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	]'''Greater Iran''' (in ]: ~~ایران~~ ~~بزرگ~~ pron: ''Iran-e Bozorg'', also ~~ایران‌زمین~~ pron: ''Iran-zameen'') is a term for the entire region where ] were once or are today spoken, as well as areas that were part of various empires based in ]. The ] uses the term '''Iranian Cultural Continent''' , and other names such as '''Greater Persia''' or '''Persian cultural continent''' have also been used, especially in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.		]'''Greater Iran''' (in ]: ایران بزرگ pron: ''Iran-e Bozorg'', also ایران‌زمین pron: ''Iran-zameen'') is a term for the entire region where ] were once or are today spoken, as well as areas that were part of various empires based in ]. The ] uses the term '''Iranian Cultural Continent''' , and other names such as '''Greater Persia''' or '''Persian cultural continent''' have also been used, especially in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

	Traditionally, and until recent times, ethnicity has never been a defining separating criteria in these regions. In the words of ]:

	:"Many times I have emphasized that the present peoples of Central Asia, whether Iranian or Turkic speaking, have one culture, one religion, one set of social values and traditions with only language separating them."

	Only in modern times did western colonial intervention and ethnicity tend to become a dividing force between the provinces of Greater Iran. As ] states, "ethnic nationalism is largely a nineteenth century phenomenon, even if it is fashionable to retroactively extend it."<ref>]. ''Eternal Iran''. Palgrave Macmillan. 2005 ISBN 1-4039-6276-6 p.23</ref> "Greater Iran" however has been more of a cultural super-state, rather than a political one to begin with.

	Obviously, "Greater Iran" has had no fixed boundaries, nor even a fixed definition. While some sources specifically define Greater Iran to include the current republics of ], ], ], and ]n Republics , other sources such as ] give a more broader definition and define it to have included "much of the Caucasus, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, with cultural influences extending to China, India, and the Semitic speaking world." According to Frye, "Iran means all lands and peoples where Iranian languages were and are spoken, and where in the past, multi-faceted Iranian cultures existed." <ref>], ''Greater Iran'', ISBN 1-56859-177-2 p.''xi''</ref>		Obviously, "Greater Iran" has had no fixed boundaries, nor even a fixed definition. While some sources specifically define Greater Iran to include the current republics of ], ], ], and ]n Republics , other sources such as ] give a more broader definition and define it to have included "much of the Caucasus, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, with cultural influences extending to China, India, and the Semitic speaking world." According to Frye, "Iran means all lands and peoples where Iranian languages were and are spoken, and where in the past, multi-faceted Iranian cultures existed." <ref>], ''Greater Iran'', ISBN 1-56859-177-2 p.''xi''</ref>

	]		]
	In the work ''Nuzhat al-Qolub'' (~~نزهه~~ ~~القلوب~~), the medieval geographer ] writes:		In the work ''Nuzhat al-Qolub'' (نزهه القلوب), the medieval geographer ] writes:

			چند شهر است اندر ایران مرتفع تر از همه<br>
	چند شهر است اندر ایران مرتفع تر از همه<br>
	''Some cities of Iran are better than the rest,''<br>		''Some cities of Iran are better than the rest,''<br>
			بهتر و سازنده تر از خوشی آب و هوا<br>
	بهتر و سازنده تر از خوشی آب و هوا<br>
	''these have pleasant and compromising weather,''<br>		''these have pleasant and compromising weather,''<br>
			گنجه پر گنج در اران صفاهان در عراق<br>
	گنجه پر گنج در اران صفاهان در عراق<br>
	''The wealthy ] of ], and ] as well,''<br>		''The wealthy ] of ], and ] as well,''<br>
			در خراسان مرو و طوس در روم باشد اقسرا<br>
	در خراسان مرو و طوس در روم باشد اقسرا<br>
	''] and ] in ], and ] (Aqsara) too.''		''] and ] in ], and ] (Aqsara) too.''

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	:''"Many Iranians consider their natural sphere of influence to extend beyond Iran's present borders. After all, Iran was once much larger. Portuguese forces seized islands and ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 19th century, the ] wrested from ]'s control what is today ], ], and part of ]. Iranian elementary school texts teach about the Iranian roots not only of cities like ], but also cities further north like ] in southern ]. The ] lost much of his claim to western ] following the Anglo-Iranian war of 1856-1857. Only in 1970 did a ] sponsored consultation end Iranian claims to suzerainty over the ] island nation of ]. In centuries past, Iranian rule once stretched westward into modern ] and beyond. When the western world complains of Iranian interference beyond its borders, the Iranian government often convincesd itself that it is merely exerting its influence in lands that were once its own. Simultaneously, Iran's losses at the hands of outside powers have contributed to a sense of grievance that continues to the present day."''<ref>]. ''Eternal Iran''. Palgrave. 2005. Coauthored with ]. ISBN 1-4039-6276-6 p.9,10</ref>		:''"Many Iranians consider their natural sphere of influence to extend beyond Iran's present borders. After all, Iran was once much larger. Portuguese forces seized islands and ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 19th century, the ] wrested from ]'s control what is today ], ], and part of ]. Iranian elementary school texts teach about the Iranian roots not only of cities like ], but also cities further north like ] in southern ]. The ] lost much of his claim to western ] following the Anglo-Iranian war of 1856-1857. Only in 1970 did a ] sponsored consultation end Iranian claims to suzerainty over the ] island nation of ]. In centuries past, Iranian rule once stretched westward into modern ] and beyond. When the western world complains of Iranian interference beyond its borders, the Iranian government often convincesd itself that it is merely exerting its influence in lands that were once its own. Simultaneously, Iran's losses at the hands of outside powers have contributed to a sense of grievance that continues to the present day."''<ref>]. ''Eternal Iran''. Palgrave. 2005. Coauthored with ]. ISBN 1-4039-6276-6 p.9,10</ref>

	In ], Greater Iran is called ''Iranzamin'' (~~ایران‌زمین~~) which means "The Land of Iran". ''Iranzamin'' was in the mythical times opposed to the ''Turanzamin'' the Land of ], which was located in the upper part of ]. <ref>], ], see under entry "Turan"</ref>		In ], Greater Iran is called ''Iranzamin'' (ایران‌زمین) which means "The Land of Iran". ''Iranzamin'' was in the mythical times opposed to the ''Turanzamin'' the Land of ], which was located in the upper part of ]. <ref>], ], see under entry "Turan"</ref>

	In the pre-Islamic period, Iranians distinguished two main regions in the territory they ruled, one Iran and the other ''Aniran''. By Iran they meant all the regions inhabited by ]. That region was much vaster than it is today. This notion of ''Iran'' as a territory (opposed to ''Aniran'') can be seen as the core of early Greater Iran. Later many changes occurred in the boundaries and areas where Iranians lived but the languages and culture remained the dominant medium in many parts of the Greater Iran.		In the pre-Islamic period, Iranians distinguished two main regions in the territory they ruled, one Iran and the other ''Aniran''. By Iran they meant all the regions inhabited by ]. That region was much vaster than it is today. This notion of ''Iran'' as a territory (opposed to ''Aniran'') can be seen as the core of early Greater Iran. Later many changes occurred in the boundaries and areas where Iranians lived but the languages and culture remained the dominant medium in many parts of the Greater Iran.
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	As an example, the Persian language was the main literary language and the language of correspondence in ] and Caucasus prior to the Russian occupation, Central Asia being the birthplace of modern Persian language. Furthermore, according to the ] government, Persian language was also used in Iraqi Kurdistan, prior to the British Occupation and Mandate in 1918-1932 .		As an example, the Persian language was the main literary language and the language of correspondence in ] and Caucasus prior to the Russian occupation, Central Asia being the birthplace of modern Persian language. Furthermore, according to the ] government, Persian language was also used in Iraqi Kurdistan, prior to the British Occupation and Mandate in 1918-1932 .

	With ] continuously advancing south in the course of two wars against Persia, and the treaties of ] and ] in the western frontiers, plus the unexpected death of ] in 1823, and the murdering of Persia's Grand ] (Mirza AbolQasem Qa'im ~~Maqām~~), many Central Asian khanates began losing hope for any support from Persia against the ]ist armies. <ref>], ''Kharazm: What do I know about Iran?''. 2004. ISBN 964-379-023-1, p.78</ref> The Russian armies occupied the ] coast in 1849, ] in 1864, ] in 1867, ] in 1868, and ] and ] in 1873.		With ] continuously advancing south in the course of two wars against Persia, and the treaties of ] and ] in the western frontiers, plus the unexpected death of ] in 1823, and the murdering of Persia's Grand ] (Mirza AbolQasem Qa'im Maqām), many Central Asian khanates began losing hope for any support from Persia against the ]ist armies. <ref>], ''Kharazm: What do I know about Iran?''. 2004. ISBN 964-379-023-1, p.78</ref> The Russian armies occupied the ] coast in 1849, ] in 1864, ] in 1867, ] in 1868, and ] and ] in 1873.

	Again ]:		Again ]:
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	==]s and Provinces of Greater Iran (Persia)==		==]s and Provinces of Greater Iran (Persia)==
	===]===		===]===
	]"Khwarazm is one of the regions of ''Iran-zameen'', and is the home of the ancient Iranians, ], according to the ancient book of the ]." <ref>], ''Kharazm: What do I know about Iran?''. 2004. ISBN 964-379-023-1, p.111</ref> Modern scholars believe Khwarazm to be what ancient ] texts refer to as ]. <ref>Farahvoshi, Bahram. ''Iranovich'', ] Press. 1991, p.8</ref> These sources claim that ], which was the capital of ancient Khwarazm for many years, was actually "Ourva": the eighth land of ] mentioned in the ] text of ].<ref>Javan, Musa. ''Tarikh-i Ijtima'i Iran-i Bastan (The social history of ancient Iran)'', 1961, p24</ref> Michael Witzel, a researcher in early Indo-European history, believes that ] was located in what is now ] , the northern areas of which were a part of Ancient Khwarezm and ]. Others such as ] historian ] believe Khwarazm to be the "most likely locale" corresponding to the original home of the ]n people <ref>], ''The History of Iran''. 2001. ISBN 0-313-30731-8, p.28</ref>, while ] calls Khwarazm "the cradle of the ] tribe" (~~مهد~~ ~~قوم~~ ~~آریا~~). Today Khwarazm is split between several central Asian republics.		]"Khwarazm is one of the regions of ''Iran-zameen'', and is the home of the ancient Iranians, ], according to the ancient book of the ]." <ref>], ''Kharazm: What do I know about Iran?''. 2004. ISBN 964-379-023-1, p.111</ref> Modern scholars believe Khwarazm to be what ancient ] texts refer to as ]. <ref>Farahvoshi, Bahram. ''Iranovich'', ] Press. 1991, p.8</ref> These sources claim that ], which was the capital of ancient Khwarazm for many years, was actually "Ourva": the eighth land of ] mentioned in the ] text of ].<ref>Javan, Musa. ''Tarikh-i Ijtima'i Iran-i Bastan (The social history of ancient Iran)'', 1961, p24</ref> Michael Witzel, a researcher in early Indo-European history, believes that ] was located in what is now ] , the northern areas of which were a part of Ancient Khwarezm and ]. Others such as ] historian ] believe Khwarazm to be the "most likely locale" corresponding to the original home of the ]n people <ref>], ''The History of Iran''. 2001. ISBN 0-313-30731-8, p.28</ref>, while ] calls Khwarazm "the cradle of the ] tribe" (مهد قوم آریا). Today Khwarazm is split between several central Asian republics.

	Superimposed on and overlapping with ] was ] which roughly covered nearly the same geographical areas in Central Asia (starting from ] eastward through northern Afghanistan roughly until the foothills of ]). Current day provinces such as ] in ], ], ], and ] in ] are all remnants of the old ]. Until the 13th century and the devastating Mongol invasion of the region, Khorasan was considered the cultural capital of ].<ref>		Superimposed on and overlapping with ] was ] which roughly covered nearly the same geographical areas in Central Asia (starting from ] eastward through northern Afghanistan roughly until the foothills of ]). Current day provinces such as ] in ], ], ], and ] in ] are all remnants of the old ]. Until the 13th century and the devastating Mongol invasion of the region, Khorasan was considered the cultural capital of ].<ref>
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	Image:Prokudin-Gorskii-17.jpg\|''Masjed-i Shah-i Zendeh'' ("Mosque of the immortal King" in Persian), ]		Image:Prokudin-Gorskii-17.jpg\|''Masjed-i Shah-i Zendeh'' ("Mosque of the immortal King" in Persian), ]
	Image:Bukhara16.jpg\|''Taq-i Zargaran'' ("Arch of the goldsmiths" in Persian), Bukhara		Image:Bukhara16.jpg\|''Taq-i Zargaran'' ("Arch of the goldsmiths" in Persian), Bukhara
	Image:Bukhara ark.jpg\|''Arg-i Bukhara'' ("Citadel of Bukhara" in Persian), is not unsimilar to ] or ] in ]		Image:Bukhara ark.jpg\|''Arg-i Bukhara'' ("Citadel of Bukhara" in Persian), is not unsimilar to ] or ] in ]
	Image:Herat citadel.jpg\|''Arg-i Herat'', ], from the ] era.		Image:Herat citadel.jpg\|''Arg-i Herat'', ], from the ] era.
	Image:Humayuns Tomb Delhi 31-05-2005 pic3.jpg\|], ].		Image:Humayuns Tomb Delhi 31-05-2005 pic3.jpg\|], ].
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	====]====		====]====
	The national anthem in Tajikistan, "]", attests to the Perso-Tajik identity, which has seen a large revival, after the breakup of the ]. ] is almost identical to that spoken in Afghanistan and Iran, and their cities have Persian names, e.g. ], ] (Esfarayen), ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] ().		The national anthem in Tajikistan, "]", attests to the Perso-Tajik identity, which has seen a large revival, after the breakup of the ]. [[Tajik language\|Th

	Some experts even argue that ] are culturally closer to the Persian original root, as the Iranians to the west have mingled and mixed with various empires over the years.

	====]====
	Afghans take pride in being close descendants of the ]s, or to be more precise: '''Ariana''' - the Greek pronunciation of the ancient ]n ] or the ] "Aryavarta", Land of the Aryans. Today this Old-Persian, and Avestan expression is preserved in the name of the Afghan national airline, ]. The term 'Ariana Afghanistan' is still popular amongst many people in the country.

	Afghanistan was part of ], and hence was recognized with the name Khorasan (along with regions centered around Merv and Neishabur), which in Pahlavi means "The Eastern Land" (خاور زمین in Persian). <ref>], '']'', Tehran University Press, p.8457</ref>

	Afghanistan is where ] is located, home of ], ], and where many other notables in ] came from. The ] language of Afghanistan, is a nearly identical dialect of the Persian language. It is widely spoken in Afghanistan.

	At the latest, ] lost control of ] to the British in 1857. But still even today, Persian names are far abound across the towns and districts of the country: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] among others.

	ززابل به کابل رسید آن زمان<br>
	From ] he arrived to ]<br>
	گرازان و خندان و دل شادمان<br>
	Strutting, happy, and mirthful<br>
	''---] in ]''

	====]====
	Home of the ] (]). ] is also where the half-Persian caliph ] moved his capital to, inorder to move the center of the caliphate away from Arab speaking lands. The city of ] is yet another Persian word meaning "city of love", and like Iran, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, it was once part of ].

	====]====
	The famous cities of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] are located here. Many experts point to these cities as the birthplace of modern Persian language. The ]s, who claimed inheritance to the ]s, had their capital built here.

	ای بخارا شاد باش و دیر زی<br>
	Oh ]! Joy to you and live long!<br>
	شاه زی تو میهمان آید همی<br>
	Your King comes to you in ceremony.<br>
	''---]''

	====Western China====
	The ] regions of ] harbored a Persian population and culture. <ref>See:
	*], p.443 for ''Persian settlements in southwestern China''
	*'']'' for more links on the historical ties.</ref>

	=== ] regions===
	] relief is located near ], in the Kurdish region of Iran, and is believed to depict either ] or ].]]
	The Kurdish regions together including those in ], ] and ], in addition to Iran, constitute what is commonly referred to as the greater ]. The Kurdish regions in ], ] and ] are entwined with the culture and history of that of the rest of Greater Iran. The Kurds and Lurs of Iran are spread out through many provinces, and are thought to also be closely descended from the Aryan tribes of antiquity. ] was born from a Kurdish mother of the Shabankareh tribe of ]. Kurdish ancestors are believed to have consisted of the ancient tribes descending from the Caucauses, such as ] tribes, as well as the later Indo-Iranian speaking ]. The ] established the ] in 728 BCE, before forming a union with the Persian tribes and creating the Iranian Empire.

	===]===
	The western provinces of Pakistan, which comprise the ] and ], are predominantly Iranian-speaking regions where ] and ] comprise the vast majority of the local populations and remain an extension of Iranian civilization in the east. In addition, many remains of Persian architecture still remain in these areas (e.g. ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]), and up to 1 million Persian speakers still exist.

	Parts of Pakistan east of the Indus river are traditionally thought of as ] rather than being part of greater Iran.
	Pakistan's national language, ] borrows heavily from ], while the nation's national poet, Muhammad Iqbal wrote the majority of poems in Persian. Pakistan's national anthem is also in Persian, and many educated Pakistanis are fluent in the language. In addition Persian influence resonates in arts and architecture.

	===Parts of the ''']''' region===
	] remains can be seen up far north as "''']'''", now in southern Russia (the words ] and darband are both Persian). These parts were mostly annexed by ] over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries. yet even today, most of these regions continue to retain their ''Greater Persian'' identity, as can be seen in their traditions and customs (e.g. ]). ''For a discussion see <ref>]: "Caucasus Iran" article, p.84-96.</ref>''

	====]====
	Separated from Iran in the mid-1800s, by virtue of the ] and ]. The city of ] (Bād-kubeh) is another city with an originally Persian name. The word Azerbaijan itself is from the Persian "Azar-Padegan" (Atropatan).

	Despite the annexation of this area by ], the main part of Azerbaijan remians inside the modern day ].

	گزیده هر چه در ایران بزرگان<br>
	زآذربایگان و ری و گرگان

	All the nobles and greats of Iran,<br>
	Choose from Azarbaijan, ], and ].<br>
	--'']''

	====Armenia ("Armanestan")====
	] was a province of various ]s since the ] period and was heavily influenced by ]. Armenia however, has historically been largely populated by a distinct ]-speaking people who merged with local ] peoples, rather than being directly associated with the Iranian peoples. Ancient Armenian society was a combination of local cultures, Iranian social and political structures, and ]/] traditions. <ref>See:
	*Link:
	*] p.417-483 for a lengthy discussion on this topic. Link: </ref> Due to centuries of independent indigenous development, conquests by western powers including the ] and ], and its diverse diasporic population that has absorbed many cultural traits, especially those of ] and ], Armenia can be termed a ] state.

	Iran continues to have a ] that links ] to Iranian culture. Many Armenians such as ] were directly involved and remembered in the ].

	====]====
	Early in antiquity, ] is known to have had fortifications built here. In later times, some of Persia's literary and intellectual figures from the ] period have hailed from this region. Also separated from Greater-Iran/Persia in the mid-1800s, by virtue of the ] and ].

	که تا جایگه یافتی نخچوان<br>
	Oh Nakhchivan, respect youve attained,<br>
	بدین شاه شد بخت پیرت جوان<br>
	With this King in luck youll remain.<br>
	''---]''

	====] and ]====
	], 1620. Artist is ]. Painting is located at Berlin's Museum Für Islamische Kunst.]]
	], or "Gorjestan" was a Persian Province during ] times (particularly starting with Hormozd IV). During the ] era, Georgia became so culturally intertwined with Iran that they almost repalced the ] in the Safavid courts. ] was even the official administrative language of Georgia in the time of Shah Tahmasb, and Allah-verdi Khan, whom the famous landmark of ] in ] is named after, was among the Georgian elite that were involved in the Safavid government. And ], ], was the son of a Georgian father.<ref>Patrick Clawson. Eternal Iran. Palgrave. 2005. Coauthored with Michael Rubin. ISBN 1-4039-6276-6 p.168</ref> Georgia was again a direct province of Persia from 1629 until 1762 when the Russian influence arrived.

	The aforementioned is especially true of "Eastern Georgia". Eastern Georgia historically was attached to the south for support, as opposed to Western Georgia, which looked for help to the North. The city of "Teflis" (now ]) was Persianized for quite some time. The ]id heir to the throne prince ] spent much time there.

	In the end, Persia was unable to challenge Russia in Georgia, and officially gave up claim to Georgia according to the text of the ] and ]. Today, Georgia continues to be Europeanized.

	For a lengthy discussion, see <ref>]'s reference on Gorjestan: </ref>

	===Modern-Day ]===
	This is what used to be the western part of Greater Iran. At times, it also included what is today eastern ], as it is where the ] capital was located (]). There are still cities and provinces in contemporary Iraq where the Persian names of the city are still retained. e.g. ] or ]. Other cities of Iraq with originally Persian names include ''Nokard'' --> ], ''Budh-Aadashir'' --> ], ''Suristan'' --> ], ''Shahrban'' --> ], ''Anbar'' --> ], ] --> ''Shatt al-Arab'', and ''Asheb'' --> ]. <ref>See: محمدی ملایری، محمد: فرهنگ ایران در دوران انتقال از عصر ساسانی به عصر اسلامی، جلد دوم: دل ایرانشهر، تهران، انتشارات توس 1375.: Mohammadi Malayeri, M.: Del-e Iranshahr, vol. II, Tehran 1375 Hs.</ref>

	] verifies this:

	:"Arab nationalists may seek retroactively to extend the present into the past, but this skews reality. Iranian domains once extended well into what is now Iraq. The first Sassanian capital was at Ctesiphon, 21 miles southeast of Baghdad."<ref>]. ''Eternal Iran''. Palgrave Macmillan. 2005. ISBN 1-4039-6276-6,</ref>

	Even after Iraq was Arabized during the Islamic conquests of the 7th century, the Persian presence was still quite recognizeable and dominant at times, as many famous Persian ] clerics are buried in ] and ]. At the latest, the ]s lost control of these areas to the Ottoman Empire

	==References==
	<references/>

	==Further reading==

	*"Ethnic Identity in Iran" by ], JSAI 26, 2002, see p.82
	*

	== See also ==
	*]
	*]
	*]
	*]
	*]
	*] cultures
	*]
	*]

	== Other cultural continents ==
	* ]
	* ]

	==External links==
	===In English===
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*
	*

	===In Persian===
	*
	*
	*


	]
	]
	]
	]

	]
	]

Revision as of 05:22, 21 September 2006

File:Greater-Iran.png

Greater Iran.

Greater Iran (in Persian: ایران بزرگ pron: Iran-e Bozorg, also ایران‌زمین pron: Iran-zameen) is a term for the entire region where Iranian languages were once or are today spoken, as well as areas that were part of various empires based in Persia. The Encyclopedia Iranica uses the term Iranian Cultural Continent , and other names such as Greater Persia or Persian cultural continent have also been used, especially in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Obviously, "Greater Iran" has had no fixed boundaries, nor even a fixed definition. While some sources specifically define Greater Iran to include the current republics of Iran, Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, and Central Asian Republics , other sources such as Richard Nelson Frye give a more broader definition and define it to have included "much of the Caucasus, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, with cultural influences extending to China, India, and the Semitic speaking world." According to Frye, "Iran means all lands and peoples where Iranian languages were and are spoken, and where in the past, multi-faceted Iranian cultures existed."

In the work Nuzhat al-Qolub (نزهه القلوب), the medieval geographer Hamdollah Mostowfi writes:

چند شهر است اندر ایران مرتفع تر از همه
Some cities of Iran are better than the rest,
بهتر و سازنده تر از خوشی آب و هوا
these have pleasant and compromising weather,
گنجه پر گنج در اران صفاهان در عراق
The wealthy Ganjeh of Arran, and Isfahan as well,
در خراسان مرو و طوس در روم باشد اقسرا
Merv and Tus in Khorasan, and Konya (Aqsara) too.

A detailed list of these provinces follows in this article.

Background

Patrick Clawson of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy writes:

"Many Iranians consider their natural sphere of influence to extend beyond Iran's present borders. After all, Iran was once much larger. Portuguese forces seized islands and ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 19th century, the Russian Empire wrested from Tehran's control what is today Armenia, Republic of Azerbaijan, and part of Georgia. Iranian elementary school texts teach about the Iranian roots not only of cities like Baku, but also cities further north like Derbent in southern Russia. The Shah lost much of his claim to western Afghanistan following the Anglo-Iranian war of 1856-1857. Only in 1970 did a UN sponsored consultation end Iranian claims to suzerainty over the Persian Gulf island nation of Bahrain. In centuries past, Iranian rule once stretched westward into modern Iraq and beyond. When the western world complains of Iranian interference beyond its borders, the Iranian government often convincesd itself that it is merely exerting its influence in lands that were once its own. Simultaneously, Iran's losses at the hands of outside powers have contributed to a sense of grievance that continues to the present day."

In Persian, Greater Iran is called Iranzamin (ایران‌زمین) which means "The Land of Iran". Iranzamin was in the mythical times opposed to the Turanzamin the Land of Turan, which was located in the upper part of Central Asia.

In the pre-Islamic period, Iranians distinguished two main regions in the territory they ruled, one Iran and the other Aniran. By Iran they meant all the regions inhabited by ancient Iranian peoples. That region was much vaster than it is today. This notion of Iran as a territory (opposed to Aniran) can be seen as the core of early Greater Iran. Later many changes occurred in the boundaries and areas where Iranians lived but the languages and culture remained the dominant medium in many parts of the Greater Iran.

As an example, the Persian language was the main literary language and the language of correspondence in Central Asia and Caucasus prior to the Russian occupation, Central Asia being the birthplace of modern Persian language. Furthermore, according to the British government, Persian language was also used in Iraqi Kurdistan, prior to the British Occupation and Mandate in 1918-1932 .

With Imperial Russia continuously advancing south in the course of two wars against Persia, and the treaties of Turkmanchai and Golestan in the western frontiers, plus the unexpected death of Abbas Mirza in 1823, and the murdering of Persia's Grand Vizier (Mirza AbolQasem Qa'im Maqām), many Central Asian khanates began losing hope for any support from Persia against the Tsarist armies. The Russian armies occupied the Aral coast in 1849, Tashkent in 1864, Bukhara in 1867, Samarkand in 1868, and Khiva and Amudarya in 1873.

Again Patrick Clawson:

"Iran today is just a rump of what it once was. At its height, Iranian rulers controlled Iraq, Afghanistan, much of Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Many Iranians today consider these areas part of a greater Iranian sphere of influence."

"Since the days of the Achaemenids, the Iranians had the protection of geography. But high mountains and vast emptiness of the Iranian plateau were no longer enough to shield Iran from the Russian army or British navy. Both literally, and figuratively, Iran shrank. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Azerbaijan, Armenia, much of Georgia, and Afghanistan were Iranian, but by the end of the century, all this territory had been lost as a result of European military action."

Treaties

1639 Treaty fo Zuhab: Persia loses Baghdad and modern Iraq to the Ottoman Empire.
1813 Gulestan Treaty: Iran loses control over large areas of the Caucasus.
1828 Turkamanchay Treaty: Signed by Fath Ali Shah. Imperial Russia gains sovereingty over the Caucasus.
1857 Paris Treaty: Signed by Nasereddin Shah. Iran loses Herat and parts of Afghanistan in exchange for the evacuation of Iran's southern ports by Great Britain.
1881 Akhal Treaty: Signed by Nasereddin Shah. Iran loses Merv and parts of Khwarazmia in exchange for security guarantees from Imperial Russia.
1893: Iran further loses regions near the Atrak river that were entitled to it from the Akhal Treaty. This treaty was signed by General Boutsoff and Mirza Ali Asghar Amin al-Sultan on May 27, 1893.
1907: Persia was to be carved up into three regions, according to the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907.
1970: Iran abandons sovereignty rights over Bahrain to Great Britain in exchange for Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa islands in the Persian Gulf.

Maps

A 1753 map by Robert De Vaugondy titled ESTATS DU GRAND-SEIGNEUR EN ASIE where the color yellow marks the Greater Persian territores.
Map depiction from 500BC.
19th century British map depicting Greater Persia.
An 1808 British map of Persia.
Map depiction of 1719 of Central Asia.
1598 German map of the region. 1598 German map of the region.
Herman Moll's map of 1720. Note the provincial markings. Herman Moll's map of 1720. Note the provincial markings.
1610 Map by Dutch map maker Jodocus Hondius showing Bactria and Georgia among the territories. 1610 Map by Dutch map maker Jodocus Hondius showing Bactria and Georgia among the territories.

Persianates and Provinces of Greater Iran (Persia)

Central Asia

File:Mercator 1595.JPG

Gerard Mercator's map of 1595 showing the Central Asian region.

"Khwarazm is one of the regions of Iran-zameen, and is the home of the ancient Iranians, Airyanem Vaejah, according to the ancient book of the Avesta." Modern scholars believe Khwarazm to be what ancient Avestic texts refer to as "Ariyaneh Waeje" or "Iran vij". These sources claim that Urgandj, which was the capital of ancient Khwarazm for many years, was actually "Ourva": the eighth land of Ahura Mazda mentioned in the Pahlavi text of Vendidad. Michael Witzel, a researcher in early Indo-European history, believes that Iran vig was located in what is now Afghanistan , the northern areas of which were a part of Ancient Khwarezm and Greater Khorasan. Others such as University of Hawaii historian Elton L. Daniel believe Khwarazm to be the "most likely locale" corresponding to the original home of the Avestan people , while Dehkhoda calls Khwarazm "the cradle of the Aryan tribe" (مهد قوم آریا). Today Khwarazm is split between several central Asian republics.

Superimposed on and overlapping with Chorasmia was Khorasan which roughly covered nearly the same geographical areas in Central Asia (starting from Semnan eastward through northern Afghanistan roughly until the foothills of Pamir). Current day provinces such as Sanjan in Turkmenia, Razavi Khorasan Province, Nothern Khorasan Province, and Southern Khorasan Province in Iran are all remnants of the old Khorasan. Until the 13th century and the devastating Mongol invasion of the region, Khorasan was considered the cultural capital of Persia.

Madresh-i Chahor Minor ("School of four minarets" in Persian), Bukhara, Uzbekistan.
Mausoleum of the founder of the great Samanid dynasty. Mausoleum of the founder of the great Samanid dynasty.
The magnificent Gur-e Amir ("tomb of the Amir" in Persian) The magnificent Gur-e Amir ("tomb of the Amir" in Persian)
Masjed-i Bibi-khanum ("Mosque of The Lady" in Persian), Samarkand Masjed-i Bibi-khanum ("Mosque of The Lady" in Persian), Samarkand
Masjed-i Shah-i Zendeh ("Mosque of the immortal King" in Persian), Samarkand Masjed-i Shah-i Zendeh ("Mosque of the immortal King" in Persian), Samarkand
Taq-i Zargaran ("Arch of the goldsmiths" in Persian), Bukhara
Arg-i Bukhara ("Citadel of Bukhara" in Persian), is not unsimilar to Arg-é Bam or Arg-i Rayen in Carmania
Arg-i Herat, Afghanistan, from the Seleucid era. Arg-i Herat, Afghanistan, from the Seleucid era.
Tomb of Humayun, Delhi.
Shrine of Khwajeh Ahmad Yasavi, Kazakhstan.
E'temad al-Dowleh's tomb, India.

Tajikistan

The national anthem in Tajikistan, "Surudi Milli", attests to the Perso-Tajik identity, which has seen a large revival, after the breakup of the USSR. [[Tajik language|Th

Frye, Richard Nelson, Greater Iran, ISBN 1-56859-177-2 p.xi
Patrick Clawson. Eternal Iran. Palgrave. 2005. Coauthored with Michael Rubin. ISBN 1-4039-6276-6 p.9,10
Dehkhoda Dictionary, Dehkhoda, see under entry "Turan"
Homayoun, N. T., Kharazm: What do I know about Iran?. 2004. ISBN 964-379-023-1, p.78
Patrick Clawson. Eternal Iran. Palgrave. 2005. Coauthored with Michael Rubin. ISBN 1-4039-6276-6 p.30
Patrick Clawson. Eternal Iran. Palgrave. 2005. Coauthored with Michael Rubin. ISBN 1-4039-6276-6 p.31-32
Homayoun, N.T., Kharazm: What do I know about Iran?. 2004. ISBN 964-379-023-1, p.111
Farahvoshi, Bahram. Iranovich, Tehran University Press. 1991, p.8
Javan, Musa. Tarikh-i Ijtima'i Iran-i Bastan (The social history of ancient Iran), 1961, p24
Daniel, E., The History of Iran. 2001. ISBN 0-313-30731-8, p.28
Lorentz, J. Historical Dictionary of Iran. 1995. ISBN 0-8108-2994-0