The market of Ahar city in East Azerbaijan province is sometimes known by its historical name, “Nasirbeyg Market.” Besides Tabriz bazaar, there is no other market in Azarbaijan that has the antiquity of Ahar Bazaar. Its old chambers are still in place, and artisans who have learned art from their fathers are busy working in it. Ahar Bazaar is undoubtedly one of the tourist attractions of this beautiful city.
For the people of the vast area called Arasbaran, that includes the cities of Ahar, Varzaqan, Kalibar, and several other cities, Ahar market has always been the place where they purchase their daily needs. It has been like this for centuries, and still, Ahar Bazaar has not lost its prominent place in the urban life of the people of that region.
History of Ahar Bazaar
It may not be possible to determine the year that this market was built. But some documents show that the governor of Arasbaran in the Qajar period, Rashid al-Molk, rebuilt this market, which was built before him, and gave it fresh life and vigor. This work was done in the 1321 lunar year, during the reign of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar.
In those days, the market was built and organized in such a way that it would meet the commercial and social needs of that part of Azarbaijan, especially since Ahar was a junction for trade caravans and the city had a strategic position. Therefore, it was necessary to build a market that met the needs of merchants and traders, which the governor of Ahar realized and did not spare any efforts to expand. During the Qajar period, the Ahar market was one of Iran’s most essential and well-known markets, and much attention was paid to it. The critical point is that even though the construction of all parts of the bazaar took several years. Even though the construction of all parts of the bazaar took several years, yet it has a consolidated and undivided structure and is known for its outstanding architecture.
Features of the Ahar market
First of all, let us mention that the dome of Ahar Bazaar is wholly made of bricks, and its builders did not spare any effort in adding spectacular plasterwork to it. This array gives the market a rare feature and makes it more visible among the historical markets. Those plasters can be seen on the doors of bazaar shops and attract everyone’s attention.
Ahar market is built of two stories and four sections and four passages: Kafashan Bazaar, Jafar Qolikhan Bazaar, Nasirbeyg Bazaar, and Rastebazar. all four passages have plasterwork with flowers and leaves, and their brickwork is genuinely spectacular. The ceiling of the bazaar is wooden, and the walls are brick. The entrances are also multiple, to allow shoppers to enter the market easily and do their purchase quickly.
Two parts of the bazaar have kept their old colors and atmosphere more than others: the shoemaker’s bazaar, Basmakhchibazaar in the Azeri language, and the Nasirbeyg bazaar. Doab Square and Tarebar Square are other parts of this centuries-old market.
Unfortunately, so far, little research has been done about the historic market of ahar, though this structure is worthy of special attention, both from the architecture point of view and the role it has played in the history of this city. Ahar market has always been one of the city’s physical spaces and has had a close connection with the area around it. This feature has increased the social ties of the people of Ahar and made the city market a center for social and cultural relations. This market was built in line with the roads and passages of the city and was accessed by the four main gates of the town: Kalibar, Tabriz, Horand, and Ardabil. The side entrances of the bazaar also lead to the squares and open areas.
As we said earlier, Ahar market has been built and expanded gradually, taking into consideration the commercial and social changes in the city. Ahar market has developed and changed its structure to meet the city’s expansion and growthy.
Ahar is an earthquake-prone land. Its market was also not spared from the damage was earthquakes. For example, part of this historical market was destroyed in the 1391 Amordad earthquake. Fortunately, the damaged parts were rebuilt quickly.
