On May 7th, a special event was held at the Central Library of Yazd, organized by the management of the Archives and National Library Center of Yazd Province. At this event, the newly published book “Documents of the Zoroastrian Jahanian Family” was officially unveiled. Published by Hirmba Press, the book contains a collection of political and commercial correspondence from the Jahanian trading house during the Qajar era.
Compiled in collaboration with Jamshid Varza, a member of the Jahanian family, and researcher Mehdi Vazini Afzal, the book offers not only a detailed look into the trade and business operations of the Jahanian family but also provides valuable insights into the social status of Zoroastrians and the broader historical context of Iran.
The publication was made possible thanks to Jamshid Varza’s dedication to preserving these important documents and his cooperation with scholars to make these primary sources available to the research community.
The event was attended by the head of the Archives and Documentation Center as well as historians and archival experts, who engaged in a meaningful discussion about the significance of Zoroastrian records.
Participants emphasized the urgent need for Zoroastrian individuals and organizations to recognize the importance of preserving these documents. Equally important is sharing these records with the National Archives and academic researchers — even through digitized copies or scans rather than the original documents.
Such steps would help ensure the proper professional preservation of these materials while allowing wider access for scholarly research, safeguarding a crucial part of Iran’s national heritage.
Attending the recent symposium also brought attention to several important issues. One participant mentioned that their family possesses a few receipts from their grandfather’s dealings with the Jahanian trading house. While these documents may seem minor at first, they could potentially clarify unclear aspects found in other records. Small, isolated collections of documents, when gathered together, can prove to be highly valuable. This underscores the importance of raising awareness among individuals about the significance of the documents they hold and encouraging them to share these with archival and research institutions to ensure their preservation and study.
Another key point highlighted was the critical role of Zoroastrian associations and organizations, as primary holders of many documents, in organizing and managing their archives. Given changing laws regarding document publication and archiving, these institutions should develop clear policies and procedures for proper documentation management.
Unfortunately, it was also noted that some former officials still keep certain records such as meeting minutes and other documents belonging to associations, which are not accessible to the relevant bodies or national archives. According to reports, these individuals sometimes withhold materials due to concerns over sensitive content.
As stressed during the discussions, it is essential to promote dialogue within the community and establish guidelines on how these documents should be transferred to associations, archival institutions, and researchers.
It is hoped that with mutual trust, the Zoroastrian documents—valuable both nationally and socially—will be better preserved and made available for thorough scholarly research.
