The atash of victory

The eminent scholar, the late Dastur Cursetji Erachji Pavri, in his excellent book Iranian Studies, emphasizes that Ardeshir Babakan was the first founder of these Kiblas. He states that from the Pahlavi work Karnameh-Ardeshir Babakan, as well as from other Pahalavi works, we gather the following details:

"Firstly, to commemorate his victory over Ardvan, the king of Parthia, Ardeshir founded the city of Bukhte (Bakhte) Ardeshir and built therein 10 atash behrams.

"Secondly, he also built 10 atash behrams in the city of Valash (Valkhash) Shapur, which he also founded.

"Thirdly, after his victories over different countries when he returned to Pars, he founded the city of Khureshe Ardeshir, and built a number of atash behrams therein.

"Fourthly, according to an old manuscript, Ardeshir brought about a settlement in Kobalya and established seven atash behrams therein.”

It seems that Ardeshir Babakan had built these atash behrams to commemorate his victory over different countries. Even the descendants of Ardeshir are known to have founded atash behrams in conquered countries.

For the present day Zoroastrians, it may be difficult to comprehend that so many atash behrams were in existence in ancient Iran. Since Behram Yazad stands for victory, and since the intention of the rulers was to commemorate victories in battles or other political or major victories, the word atash behram seems to have been preferred over dar-e-meher, atash adarian or atash dadgah.

HORMAZDIAR J. M. DESAI