Karaj; A city whose past still breathes in its neighborhoods

Alborz - The identity of Karaj is not only summed up in the names of its streets and buildings; From historical monuments and Sulaymaniyah Palace to the formation of neighborhoods such as Gohardasht and Jahanshahr, every corner of this city has a story from the past.

Arjan Ambassador of the Provinces Group, Hamidreza Abdul Manafi: Every city has a birth certificate that cannot be found in its maps, streets and buildings. A part of this birth certificate is hidden in the soil, a part in the buildings left from the past, and another part in the memory of the people who built the neighborhoods and gave them their identity. Karaj is no exception to this rule; A city that is known today for its highways, wide neighborhoods and large population, but its past dates back to many years before the formation of its present appearance.

The 22nd of Mehr, the cultural day of Karaj (Karaj Day), is an excuse to turn the pages of this birth certificate; From the ancient sites of Alborz and the roads that the caravans passed through, to the palaces, scientific centers and neighborhoods that were formed in the contemporary period.

In the meantime, one question still remains: How did the Karaji we know today get here and what parts of its past still flow in people's daily lives?

Alireza Ayari, university professor and Karajshanas researcher, in a conversation with the Ambassador of Arjan, points out signs from the history of this city, each of which illuminates a part of this path; Signs that start from the ancient past of the region and continue to the story of the formation of today's neighborhoods.

In order to know the past of Karaj, one should go a little further from the city limits that have been mapped by the Ministry of Interior and visit the ancient sites of Alborz province.

The Uzbek hill in Nazarabad city is one of the most important archaeological sites of Alborz province or ancient Karaj, and the artifacts obtained from it provide researchers with information about human habitation and the way of life of ancient societies.

Referring to this area, Ayari emphasizes the long historical background of the region. Of course, the Uzbek Hill is located within the boundaries of Nazarabad city, not the city of Karaj; But it is a part of the historical heritage of the land that is located in Alborz province today.

The importance of such sites is not limited to their age. Archaeological findings can reveal the way of building houses, the tools used and the formation of human societies. For this reason, the narration of the history of Alborz cannot be started only from the buildings that have been built for several hundred years.

The ways that helped to form Karaj

Geography has played an important role in the story of Karaj. The river, the agricultural lands and the location of the area in the communication route between Tehran and other parts of the country provided a basis for this area to become important in different periods.

In his historical narrative, Ayari points to the attention of past governments to roads and crossings; The route, which was important for the transfer of goods and communication between cities, in addition to the movement of passengers.

The remaining historical works from these periods can be seen as signs of these movements. Shah Abbasi Karaj Caravanserai, one of the well-known buildings of the city, is a reminder of the time when caravanseras were part of the country's communication network and provided the opportunity for travelers to stop and rest.

Dokhtar Karaj historical bridge is also considered as one of the significant works of the region. This bridge, which is also known as Shah Abbasi Bridge or Khatun Bridge, is located on the Karaj River, and tourism sources attribute the existing structure to the Safavid period. However, the remains of an older bridge have also been mentioned in this area.

These buildings are not just monuments for tourists to visit. Each of them has a narrative of the needs of their time; From crossing the river to providing the possibility of travel and trade. Perhaps this is the reason why the knowledge of Karaj's past will not be complete without paying attention to its communication ways and structures.

Sulaymaniyah Palace; A relic of a historical period

Upon reaching the Qajar period, other signs of the past of Karaj are placed before us. Sulaymaniyah Palace, located in the campus of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Tehran University, is one of the important historical monuments of the city, which belongs to the period of Feth Ali Shah Qajar.

This building is known for its architecture and historical paintings and it has kept part of the historical memory of Karaj. Its placement in the campus of a university center has also created an interesting link between the past and the present; Where architectural heritage is placed next to education and research.

In the contemporary period, the expansion of communication routes and the development of educational and economic centers helped to change the face of Karaj.

Karaj - Chalus road is one of the important examples of this development. The construction of this road started in the early 1310s and the road was put into operation in December 1312. The construction of Kandavan tunnel also started in 1314 and was put into operation in 1317.

The development of roads made commuting easier and provided the basis for the expansion of economic and social communication. Karaj also gradually turned from an area with a more limited residential context into an expanding city; A process that accelerated in the following decades.

The history of the famous neighborhoods of Karaj from Gohardasht to Azimieh

If historical monuments narrate the distant past of Karaj, its neighborhoods present another part of the city's story. A story closer to people's lives and memories that still flow among the old residents.

Gohardasht, Jahanshahr and Azimieh are among the neighborhoods that were formed in the contemporary development process of Karaj and each has its own past and development path.

In his narration, Ayari mentions the role of Mohammad Sadiq Fateh Yazdi in the development of Gohardasht and Jahanshahr. Fateh Yazdi was one of the economic figures and entrepreneurs associated with the development of Karaj in the contemporary period, and his name is tied to part of the urban and economic developments of this region.

The story of the formation of neighborhoods, of course, is not limited to the name of one person. Change of land use, creation of access roads, formation of service centers and increase in population have all played a role in transforming scattered areas into urban neighborhoods. To clarify the details of this process, old maps and municipal documents become important along with the narration of old residents.

Ayari also mentions Abbas Azimi Aram in connection with the formation of Azimieh. In the case of neighborhoods like Sufiabad and Hyderabad, there are also narratives about the role of local individuals and families in their development, and examining documents and oral memories can help clarify their historical dimensions.

This part of the history of Karaj is closer to the daily life of people than any other part.

The names of the streets, the location of the old houses, the first medical and service centers, and the memories of the first residents, can all help to record the history of the neighborhoods; A history that, if not recorded, may be erased from the city's memory over time.

proud; Faces that give meaning to the city's identity

The identity of a city is not limited to its architecture and ancient works. Scientific, literary, artistic and musical figures are also part of the cultural capital of the city; Those whose works and lives remain in the collective memory of people.

In his interview, Ayari mentions the tombs of a number of cultural and artistic figures in Imamzadeh Tahir (peace be upon him) and Behesht Sakineh Karaj and its surroundings and mentions names such as Gholamhossein Banan, Moini Kermanshahi and Najaf Daryabandari and dozens of artists, musicians and poets.

Remembering these names is an opportunity to look at Karaj beyond the scope of historical monuments and neighborhoods and to see the role of this region in the cultural geography of Iran.

Of course, in order to accurately introduce each character, it is necessary to distinguish between his birthplace, place of residence, place of activity, and place of burial, and check the information about the tombs independently.

The introduction of Mahakher will be more effective when it is not limited to the introduction of a few names and the works, life and relationship of each character with the city are also clarified for the audience. Such an approach can help to better understand the contribution of Karaj in the history of culture and art of Iran.

Karaj today and the responsibility of preserving the past

Today, Karaj is a big and diverse city; A city where an important part of its population has arrived in recent decades and many of its neighborhoods have expanded rapidly. In such a situation, knowing the city's past is perhaps more important than ever.

Karaj Cultural Day is an opportunity to see the history of neighborhoods, historical monuments and cultural figures again; Not just to remember the past, but to better know the city we live in every day.

Recording the memories of old residents, documenting the history of neighborhoods, introducing archeological findings and protecting historical monuments can be part of this path. These measures help urban development does not mean forgetting the past.

From Uzbek Hill in the historical area of Alborz to bridges and caravanserais and from Sulaimaniyeh Palace to Gohardasht and Jahanshahr, each one tells a part of a bigger story; The story of a city that has changed and expanded over time, and its identity has been formed in the link between the past and today's life.

Perhaps the knowledge of Karaj begins here; Paying attention to the details that are rarely seen in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but their juxtaposition shows that the city we know today is not the result of a period or a generation, but the result of a long history and the accumulated experiences of the people who lived in this land.