province is entirely a mountainous region that can be
divided into two western and eastern sections from topographical points
of view, which are located in the east and west of Sanandaj. Kurdistan
province, being predominantly covered by mountains and hills, has many
rivers, lakes; natural ice-stores and caves which render it rather
picturesque. Consequently, Kurdistan has always attracted a large number
of tourists and fans of mountaineering, ski, and water-sports.
Zarrinehorood,
302 km long, is one of the longest rivers of this province. Its banks
offer great opportunities for recreation and the river's plentiful water
renders itself ideal for water sports. This river runs northwards and
ultimately pours into lake Urumieh. Sirvan River is another prominent
river in this province. It runs over a long distance, eventually to join
the Tigris in Iraq. The banks of this river too are remarkably
attractive and pleasing. Ghezel Ozoon and Saminerhrood are two other
important rivers in this province. A large number of marine species and
birds live on the banks of the province's numerous rivers, which they
seem to find ideal habitats.
Lake Zarivar is the most beautiful waters of the province, which lies
at the feet to high mountains, providing a delightfully picturesque
sight. Its water is sparklingly fresh. The lake has a maximum depth of
50 m and an average depth of 3 m. think forests surround it. The whole
collection of the lake, the mountains and forests a fascinating
panorama. This lake, which has a length of 5 km and a maximum which
width of 1.7 km, lies to the west of Marivan. Lake Vahdat's dam, to the
north of Sanandaj, provides excellent opportunities for fishing and
water-sports.
Kurdistan
has the benefit of many resourceful mineral water springs. The most
outstanding of these are: Govaz to the northwest of Kamyaran, Abetalkh
close to Bijar and Baba Gargar to the north of Ghorveh.
Cave Karaftoo, close to Divandarreh, is a unique natural and at the
same time archeological site. Inside the cave there are a number of
ancient buildings known as the Temple of Heraclius, because the name of
this Greek god is carved on the ceiling of one of the halls. Cave
Shoovi, 267 m long, is another prominent cave, which lies near the city
of Baneh.
Mount Charkhaln 3,330 m high, mount Chehelcheshmeh, 3,173 m, Mount
Hussein Bak, 3,091 m, and Mount Masjede Mirza, 3,059 m, are the other
large mountains of Kurdistan.
Kurdistan has vast forests and refuges, where many animals and birds
live, safely from the harms of the human beings: the leopard, ram, wild
goat, hyena, jackal, wolf, fox, sable, weasel and such birds as the
partridge, wild duck, stork, parrot, eagle.
Climate
Kurdistan is one of the most mountainous regions in Iran and has a
generally mild and quite pleasant climate throughout the spring and
summer. Winters are long and can be very cold with heavy snowfalls.
People and culture
The population of the province in 1996 was 1,346,383 of which 52.42%
were urban dwellers and 47.58% rural dwellers. The sex ratio of the
Province is 104. The Kurdish people are the majority population in this
province, who consider them to be descended from the ancient Medes. They
speak Sorani-Kurdish which is a northwestern Iranian language closely
related to Persian. Azeri is spoken in some eastern parts of the
province. The region's historical name is Ardalan.
Industry
The major activities of the inhabitants are agriculture and modern
livestock farming. Wheat, barley, grains and fruits are the major
agricultural products. The chemical, metal, textile, leather and food
industries are the main industrial activities in this province.
Kurdistan Cities
Baneh:
The township of Baneh is in the extreme western part
of this province and is the neighborhood of Iraq. This township is
bounded on north and west by west- Azerbaijan in the east by Saqqez and
in the south by Iraq. Its center being the city of Baneh located 728 km.
from Tehran. Baneh is covered with forests and is full of various
trees. In the pre-Islamic period, a Zoroastrian tribe named "Qeh Qoo"
governed this area, but after the Arab invasion, 'Ekhtiar Diniha' took
over the rule. Till the mid 13th century the actual name of the city of
Baneh was Behrojeh.
But now the cemetery in the north east of the
city is called "Kohneh Baneh" A change in the city's location is due to a
massacre resulting from cholera, plaque, fire and tribal combats. The
city of Baneh is located in the altitudes and its route is on a gradient
Bijar:
The township of Bijar is located in the north east
of the province and it is restricted from the north to the provinces of
Zanjan and west Azarbayjan; from the east to the provinces of Zanjan and
Hamadan; from the south to the township of Qorveh and from the west to
the township of Sanandaj. Its center is Bijar, which is at a distance of
518 km. from Tehran. Bijar is one of the fertile areas of Kurdistan.
Its climate in winter is cold and dry and is moderate in summer. In the
Kurdish language the willow tree is called 'Bi' and the area of such
trees is called 'Bijar.' Thus because of abundance of willow trees, it
means the region of willows.
Divandareh:
The same is one of the new townships of this
province as before it was part of Sanandaj Township. This township is
located to the north of Sanandaj and is a mountainous region. It is
bounded in the north by west Azarbayjan in the east by Bijar and in the
west by Saqez. The city of Divandareh is located at a distance of 95 km.
north of Sanandaj. Divandareh has developed from a village to a city in
the last decade.
Kamyaran:
The said is one of the latest founded townships
of the province, prior to which it was part of the township of Sanandaj.
This township is located in the north of Sanandaj and is in a
mountainous region. This township is bounded in the north by Sanandaj,
in the east by Qorveh and Kermanshah province in the south by Kermanshah
and in the northwest by the township of Marivan. It is located 65 km.
from Sanandaj. This township has a pleasant climate in spring and
autumn. The general cultural distinctions in this region are similar to
other sectors of the province.
Marivan:
The township of Marivan is located in the west of
Iran and in the neighborhood of Iraq. It is bounded on north by Saqez,
in the south by Kamyaran and Kermanshah, and in the west by Iraq.
Marivan is a cold region and is a century old. Farhad Mirza Qajar who
governed just before the constitutional movement constructed a castle in
Marivan. This border city was in the neighborhood of the Ottoman
government.
Naseredin Shah ordered a castle to be built there in 1282
AH. In 1286 AH. , Haj Farhad Mo'tamed-o-Doleh further fortified the
structure and named it Shah Abad. After Haj Mohammad Ali Khan
Zafar-ol-Molk in the early Pahlavi era built a castle in Moosk Village
that is now used as a garrison and it is not far from the city. The
Zarivar Lake is to the west of the city of Marivan and has given a
special beauty to this city, in addition to being a recreational area.
Qorveh:
The township of Qorveh is located to the east of
the province. It is restricted from east to the Hamadan province from
the north to Bijar, from south to Hamadan and Kermanshah and from west
to Sanandaj. Its center is the city of Qorveh, which is located in a
large plain 93 km. east of Sanandaj and northwest of Hamadan and has
expanded in the direction of the Sanandaj road towards Hamadan. In the
past the seat of rule of this city was the Qaslan Village. Here the
governor of the times was responsible for the construction of some
buildings, a castle, mosque, bath, garden and large groves.
Today,
due to its distinctive geological characteristics, and mineral water
springs, visitors and tourists are attracted to this city.
Sanandaj:
This township is located in the center of the
Kurdistan province. It is limited to Divandareh from the north and to
Kamyaran from the south, to the east are Bijar and Qorveh, to the west
are the townships of Marivan and Saqez. Sanandaj is the provincial
capital of Kurdistan and lies at a distance of 500 km. from Tehran. This
city has a beautiful natural environment and pleasant climate
especially in autumn and spring.
Soleiman Khan Ardalan the governor
of Kurdistan constructed the Sahneh Dej (castle) during the Shah Safi
period (1038-1052 AH.). In the past, there was the Seer city instead of
present Sanandaj. Sanandaj was under the control of the Ardalan
household for duration of four centuries. The said are descendant of the
Sassanids. In the war between Iran and Ottomans in Safavid period, this
family sometimes sided Iran and sometimes the Ottomans. In 1146 AH.
Karim Khan Zand destroyed Sanandaj.
After a period of chaos, Khosrow
Khan Ardalan took over the power. From 1214 to 1240 AH. Eman Allah Khan,
son of Khosrow Khan governed in Sanandaj and to some extent he worked
for the sake of improvement of Sanandaj. In 1284 AH. due to the
dissatisfaction of the inhabitants, Haj Mirza Mo'tamed-o-Doleh the uncle
of Naseredin Shah governed in Kurdistan till the year 1291 AH. Now a
days Sanandaj is one of the beautiful townships of Iran and Kurdistan
province
Saqqez:
The township of Saqqez is located in the north west
of the province. To the north is the Province of west Azarbayjan
(Mahabad and Bukan). This township is limited from west to the township
of Baneh, from the south to Iraq and Marivan and from the east to
Sanandaj. The capital of this township is Saqez city and lies at a
distance of 706 km. from Tehran and 181 km. from Sanandaj. This township
in spring and summer has a cool and moderate climate.
This city
during the primary union of the Medes was their capital and was named
"Izirta". On the attack of Sargan II, the ruler of the Assyrian, the
Medes were defended and their fortifications destroyed. Thereafter, the
Sekaha tried to rebuild this city and they chose Saqez, and then named
"Eskit" as their capital. The present name of Saqez is derived from the
Sekeh (Seka-Eskit-Sakez) tribe. The city of Saqez was formerly in the
southwestern plain of the present city and today it is reputedly known
as old Saqez. Saqez city is located in the skirts of the attitudes and a
river runs through it. It is one of the most beautiful areas in
Kurdistan province.
Kurdistan Capital
Sanandaj
(in Persian: سنندج) is the capital of the Iranian province of
Kurdistan, which is situated in the western part of Iran bordering Iraq.
The city of Sanandaj is the capital of Kurdistan, and lies at a distance of 512 km from Tehran, 1,480 m above sea level.
History: Although the province of Kurdistan has archeological
traces which go back to thousands of years BC when the Aryan Kurds first
settled in these parts, Sanandaj itself is a rather new city and was
built less than 200 years ago. Kurdistan province succumbed to the
Muslim Army circa 642 A.D. and most of the inhabitants accepted Islam,
which is the predominant religion of the area, today. Sanandaj was very
prosperous in the Safavid era but was completely destroyed at the time
of Karim Khan of Zand dynasty. It was later chosen to be the capital of
this province and is presently one of the most prominent cities of
western Iran.
Climate: Sanandaj has a pleasant weather in spring and summer.
The average seasonal temperature in Sanandaj is 15.20 C in spring,
25.20 C in summer, 10.40 C in autumn and 1.60 C in winter. In a 30-year
long study carried out on the climate of Sanandaj, the maximum absolute
temperature was found to be 44 C, the minimum absolute -31 C, and the
average annual temperature 13.10 C. The average relative humidity was
69% at 06:30 hours and 38% at 12:30 hours. The average annual rainfall
was 497.3 mm and the maximum daily, 61 mm. The average number of frosty
days was 111.4; and the maximum number of hours of sunshine over the
entire year 2,786.2.
Attractions:
- Dense forests of the region
- Negel historical village on Sanandaj – Marivan road,
- Salavat Abad village
- Edifices of Khosro Abad, Salar Saeed (Sanandaj Museum of
anthropology and contemporary arts) and Moshir which have been
constructed in Qajar time
- The old houses of Moshiri, Vakil, Asef Vaziri and Sadegh Vaziri
- Palangan Castle
- Several historical bridges belonging to the Safavid era
- Historical hills
- Old public bathes
- Old bazaars of Sanandaj and Asef belonging to the Safavid era
- Several Mosques and Imamzadehs
قسمت اعظم استان بر روی رشته كوه زاگرس قرار گرفته و به همین دلیل به لحاظ
اقلیمی دارای شرایط ویژه ای می باشد و اشكال مختلف اراضی شامل كوه های
مرتفع ع دره های عمیق ، دشت های دامنه ای ، فلات ها و اراضی پست در این
استان وجود دارد . اقلیم های خشك تا خشك سرد ردر استان با متوسط بارندگی
250 میلی متر (بیجار) تا اقلیم نیمه مرطوب معتدل در غرب استان با متوسط
بارندگی حدود 800 میلی متر (مریوان) در استان یافت می شود . نواحی شرقی و
مركزی استان متاثر از آب و هوای برخی نواحی مركزی ایران و مناطق غرب متاثر
از آب و هوای مدیترانه ای است كه حضور عناصر مدیترانه ای همراه با بارندگی
مناسب مؤید این نظر است . به طوری كه رایط مذكور سبب شده است كه جنگل های
بلوط در این منطقه حضور داشته ولی نواحی شرقی استان دارای پوش استپی می
باشد .
23
هزار هكتار از اراضی استان به كشت محصولات دائمی اختصاص یافته (رتبه 24 در
كشور) و حدود 100 هزار تن محصولات زراعی تولید می شود كه معادل 85/1 درصد
كل تولید كشور است .
در
حال حاضر توسط اسزمان زمین شناسی ، سه لكه طلا در استان شناسایی شده ، كه
یكی از معدان توسط شركت خارجی در حال استخراج و بهره برداری است .
هیات دوچرخه سواری استان کردستان