The Economic Functions of Tahouns of Torogh in the Qajar Era

Farabi, Shahin

doi:10.22034/jgk.2026.470849.1214

The Economic Functions of Tahouns of Torogh in the Qajar Era

Document Type : Original Article

Author

shahin farabi

Assistant Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences, Payame Noor University, Iran

10.22034/jgk.2026.470849.1214

Abstract

The watermill (āsīyāb) is one of the important human-made structures throughout history. In addition to meeting a significant part of the needs of urban and rural societies, it has served as a center of historical civilizations and contributed to economic prosperity, employment, and public welfare. Given the significant position of the Toroq watermills among the endowments of Astan-e Qods Razavi in Khorasan, their economic functions as an important source of the shrine’s revenues in the form of leased properties merit examination. The main question of this research is: What was the economic position of the Toroq watermills in the prosperity and development of this region and, more broadly, among the endowments of Astan-e Qods Razavi? Based on library and documentary studies, the findings indicate that the watermills of this region, particularly Mir-Ali Shir and Mir-Sheikhm, the two most important Toroq watermills, played a significant role in improving the livelihoods of local residents, maintaining settlement, and promoting regional economic prosperity by creating an economic cycle. In some cases, however, the watermills required urgent repairs and attention because of damage to various parts, drought, and seasonal water shortages in the Toroq River, thereby imposing costs on Astan-e Qods. Nevertheless, owing to their importance in supplying bread, the staple food of the population of the region and Mashhad, and their positive impact on the continuity and transformation of regional life, they contributed to the cash and non-cash revenues of Astan-e Qods Razavi through the leasing of endowments during the Qajar period. Despite the shrine’s economic challenges during this period, the resolution of problems largely prevented prolonged interruptions and closures of the watermills.

Keywords

watermill

Toroq

Astan-e Qods Razavi

economic function

Qajar era

endowments

Subjects

Historical geography, culture, society, history and civilization of Greater Khorasan

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