Landlords (Dehqans) During the Transfer Period* (scholarly/research)

Landlords (dehqans), as a noble and aristocratic class of late Sassanid dynasty, formed the nucleus and basis of the Iranian nation. They maintained some aspects of their importance during the early Islamic centuries as well. Actually, they were nobles who survived and could transfer ancient Iranian heritage to the next generations. During this transition, they played several key roles. They not only acted as intermediaries between Sassanid government and the public, but also played the same role during the Islamic period as a factor that facilitated the situation for Arabs to conquer and rule Iran. According to Ferdowsi and other Islamic historians, after the decay of the Sassanids, ‘dehqans’ became the narrators of national tales and epics of the Iranian kings and mythical heroes. After Islam, the conquerors let ‘dehqans’ administer local affairs and act as actual rulers of early Islamic governments due to their experience and expertise in local administration and their acquaintance with the public and the farmers.