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The township of '''Ahvaz''' (]: اهواز ''Ahvâz'', ] pronunciation: ''Ahwaz'') is built on the banks of the ] River in the middle of the ]ian province of ]. 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 (] estimate). The township of '''Ahvaz''' (]: اهواز ''Ahvâz'', ] pronunciation: ''Ahwaz'') is built on the banks of the ] River in the middle of the ]ian province of ]. 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 (] estimate).
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==The origin of the name ''Ahvaz''== ==Contemporary Ahvaz==
Ahvaz was the seat of Khuzestan province in ancient times, having been established by ], founder of the ]. The city was referred to as ''H&#363;m&#353;&#275;r'' and ''&#332;hrmazd-Arda&#353;&#275;r'' in various other texts as well, such as ] and is discussed by such respected medieval historians as ], ], ], ], ], and ].


] ]
]
Various texts clearly point out the origin and roots of the name ''Ahvaz'' as a variation of the ancient Persian term for the native ] peoples, ''H&#363;ja'' (remaining in medieval ''X&#363;zig'' "of the Khuz" and modern ''Xuzestan'' "Khuz State"). The direct origin of the name seems to be the Arabic term for the town's marketplace, ''S&#363;qu 'l-Ahwaz'', which means the "Market of the H&#363;z".
⚫ Ahvaz is notable for commerce and industry. It has long served the needs of Khuzestan's thriving oil industry. 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 ] in 2005. Ahvaz also supports another team, the ''Esteqlal-e-Ahvaz''.


⚫ Ahvaz is also known for its universities. Ahvaz institutes of higher learning include:
The authors of ] state that the Persian ''H&#363;j-&#299;-st&#257;nw&#257;&#269;&#257;r'' "Market of Kh&#363;z State" was translated by Arabs as ''S&#363;qu 'l-Ahwaz''. According to this source, the ancient city called ''&#332;hrmazd-Arda&#353;&#275;r'', the name of which combines the ancient term for God with the name of the Sassanid founder, had two sections. The nobles of the city lived in one part while the other was inhabited by merchants. During the 7th century conquest of Persia by the invading armies of ], the part of the city home to the nobility was demolished but the ''S&#363;qu 'l-Ahwaz'', the merchant area, remained intact.


⚫ *
According to other sources such as ''Persia: An Archeological Guide'' by S. Matheson, "Ahwaz takes its name from the Arabic ''Suq al-Ahwaz'' ('the market of Ahwaz'), which is a corruption of ''Khuz''; a tribe still occupying the province when the town was captured by the Arabs in ]. Earlier, it had been the capital of a ] princely state and during the Sassanid period, after its capture by Ardashir I, it was known as ''Hormizd Shahr'' or ''Hormizd Ardashir''". (ISBN 0-571093051, p139).
⚫ *

⚫ *
Yet other authors such as ] of the 12th century writes:
⚫ * Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz

⚫ ]
:''"Ahvaz is the name of an Iranian city which its Persian name has been Arabicized and the Arabs have accepted the Persian dictation of the word."''
⚫ ]
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Furthermore, ''H. Pir Nia'' in ''The History of Persia'' mentions that the important cities of ] during the Elamite Empire were "], Madaktu, Khaidalu, and Ahvaz, also written as ''Uxiens''". (ISBN 964-6895-16-6, p33)
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The 13th century chronicler, ] (]-] CE), states that the words ''Kh&#363;z'', ''H&#363;z'', ''Ahwaz'' and ''Huwayza'' are of the same origin. ''Ahwaz'' is derived from the root ''Awaz-'' referred to by the Achaemenians as ''Aw&#257;ja'' or ''H&#363;ja'', as can be seen in the ] inscriptions and on ]'s epigraph . Many English-language texts give the spelling ''Khaja'', ''Khooja'', or ''Khavjiaa''. These are all foreign interpretations of the same word that appeared in ancient Persian as ''H&#363;ja''.
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==History== ==History==
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For a more comprehensive historical treatment of the area, see the history section of ]. For a more comprehensive historical treatment of the area, see the history section of ].


Historians believe that the city of Ahvaz itself was probably built on the site of the old city of ''Taryana'', a notable city under the Persian Achaemenid dynasty.
===Ancient History===


Historians believe that the city of Ahvaz itself was probably built on the site of the old city of ''Taryana'', a notable city under the Persian Achaemenid dynasty. Sassanid King Ardashir I is said to have rebuilt Taryana in ] CE; he named it after God and himself, &#332;hrmazd-Ardaš&#275;r. He is said to have constructed a dam and irrigation systems. During his reign and that of his successors, the city prospered, and replaced Susa as the capital of Susiana (Khuzestan). When the Arabs conquered Susiana in ] CE, &#332;hrmazd-Ardaš&#275;r was renamed S&#363;qu' l-Ahwaz. According to the Encyclopedia Iranica, the Sassanid King Ardashir I rebuilt Taryana in 230 CE and named it after himself: &#332;hrmazd-Ardaš&#275;r. He is also said to have constructed a dam and irrigation system. However, the late Sassanid text ''&#352;ahrest&#257;n&#299;h&#257; &#299; &#274;r&#257;n&#353;ahr'' says:


: ''The City of Hormizd-Ardax&#353;&#299;r and the city of R&#257;m-Hormizd were built by Hormizd the valiant, the son of S&#257;buhr.'' (''&#352;ahrest&#257;n&#299;h&#257; &#299; &#274;r&#257;n&#353;ahr'', Daryaee, 2002)
===Medieval History===


The city prospered under the Sassanids, and replaced Susa as the capital of X&#363;zest&#257;n (Khuzestan). When the Arabs conquered the area in 640 CE, &#332;hrmazd-Ardaš&#275;r was renamed S&#363;q al-Ahwaz.
⚫ During the ] and ] eras, Ahvaz flourished as a center for the cultivation of sugar-cane and as the home of many well-known scholars. Nearby stood the ], where the modern day teaching hospital is said to have been first established.


⚫ During the period of ] and ] Caliphs, Ahvaz flourished; it was a center for the cultivation of sugar-cane. It was the home of many well-known scholars. Nearby stood the ], where the modern day teaching hospital is said to have been first invented.
⚫ Ahvaz was devastated in the bloody ] invasions of the 13th and 14th centuries CE. Ahvaz subsequently declined into a mere village. The dam and irrigation channels, no longer maintained, eroded and finally collapsed early in the 19th century. During this time Ahvaz was primarily inhabited by ] and a small number of ]. Some minor cultivation continued, while all evidence of sugarcane plantations had vanished, although ruins of sugarcane mills from the medieval era remained in existence. (X. de Planhol, ''Encyclopedia Iranica'').


⚫ Ahvaz was devastated in the bloody Mongol invasions of the 13th and 14th centuries CE. Ahvaz declined into a mere village. The dam and irrigation channels, no longer maintained, eroded and finally collapsed early in the 19th century. All evidence of sugarcane plantations vanished, save for the ruins of medieval sugarcane mills (X. de Planhol, ''Encyclopedia Iranica'').
=== Modern History of Ahvaz ===


In the 1880s the Karun River was dredged and re-opened to commerce. A newly-built railway crossed the Karun at Ahvaz. The city again became a commercial crossroads, linking river and rail traffic. The construction of the ] further stimulated trade. During this period (the ] era) the town was called ''Bandar-e-Naseri''. In the 1880s the Karun River was dredged and re-opened to commerce. A newly-built railway crossed the Karun at Ahvaz. The city again became a commercial crossroads, linking river and rail traffic. The construction of the ] further stimulated trade. A port was built near the old village, called ''Bandar-e-Naseri''. The port and the village grew together, and the whole urban complex was called Nasiriyeh.


Oil was found near Ahvaz in the early 20th century, and the city once again grew and prospered as a result of this newfound wealth. From ]-], ] controlled this area and the name was changed to ''Naseriyeh''. Afterwards, during the ] period, it resumed its old name, ''Ahvaz''. Oil was found near Ahvaz in the early 20th century. Ahvaz again became a rich and thriving city. Afterwards, during the ] period, it resumed its old name, ''Ahvaz''.


Iraqi dictator ] attempted to annex Khuzestan and Ahvaz in 1980, resulting in the ] (1980-1988). Ahvaz was close to the front lines and suffered badly during the war. Iraqi dictator ] attempted to annex Khuzestan and Ahvaz in 1980, resulting in the ] (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 ], 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 ] inhabitants resisted the Iraqis rather than welcome them as liberators. However, some Iranian Arabs claim that as a minority they face discrimination from the central government; they agitate for the right to preserve their cultural and linguistic heritage and more provincial autonomy. See '']''. 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 ] inhabitants resisted the Iraqis rather than welcome them as liberators. However, some Iranian Arabs claim that as a minority they face discrimination from the central government; they agitate for the right to preserve their cultural and linguistic heritage and more provincial autonomy. See '']''.


=== The origin of the name ''Ahvaz''===
==Contemporary Ahvaz==


There is some dispute as to the origin of the name ''Ahvaz''.
⚫ ]


Some argue that it is a version of the ancient Persian term for the ancient native ] peoples, ''H&#363;ja'', which had been rendered into Persian as Xuzi, Khuzi, or Khuz. The 13th century chronicler ] (1179-1229 CE) says that the words ''Kh&#363;z'', ''H&#363;z'', ''Huwayza'', and ''Ahwaz'' are related.
⚫ 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 ] 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:

⚫ *
⚫ *
⚫ *
⚫ * Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz


Some Khuzestani Arab separatists have disputed this derivation and say that Ahwaz is an Arabic word .
⚫ ]


==Some famous Ahvazis== ==Some famous Ahvazis==

Revision as of 07:15, 1 June 2005

The township of Ahvaz (Persian: اهواز Ahvâz, Arabic pronunciation: Ahwaz) is built on the banks of the Karun River in the middle 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).

Contemporary Ahvaz

File:Ahvaz-karun.jpg
Aerial photo of the city of Ahvaz, Bustan park, and Karun river.
Map of Iran, with Ahvaz marked in red

Ahvaz is notable for commerce and industry. It has long served the needs of Khuzestan's thriving oil industry. 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. Ahvaz institutes of higher learning include:

File:Fulad-ahvaz.jpg
Fulad-ahvaz steelworks
File:Ahvaz adabiyat.jpg
Ahvaz College of Humanities and Literature










History

For a more comprehensive historical treatment of the area, see the history section of Khuzestan.

Historians believe that the city of Ahvaz itself was probably built on the site of the old city of Taryana, a notable city under the Persian Achaemenid dynasty.

According to the Encyclopedia Iranica, the Sassanid King Ardashir I rebuilt Taryana in 230 CE and named it after himself: Ōhrmazd-Ardašēr. He is also said to have constructed a dam and irrigation system. However, the late Sassanid text Šahrestānīhā ī Ērānšahr says:

The City of Hormizd-Ardaxšīr and the city of Rām-Hormizd were built by Hormizd the valiant, the son of Sābuhr. (Šahrestānīhā ī Ērānšahr, Daryaee, 2002)

The city prospered under the Sassanids, and replaced Susa as the capital of Xūzestān (Khuzestan). When the Arabs conquered the area in 640 CE, Ōhrmazd-Ardašēr was renamed Sūq al-Ahwaz.

During the period of Ummayad and Abbasid Caliphs, Ahvaz flourished; it was a center for the cultivation of sugar-cane. It was 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 CE. Ahvaz declined into a mere village. The dam and irrigation channels, no longer maintained, eroded and finally collapsed early in the 19th century. All evidence of sugarcane plantations vanished, save for the ruins of medieval sugarcane mills (X. de Planhol, Encyclopedia Iranica).

In the 1880s the Karun River was dredged and re-opened to commerce. A newly-built railway crossed the Karun at Ahvaz. The city again became a commercial crossroads, linking river and rail traffic. The construction of the Suez Canal further stimulated trade. A port was built near the old village, called Bandar-e-Naseri. The port and the village grew together, and the whole urban complex was called Nasiriyeh.

Oil was found near Ahvaz in the early 20th century. Ahvaz again became a rich and thriving city. Afterwards, during the Pahlavi period, it resumed its old name, 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 Iranian Arabs claim that as a minority they face discrimination from the central government; they agitate for the right to preserve their cultural and linguistic heritage and more provincial autonomy. See Ethnic politics of Khuzestan.

The origin of the name Ahvaz

There is some dispute as to the origin of the name Ahvaz.

Some argue that it is a version of the ancient Persian term for the ancient native Elamite peoples, Hūja, which had been rendered into Persian as Xuzi, Khuzi, or Khuz. The 13th century chronicler Yaqut al-Hamawi (1179-1229 CE) says that the words Khūz, Hūz, Huwayza, and Ahwaz are related.

Some Khuzestani Arab separatists have disputed this derivation and say that Ahwaz is an Arabic word .

Some famous Ahvazis

Many scientists, philosophers, and poets have come from Khuzestan, including:

See also

External links

Category: