Challenges facing the maintenance and restoration of the Safavid constructed roads during the time of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar

This paper discusses the importance of Mazandaran roads during the times of the Safavids and Qajarids. It then explores the reasons behind the failure of the Qajarid government in keeping the roads in the region in good condition. Data was extracted from the contract document for repair and maintenance of a road in the region with Seif al-Mulk. Shah Abbas I made state-of- art roads in Mazandaran which increasingly contributed to the economic flourishing of the region. The repair and maintenance of these roads during the time of Naser al-Din Shah, however, was not successful due to the lack of modern road-building equipment, lack of specialist knowledge, corrupt bureaucracy and the Russian Imperialist policy for expanding its influence in the region.