Grave of Karim Khan’s Mother Discovered in Malayer

Tehran, 4 April 2006 (CHN) -- Archeological excavations in Malayer, a city in Hamadan province, led to the discovery of the grave of Karim Khan’s mother in Pari Tepe. “The gravestone of Karim Khan’s mother has been transferred to the public bath of the village by the inhabitants to be kept in a special condition. The villagers have taken the charge of preserving the gravestone themselves and they rarely show it to the others,” said Javad Babapiri, head of excavation team in Pari Tepe in Hamadan province.
Pari Tepe is the birth place of Karim Khan, the founder of Zand dynasty (1750–1794 AD), a Lur-Bakhtiari ethnic group in Iran. Karim Khan Zand became one of the generals of his predecessor, Nader Shah. In the chaotic aftermath of Nader Shah’s assassination in 1747 AD, Karim Khan became a major contender for power but was challenged by several adversaries; however he finally seized the power over Iran. In the course of Iranian history, Karim Khan Zand, enjoys a good reputation among the people; he did not adopt the title of Shah (the king) for himself, preferring the title Vakil-ol Roayaa (The Peasants’ Regent).
According to Babapiri, the gravestone is made of igneous rock and has a rectangular shape. 150 graves have been discovered in Pari Tepe so far. The initial studies on Zandieh graves show that the design of worry beads and seals and the prayer cloth, two-sided combs and mirrors were carved on the graves of women while the worry beads and seals, hubble-bubble pipe, dagger, gun, and sometimes the design of horses can be seen carved on the gravestones of men.
“There is a vertical stone above the grave of the lords and the headmen of the tribes on which the scene of bringing hubble-bubble pipes and tea for the lord were carved,” added Babapiri.
Discovery of 45-centimeter long clay pipes with 15-centimeter diameter in Pari Tepe attracted the attention of archaeologists to the irrigation system of this historical site. The discovered clay pipes also date back to the Zand period and they were covered by mortar and dregs of burnt bricks. Based on the studies the irrigation channel was led to the Zand Fortress.
“The studies of the irrigation system of the Zand Fortress discovered in Pari Tepe indicate that it is very similar to the irrigation system in Fin Garden in the city of Kashan. The water of the river was carried to the fortress with maximum pressure by clay pipes,” said Babapiri.
The historical site of Pari Tepe (hill) is located in Pari Village near the city of Malayer in Hamadan province which was excavated by Hakimi in 1970 for the first time.