A Historical and Documentary Study of the Structure and Function of Astan Quds Razavi in Leasing Endowed Properties during the Qajar Period (Case Study: Endowments of Khorasan and Mashhad)

Fatemi Moghadam, Zahra; Vakili, Hadi; Mahboob Farimani, Elaheh

doi:10.22034/jgk.2026.545057.1294

A Historical and Documentary Study of the Structure and Function of Astan Quds Razavi in Leasing Endowed Properties during the Qajar Period (Case Study: Endowments of Khorasan and Mashhad)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Zahra Fatemi Moghadam ¹

Hadi vakili ²

Elaheh Mahboob Farimani ³

¹ PhD student, Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran

² Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

³ Researcher of Astan Quds Razavi, Mashhad, Iran

10.22034/jgk.2026.545057.1294

Abstract

Since the establishment of the administrative structure of the Razavi Shrine, one of the major challenges has been the organization and management of endowed properties. The large and growing number of waqf assets, their geographical spread, and diverse usage have posed significant difficulties in their administration. Leasing these properties emerged as a common method for organizing and economically utilizing them, playing a crucial role in the waqf management system. The aim of this article is to examine the methods of leasing the endowed properties of Astan Quds Razavi during the Qajar period and to analyze the factors influencing this process. Based on historical sources and documents, the study seeks to answer how the leasing of endowed properties was managed during this era. For a more precise analysis, and in light of the changes following the Constitutional Revolution, the Qajar period is divided into two phases: pre- and post-constitutional. Findings indicate that prior to the revolution, property leasing was conducted according to customary and religious rules under the supervision of shrine and waqf custodians; however, after the revolution, administrative reforms placed this process under direct government oversight, often through the Ministry of Education and Endowments or the Governor of Khorasan. Overall, the leasing practices were shaped by the managerial capacity of custodians and the prevailing political, economic, and social conditions. The research method employed is library-based, with a focus on comparative and analytical examination of sources, particularly archival documents.

Keywords

Endowment

lease

trustee

Astan Quds Razavi

Qajar dynasty

documents

Subjects