Arak

Unlike many ancient cities in Iran, Arak is a relatively young city with a history spanning just over two centuries. Its emergence was dictated by military-strategic goals during the reign of the Qajar dynasty. The city was founded in 1808 by order of Fath-Ali Shah as a military fortress to strengthen central authority in the region. It was originally named Soltan-Abad. The city received its modern name — Arak — in the 1930s.

A key role in the city's formation was played by its favorable geographical location. Situated at the crossroads of trade routes connecting the north, south, west, and east of the country, Soltan-Abad quickly transformed from a military fortress into a bustling commercial center. Further development was facilitated by the routing of the national railway through the city, which further strengthened its status as an important transport and trade hub.

From the very beginning, all necessary infrastructure was established in the city: a central bazaar, mosques, schools, and caravanserais, reflecting its commercial nature. By the end of the 19th century, Soltan-Abad had become one of the most important centers for Persian carpet production, attracting many artisans and merchants. The carpets produced here were highly valued both within the country and abroad, becoming the main economic feature of the early period of the city's history.

Key Dates in the History of Arak

• 1808 — The military fortress of Soltan-Abad is founded by order of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar to strengthen authority in the region.
• Late 19th Century — The city becomes one of the main centers for Persian carpet production, gaining worldwide fame.
• 1892 — The fortress walls are demolished, giving impetus to the expansion of the city and its transformation from a military post into a civilian center.
• 1906 — Citizens and merchants participate in the events of the Constitutional Revolution in Iran.
• 1930s — The Trans-Iranian Railway passes through the city, significantly increasing its economic and strategic importance.
• 1938 — As part of a nationwide reform, the city of Soltan-Abad is officially renamed Arak.
• 1941–1945 — During World War II, the city is used by Allied forces as an important logistical point.
• 1970s — Active construction of large industrial enterprises begins, laying the foundation for the city's modern industry.
• Today — Arak holds the unofficial title of the "industrial capital of Iran" due to its many plants in the fields of mechanical engineering, metallurgy, and petrochemistry.

Stages of Arak's Development: From Fortress to Industrial Capital

The history of Arak is a vivid example of how, in two centuries, a strategically located city can evolve from a military fortress into one of the country's most important industrial centers. Key transformations have shaped its modern appearance and economic profile.

• Founding as a military-strategic hub. Originally established as the Soltan-Abad fortress in the early 19th century, the city had a clear rectangular layout, atypical for old Iranian cities. This structure was dictated by military needs and laid the foundation for future orderly growth.
• Becoming a center of carpet weaving. By the end of the 19th century, the city had turned into one of the world's leading centers for Persian carpet production. This craft not only brought Arak (then still Soltan-Abad) worldwide fame but also transformed its economy from military to trade and craft-based, attracting capital and artisans from other regions.
• Urban transformations. The demolition of the fortress walls in 1892 was a turning point in urban development. The city expanded beyond its original boundaries, and the formation of new quarters and the expansion of the street network began, contributing to its transformation into a full-fledged civilian center.
• Construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway. The laying of the railway line through Arak in the 1930s radically increased its strategic importance. The city became a key transport and logistics hub, providing a powerful impetus for further industrialization and trade growth.
• Industrial leap of the 20th century. Starting from the 1970s, large industrial enterprises were built in and around Arak, including metallurgical, machine-building, and petrochemical plants. This finally secured the city's unofficial status as the "industrial capital of Iran" and defined its modern economy.
• Development of education and science. Industrial growth required a large number of qualified personnel. In response to this demand, universities and technical colleges were opened in the city, which today train specialists for the leading enterprises of the region and the entire country.

The architectural appearance of Arak is unique because the city was originally built according to a single urban plan during the Qajar dynasty. Unlike many ancient cities in Iran with their haphazard layouts, Arak was designed with a strict grid plan reminiscent of a chessboard. The monumental Arak Bazaar became the center of this structure — a complex including market stalls, mosques, caravanserais, and baths. Buildings of this period are constructed in the traditional Persian style with features characteristic of the Qajar era: brickwork, domed roofs with light wells for ventilation and lighting, and exquisite tile decoration. A striking example of the architecture of that time, besides the bazaar, is the Sepahdar Madrasa, which combines elements of Safavid and Qajar architecture.

In the 20th century, during the Pahlavi dynasty, the city underwent large-scale modernization. The old fortress walls were demolished, and wide avenues were laid in their place, contributing to the expansion of the city. The architecture of public and government buildings of this period shows the influence of European modernism and neoclassicism, which were often combined with motifs of ancient Iranian architecture, particularly from the Achaemenid era. The construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway through Arak turned it into an important transport and industrial hub, which was also reflected in the urban development.

In the modern era, Arak continues to grow as one of the country's key industrial centers. New construction is carried out mainly outside the historical core. Modern residential quarters and commercial buildings, designed in the international style, contrast with the preserved historical center, where the spirit of old Soltan-Abad is still felt. This contrast between the orderly structure of the 19th century and the dynamic development of the 20th and 21st centuries forms the city's multifaceted appearance today.

Notable Personalities Associated with Arak

• Yusef Khan-e Gorji — military leader and founder of the city. In the early 19th century, as an influential commander at the court of the Qajar dynasty, he founded the Soltan-Abad fortress by order of the Shah, which eventually transformed into the modern city of Arak. His activities laid the foundation for the city's development as an important military-strategic and commercial center.
• Mirza Taqi Khan Farahani (Amir Kabir) — Prime Minister of Iran and reformer. Born in the village of Hazaveh near Arak, Amir Kabir became one of Iran's most prominent statesmen in the 19th century. He carried out large-scale reforms in education, economics, and public administration, laying the foundations for the country's modernization.
• Ata'ollah Mohajerani — politician, historian, and writer. A native of Arak, Mohajerani served as Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance in the late 1990s and was a prominent figure in the reformist movement. He is also known as the author of numerous articles and books on historical and political topics.
• Kader Abdolah — writer and poet. Born in Arak as Hossein Sadjadi Ghaemmaghami Farahani. After emigrating to the Netherlands, he became one of the most famous Iranian writers in Europe, writing in Dutch. His works, often autobiographical, explore themes of exile, cultural identity, and Iranian history.
• Mansour Bahrami — tennis player. Born in Arak, Bahrami gained worldwide fame for his artistic and spectacular playing style. Although his career in professional tennis was interrupted due to the Islamic Revolution, he became one of the most popular figures in veterans' tournaments and exhibition matches, winning the love of spectators around the world.