The Dynamics of Migration from Sistan during the Second Pahlavi Period: Focus on Water Shortage and Drought

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of History, Research Institute of Imam Khomeini and Islamic Revolution, Tehran, I. R. Iran

2 PhD Student in History of Islamic Revolution ,Research Institute of Imam Khomeini and Islamic Revolution, Tehran, Iran

3 PhD student in History of Islamic Revolution ,Research Institute of Imam Khomeini and Islamic Revolution, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Purpose: The primary aim of this research is to study and understand the social and historical dimensions of migrations caused by water scarcity and drought in the Sistan region during the Second Pahlavi period, according to the National Archives and Library of Iran documents. This study attempts to seek answers to the following questions: How did the water scarcity crisis in Sistan during the Second Pahlavi regime transform from a natural phenomenon to a social phenomenon and trigger mass migration? What were the contributions of state policies, local institutions, and popular actions in this process? What are the mechanisms that resulted in failure in managing this crisis?
Method and Research Design: This research has a descriptive-analytical and historical method, relying principally on documents at the National Archives and Library of Iran. Library resources pertaining to the subject matter were also utilized.
Findings and Conclusions: During the Second Pahlavi era, Sistan faced a water shortage crisis because of the Helmand River diversion by Afghanistan and the ineffectiveness of government policies. People blamed the government, seeing the water cuts as the result of official weakness and inaction. The reasons were adverse climatic conditions, compulsory labor, loss of crop-growing seasons, long-term interruption in the cultivation of crops because of water shortages, livelihood difficulties caused by drought and lack of alternative farm activities, disagreements among national and local government leaders, shortage of money, inability to execute development plans meant to expand irrigation systems, and disagreements among the inhabitants themselves. These parameters cumulatively discouraged the development process in Sistan and caused migration from this area.

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History

  • Receive Date: 31 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 07 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 02 February 2025

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