Ramadan Cannon-Firing Tradition Documented by Iranian National Archives

In the contemporary era, Ramadan cannon-firing tradition was one of the most difficult and costly methods to make people of aware of dawn and Iftar time. In Naseri Era, the costs were borne by the rulers of the provinces, and during the Constitutional Revolution by the interior ministry. In the catastrophic period of Ahmad Shah's ruling, such costs were a major problem for the interior, finance and the war ministries, none of which was willing to undertake such costs. During Reza Shah’s ruling, the cannon-firing of and its costs were initially undertaken by the general staff of the army; subsequently, from January 1932, the ministry of the interior became responsible for such costs. Gradually, this tradition became obsoleted and was not carried out from Ramadan in 1940. Then, in 1943, Azan was broadcast from the radio for the first time and replaced the tradition.