Factors Influencing the Formation and Decline of Forts and Defensive Fortifications of Jolfa, Khodaafarin and Kalibar Cities from the First Millennium BC to the Qajar period

Throughout history, human beings, depending on the time and place, have taken various measures and defense methods to protect themselves from natural and man-made disasters. Fortresses and military-defensive fortifications are a clear example of this. The form of these fortifications has evolved in accordance with the mental and intellectual development of human beings and in parallel with the development of offensive and defensive weapons. The present study seeks to investigate the factors that have influenced the location, formation and decline of castles and defensive fortifications of the border cities of East Azerbaijan (Julfa, Khodaafarin and Kalibar). The research method in this research is based on a theoretical approach in a descriptive-analytical format and the data are collected by documentary and field methods, then classified and analyzed by library studies in the framework of research questions and hypotheses. The research findings indicate that easy access to water resources and proximity to rivers and springs to supply water needed by castle dwellers and castle dwellers, appropriate height and nobility and mastery of the surrounding environment and easy access to the road. Transportation has had a significant effect on the location and formation of castles in the study area. In these castles, the topography and shape of the earth are used in the best possible way and their plan and pattern of expansion is formed organically. The castles of the study area, like the castles of other regions of Iran, have several functions, of which the military and border function is more prominent along the Aras River.