Tar, Isfahan

Tar طار
Zoroastrian village
Tar
Coordinates: 33°22′26″N 51°45′03″E / 33.37389°N 51.75083°E / 33.37389; 51.75083Coordinates: 33°22′26″N 51°45′03″E / 33.37389°N 51.75083°E / 33.37389; 51.75083
Country	Iran
Province	Tar
County	Tar
Iran	Iran
Rural District	Tar
Government
• Zoroastrian people	Dar
Area
• Total	360 km2 (140 sq mi)
Elevation	2,576 m (8,451 ft)
Population  (2006)
• Total	259
• Density	0.72/km2 (1.9/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+3:30 (IRST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+4:30 (IRDT)
Area code(s)	031

Tar (Persian: طار, also Romanized as Ţār)^[1] is a village in Tarq Rud Rural District, in the Central District of Natanz County, Isfahan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 259, in 110 families. The Tari civilization is one of historically unique significance based on its geographical location, like that of most oases, the mountainous desert meant that Tar Village was nestled within a mountainous terrain of lands surrounded by desert plains considered mostly uninhabitable. These harsh conditions made the surrounding landscape difficult to navigate and therefore caused the Village of Tar to remain undisturbed amongst most parts of Iran effected by the Islamic Conquest by attacks from surrounding Arab tribes. It is believed by what is told by the centenarian village elders, as well as in accordance with information gathered in historically notable locations, such as the partially-standing Zoraostrian fire temple as well as the dating some burial sites which provide names of deceased villagers in correlation with dates which concur with the idea, being that up to 250–200 years ago, the concept and influence of Islam had not yet reached the region. Therefore it is said{{by who?|date=October 2021} the name Tar meaning "the hidden Heaven" was a name befitting of the village throughout the ages, as its situational advantage had long before the Arab conquests, been a protector of its people by remaining out of sight to those who had no distinct knowledge of its location. which made for both harsh conditions through which to navigate, as well as a situation facet of people are Jewish and Zoroas. The Jewish population who lived peacefully within this region with the Persian Zoroastrians are known to be a settlement clan which remained and lived in Tar for centuries. These Jewish tribes are traced back to the same population which was freed from Babylonian Captivity by King Cyrus The Great of Persia, who had equipped the post-captive Babylonian Jewish community with food, honey, wine and hoards of Camel in order to aid in their plight for returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the Temple of Solomon for the second time since its destruction by the Akkadians. Thus the Village of Tar was populated by Jewish and Persian Zoroastrians who lived together in peace until the later centuries of Arab Conquest caused the Jews to live in more discreet and separated sectors of the Tar Village region.^[2]

Tar, in the word translates to (Parthian Pahlavi) "hidden heaven".

History[]

About 1000 years ago, Zoroastrian and Jewish tribes migrated to different cities. One of these tribes reached aqueducts and found a green area, and there Tar as the "hidden paradise" was discovered and settled upon. After the earthquake that caused parts of the surface to sink into the ground and create craters, it caused these people to come to the lower parts and form a lower addition to the village. The old building, which is called Baba Abdullah Mausoleum, was the first fire temple in which the Zoroastrian practise of fire worship could be practiced by the priests who were tasked with keeping the temple fire to burn without interpretation, similarly to the Olympic torch which is tended to in order for its flame to remain ever-burning. After the eventual discovery of Tar Village, this fire temple was renamed Baba-Abdullah in fear for it being destroyed under the guise was existing as a non-Islamic institution of worship. The original name of this fire temple is unknown. Upon the arrival of the Arab conquest there was also a change of its role, possibly into a mosque, before it was abandoned. Nader Shah the Great was also known to pass through this place during intentions in fighting the Afghans tribes within the region. Tar has been the summer resort of Safavid kings, including Shah Abbas Safavid.

References[]