History of Zahedan

The history of Zahedan is a story of rapid growth in the 20th century. Unlike many ancient cities in Iran, Zahedan is a comparatively young administrative and commercial centre. Initially, a small village known as Dozdab was located here. Its modern history began in the early 20th century when the settlement started to gain strategic importance. In the 1930s, during the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the city received its current name — Zahedan, which translates as the "City of Hermits" or the "City of the Pious".

A key factor in the establishment of Zahedan was its unique geographical location. The city is situated in the southeast of the country, in immediate proximity to the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, which transformed it into a vital hub for international trade and transit. Development was further facilitated by the construction of transport infrastructure, including a railway connecting it to the Pakistani network, and major highways. Granting it the status of the administrative centre of the Sistan and Baluchestan Province also played a decisive role in its growth and development.

From the very beginning, Zahedan formed as a multi-ethnic centre. The population is primarily composed of Baluchi people, but thanks to its trading status, the city attracted settlers from various parts of the country. The early economy was closely linked to trade, as well as traditional crafts such as carpet weaving, ceramics production, and embroidery. Agriculture in the arid climate was supported through the use of groundwater. These factors laid the foundation for Zahedan's modern appearance as an important economic and cultural centre of the region.

Key Moments in the History of Zahedan

Zahedan is a city with a relatively short but event-filled history. Its development was rapid and defined by its strategic position at the crossroads of trade routes. Below is a chronology of the main milestones in the establishment of this important centre in southeastern Iran.

Early 20th Century: Foundation and Early Development

• Early 1900s: A small village named Dozdab (translating to "Water Thief") existed on the site of the modern city, known for its wells in the arid terrain.
• 1917–1922: During World War I, British engineers built a strategic railway from Quetta (in modern-day Pakistan) to Dozdab for military purposes, marking the beginning of the settlement's development as a transport hub.
• 1929: By decree of Shah Reza Pahlavi, the settlement of Dozdab received city status and a new name — Zahedan, meaning "City of the Pious".

Mid-20th Century: Growth and Becoming a Capital

• 1931: Railway service to Nok Kundi was temporarily suspended, slowing the city's economic growth.
• 1940s: During World War II, the railway line regained strategic importance for supplies along the southern corridor.
• 1950s: Zahedan officially became the administrative centre of the Sistan and Baluchestan Province, contributing to a population influx and infrastructure development.
• 1975: The University of Sistan and Baluchestan was founded, becoming the largest educational and scientific centre in the region.

Late 20th – Early 21st Century: Modernisation and Infrastructure Projects

• 1990s: The city continued to grow as a major trading hub on the border with Pakistan and Afghanistan, despite regional challenges.
• June 18, 2009: The Bam–Zahedan railway line opened, connecting the city to Iran's national standard-gauge railway network for the first time.
• 2017: The construction of the Mashhad–Zahedan railway branch was announced, forming part of the larger "North-South" transport corridor.
• 2021: The opening of key sections of the Chabahar–Zahedan railway was announced, designed to connect the port on the Indian Ocean with Central Asian countries.

Stages of Formation and Development

The transformation of Zahedan from a modest border post into one of the key cities of eastern Iran is a story of how geography defines destiny. Its location at the junction of trade routes turned a small settlement into a strategically important logistics and cultural hub. The first powerful impulse for development was the construction of the railway linking the region with the Indian Subcontinent. This event elevated local trade to an international level, turning the city into the main gateway for transit goods in the east of the country.

An important psychological and administrative milestone was gaining official status and a new name — "City of the Pious". This marked the transition to planned urban development and the emergence of a regular street network. Upon becoming the provincial administrative centre, the city received resources for large-scale growth: government institutions, hospitals, and educational establishments opened here. The founding of the university definitively changed the city's social profile, transforming it from a purely commercial node into a significant scientific and intellectual centre of the region.

In recent history, the defining factor has been breaking through transport isolation and integration into the national network. The launch of railway lines connecting the city with central provinces and the construction of grand architectural symbols, such as the Grand Makki Mosque, have shaped the modern appearance of the metropolis. Today, it is a dynamically developing centre where the historical role of a trade crossroads harmoniously combines with the functions of a modern regional capital.

Architectural Eras and Urban Development

The architectural appearance of Zahedan is a reflection of its young but dynamic history. Unlike ancient Iranian cities, you will not find medieval or renaissance monuments here. Urban development began in the 20th century and went through several key stages that formed the city's modern eclectic landscape.

Early Phase: Functionalism and Colonial Influence (1920s–1940s)

The first permanent structures in Zahedan (then still Dozdab) appeared due to the construction of the railway by the British. This period is characterised by utilitarian and functional architecture. The main objects were:

• Railway Station: Built primarily for logistical needs, it became the core around which the city expanded.
• Administrative Buildings: Early structures for managing trade and transport had simple forms, devoid of frills, with elements borrowed from the British colonial architecture of that time.

Pahlavi Era Modernisation (1950s–1970s)

After Zahedan became the provincial capital, a period of active modernisation began, characteristic of the Pahlavi dynasty era. In architecture, this manifested as a combination of Western modernism with elements of Neoclassical Persian style. New public buildings, government institutions, and residential quarters appeared in the city, designed according to standards that were modern for that time. It was during this period that the foundation of modern urban planning was laid, featuring wider streets and clear zoning.

Modern and Islamic Architecture (1980s to Present)

The modern stage of Zahedan's architectural development is marked by two main trends: the construction of large religious structures and the development of civil infrastructure. Key objects of this period include:

• Grand Makki Mosque: This is the most monumental and famous building in the city, being one of the largest Sunni mosques in Iran. Its architecture is inspired by the Ottoman style, specifically the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, but executed using modern materials and technologies. Its four minarets, standing 92 metres high, and the central dome dominate the cityscape.
• University of Sistan and Baluchestan: The university campus represents a complex of modern buildings designed in a functional style for educational and scientific purposes.
• Modern Residential Construction: Alongside traditional houses, multi-storey residential complexes are being actively built in the city, changing its skyline.

Notable Figures Associated with Zahedan

Although Zahedan is a city with a relatively young history, it is the administrative and cultural heart of the vast Sistan and Baluchestan region. Connected to this land are the names of both historical figures and modern talents who have left their mark in various fields.

• Yaqub ibn Layth al-Saffar — A historical figure and founder of the Saffarid dynasty in the 9th century. Although he lived long before the founding of Zahedan, he is revered as one of the most significant rulers of the historical region of Sistan, of which Zahedan is the capital today. He is known for uniting eastern Iranian lands and is considered a symbol of regional identity.
• Habibollah Dahmardeh — A scholar and administrator. He served as the governor of the Sistan and Baluchestan Province and was also the chancellor of several universities, including the University of Sistan and Baluchestan in Zahedan. His work focused on developing the educational and administrative infrastructure of the region.
• Ibrahim Rigi — A young film director whose work was dedicated to the life and social issues of Baluchestan. Despite a short life, he managed to make a name for himself as the voice of a new generation striving to tell the stories of their people through cinema.
• Amin Gholipour — A professional footballer born in Zahedan. He played as a forward for a number of Iranian football clubs, serving as a role model for young athletes in the region.
• Mohammad Hasan Nattaj — A volleyball player, also a native of Zahedan. As a player, he represented his region at the national level, playing for various clubs in the Iranian Volleyball League.