Administrative Documents of Astan Quds Razavi
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| UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage | |
| Administrative Documents of Astan Quds Razavi | |
 | |
| Entrance to the Central Museum of Astan Quds Razavi, Kowsar Courtyard | |
| Country |  Iran |
|---|---|
| Reference | Administrative Documents of Astan-e Quds Razavi |
| Region | Middle East |
| Inscription | 2009 |
The Administrative Documents of Astan Quds Razavi comprise a collection of approximately 69,000 pages dating from 1000 AH (1591 AD) to 1148 AH (1735 AD). These documents reflect the extensive administrative structure of Astan Quds Razavi and cover geographical regions of Iran and Afghanistan, particularly Khorasan. The collection is one of the most well-preserved and systematic sets of records from an administrative institution of this period, offering a unique perspective on governance, land management, and religious endowments.
Astan Quds Razavi, a major religious and administrative institution, managed various establishments, including the sacred shrine of Imam Reza, medical facilities (Dar al-Shifa), beverage houses (Sharbat Khana), treasury, religious schools (Madrasas), libraries, and guesthouses. These documents, therefore, provide an invaluable record of the administrative mechanisms, financial transactions, and social services maintained by the institution over more than a century.[1][2] [3]
Significance and UNESCO Recognition
[edit]The collection is classified into at least five major categories:
- social, administrative and financial, economic and agricultural, military, and religious.
These records contain details on endowments, donations, property management, tax records, agricultural productivity, trade relations, and the economic infrastructure of Mashhad and the surrounding regions. Additionally, they highlight the role of Astan Quds Razavi in organizing public welfare, education, healthcare, and defense systems.
The Safavid-era documents of Astan Quds Razavi provide valuable insights into the administrative, social, economic, and agricultural aspects of life in Mashhad and Greater Khorasan during the Safavid period. They serve as crucial resources for understanding the social history of the time, shedding light on the interactions between the ruling elite, religious authorities, and the local population.
Given their historical and documentary significance, this collection was inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2009. The inclusion in this international registry underscores the importance of these documents as an irreplaceable source for researchers studying the Safavid era, Persian administrative history, and the socio-economic landscape of early modern Iran.[1][2][3]
Related searches
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "مجموعه اسناد تشکیلات اداری آستان قدس رضوی(۱۳۸۸)؛Collection of documents of the administrative organization of Astan Quds Razavi (2009)". Iran: کمیسیون ملی یونسکو- ایران (National Commission for UNESCO-Iran). June 6, 2016. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ^ a b "Safavid documents registered on UNESCO Memory of the World list". Iran: Tehran Times. August 6, 2009.
- ^ a b "History of Astan Quds Razavi Library Up to the End of Qajar Period According to". Mishkat. June 2012.
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