The study of historical evolution of the position of the dehgan from aristocratic landowner to rural farmer From ancient times to the sixth century AH

Abstract

The Dehgans were one of the most important and influential social classes in Iranian history during the Sassanid and early Islamic centuries. The social position of the Dehgans who were educated and aristocratic landowners, in the transition from the ancient times to the Islamic era, when great political and religious changes took place, did not decrease but also improved in some cases. During conquests, Dehgans were mainly rulers and governors of many different regions of Sassanid Iran. They reached peace and consensus with Arab conquerors and maintained their aristocracy for several centuries. But what is important in the history of this social class, is a change in the concept of Dehgan from the sixth century AH onwards. In fact, from this century onwards we are witnessing the gradual evolution of the concept of Dehgan from aristocratic landowner to poor rural. This research seeks to explain why this very important evolution occurred. According to the research findings, this evolution was not caused by political changes (the fall of the Sassanid regime) or religious changes (the conversion of Iranians to Islam), but rather by economic changes and the land system.

Keywords

• dehgan
• aristocratic landowner
• rural farmer
• iqta
• land system