Reverse Migration and Village Development in Iran from Late Safavid to Mid-Qajar

A Historical and  Archaeological Study

Authors

  • Saeed Amirhajloo Tarbiat Modares University
  • Rocco Rante Louvre Museum and University Pantheon-La Sorbonne

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jia.27275

Keywords:

Afshar-Zand, feudal lords, reverse migration, ruralization, Safavid urbanization, village fortress

Abstract

At the end of the Safavid dynasty from the late 17th century into the early 18th century, a “reverse migration” process from cities to villages began in Iran and the weakening of the Safavid dynasty saw the start of a decline in city populations. This situation continued through the Afshar and Zand periods and into mid-Qajar era in the 19th century. This article uses archaeological, architectural and historical data to identify and analyze the political, social and economic factors involved: wars and insecurity in cities; an increase in the power of rural landlords and landowners; the policies of rulers; and natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Most former urbanites turned to agricultural activities, while landlords developed fortifications that in many cases became “landlord villages”.

Author Biographies

  • Saeed Amirhajloo, Tarbiat Modares University

    Saeed Amirhajloo is an associate professor and the head of the Department of Archaeology at Tarbiat Modares University, Iran. His main areas of research include Islamic cities, landscape archaeology, Islamic ceramics and Islamic tiles. He serves as the deputy chairman of the Society of Iranian Archaeology. He has done archaeological excavations and surveys at the old city of Sirjan, the old city of Narmashir, the Islamic city of Kelar, the Cham-e Shir basin in Gachsaran and the Borkhar plain in the north of Isfahan. He has published more than 30 articles in scientific journals.

  • Rocco Rante, Louvre Museum and University Pantheon-La Sorbonne

    Rocco Rante is an archaeologist at the Louvre Museum. He obtained a habilitation in France, University Paris Sorbonne-Panthéon, and the title of Professor of Universities from the National Centre of Universities. He is a specialist in the population and urban dynamics of the Iranian world, from Parthian times to the Early Islamic period.

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Published

2025-06-30

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How to Cite

Amirhajloo, S., & Rante, R. (2025). Reverse Migration and Village Development in Iran from Late Safavid to Mid-Qajar: A Historical and  Archaeological Study. Journal of Islamic Archaeology, 11(2), 147-166. https://doi.org/10.1558/jia.27275