Iranian Journal for the History of Islamic Civilization

Iranian Journal for the History of Islamic Civilization

Zoroastrians in Baghdad: an Inquiry into the Relations between Zoroastrians and Islamic Caliphs up to the Fifth Century AH

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Associate Professor, Department of Ancient Languages, Section of Linguistics, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies (IHCS), Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Ctesiphon served as the Iranian capital for centuries, and the region of Iraq held such significance that it was called Dil-i Iranshahr (the Heart of the Land of Iran). There, the Iranians built their grandest palaces and developed an irrigation system based on an extensive network of canals branching from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The great Iranian Dehqans (landowners) brought prosperity to the region’s agriculture. However, the “Heart of Iranshahr” was quickly conquered and fell into the hands of the Arabs. This raises several fundamental questions: Did Zoroastrian Iranians abandon Iraq upon the arrival of Islam? Or, if they remained in Mesopotamia, what was their ultimate fate? When did Zoroastrian priests (Mobads) enter the history of post-Islamic Iran? How did the rise of the Abbasids, the founding of Baghdad and its subsequent scientific and political flourishing affect the Zoroastrian tradition during the Islamic era? Furthermore, until what period did Zoroastrians maintain an influential presence in Baghdad and the “Heart of Iranshahr”? By addressing these questions, this article seeks to shed light on the presence of Zoroastrian Mobads in Baghdad and their role in the events and transformations of the 3rd and 4th centuries AH
Keywords
Subjects

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Volume 59, Issue 1
(Spring & Summer 2026)
September 2026
Pages 217-250

  • Receive Date 06 January 2026
  • Revise Date 02 March 2026
  • Accept Date 06 October 2026