The Encyclopaedia Isfahanica

The Encyclopaedia Isfahanica (EIs) is a well-structured repository of accurate information and cohesive knowledge regarding the history, culture, and civilization of Isfahan. The guiding principles of this repository are as follows:

1. 
   Isfahanica adheres to academic standards and writing criteria, utilizing authentic sources and a critical perspective on them. Authors are required to provide references for their claims at the end of each claim or paragraph in the form of endnotes (not footnotes). Articles included in Isfahanica from other encyclopedias do not require citations or a list of references. Readers can refer for that to the original article access. Every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate and presented in simple language. In Isfahanica, repetition of content or the use of synonymous terms under different entries is not allowed. The language of the articles is to write straightforward, free from complexity, and avoids pedantic or archaic expressions.
2. 
   Isfahanica avoids partisan, political, religious, or ideological bias and prejudiced judgment. The use of exaggerated praise or hyperbole regarding individuals, topics, and the culture of Isfahan has no place in this encyclopaedia. In accordance with international academic conventions, titles such as Dr., Hujjat al-Eslam, Ayatullah, and similar titles are not used for individuals, unless such a title is widely recognized and used as a surname, such as in the cases of Sheikh Ansārī and Imam Khomeini.
3. 
   The intended audience of Isfahanica is assumed to be educated individuals who are not specialists in the field. Through the process of compiling the Encyclopaedia Isfahanica, an academic institution beyond the educational and research one in the religious seminaries and secular universities will be established. This goal will be achieved by employing the best researchers, both Iranian and non-Iranian, who specialize in the study of Isfahan.
4. 
   It is expected to historians of ideas that do not refer to metaphysical components that are beyond investigation, such as divine assistance or the will of God, in the emergence of thought, phenomena, or things (three distinct entities), whether they believe in them or not. The historian’s task is to present objective, natural components which have any role, not to engage in theological duties. This approach has a precedent in the works of early Muslim historians, such as when Muhammad ebn Jarīr al-Ṭabarī in Tārīkh al-Rusul wa al-Mulūk or Muhammad ebn ‘Abdul-Karīm al-Shahrestānī in Al-Melal wa al-Neḥal discuss the events or beliefs of particular groups, focusing on the historical and social contexts of their emergence. It is rarely, if ever, seen that they would say, for example, “God willed the Muʽtazilites to be removed from the political scene.”
5. 
   The scope of information in Isfahanica is as follows:
   – Historically speaking: Isfahan before and after the advent of Islam.
   – Geographically speaking: The boundaries recognized in historical geography texts under the term “Isfahan/Isbahān/Sepāhān and Jey.” The term “region” (eqlīm) is used in order to avoid limiting the scope to modern provincial divisions.

– Culturally speaking: All branches of culture among the people who have lived in this region, from any religion (limited to those officially recognized in the Constitution), beliefs, ethnicities, and artistic tastes.

– Civically speaking: All valuable buildings and architectures registered in the National Library and Archives of Iran.

6. In the Encyclopaedia Isfahanica, each of the following will be examined through the lens of its connection to Isfahan: a) Topic, b) Concept, c) Persons, d) Tangible and intangible works, e) Geographical locations. For example, articles will be written about those musical figures who have a strong connection to Isfahan. Another example is the biography of each poet, jurist, philosopher, politician, artist, architect, religious scholar, physician, engineer, and entrepreneur, focusing on their impact on Isfahan and their contributions to the city, rather than in absolute terms. The criteria for selecting individuals are detailed in Section 13
7. The entries in the encyclopaedia are ordered letter by letter, rather than word by word. In this system, spaces between words are ignored and letters are compared continuously, as though the words are joined. For example, Shāh-cherāgh precedes Shāhzāde Aḥmad. The letter “آ” precedes “alef” (ا) in alphabetical order. Additionally, the prefix “al-” in personal names and book titles is ignored in sorting. In Arabic entries, words beginning with a hamzah (أ، إ، ئ، ؤ) are sorted according to the base letter: ا, ا, ی, and و, respectively. The tāʾ marbūṭah (ة) is treated as the letter “t,” as in Theqatu’l-EIslām preceding Thaqafī. However, in words where the tāʾ marbūṭah is pronounced as “h,” such as dāyereh (circle), resāleh (treatise), and āyeh (verse), the standard used is based on the Persian spelling and pronunciation.
8. Whenever there is uncertainty regarding the more accurate or appropriate name of a person, neighborhood, building, or street, the more well-known, older, and commonly used form in sources and public memory is selected, even if it is technically less accurate. For example: Sheikh Bahāʾī (main entry) is more famous than ʿĀmilī, Bahāʾ al-Dīn (cross-reference entry); Kuhneh/ʿAtīq Square (main entry) is more well-known than Imam ʿAlī Square (cross-reference entry); Alliance School (main entry) and Shahīd Ḥalabiyān School (cross-reference entry); Jāmeʿ Mosque (main entry) and Mosque of Jāmeʿ (cross-reference entry), unlike Sheikh Lutfullāh Mosque (main entry) and Mosque of Sheikh Lutfullāh (cross-reference entry). Cross-references to entries are indicated by the symbol »←.«. Titles that are removed from the article commissioning process for any reason will remain marked as “deleted” in the internal title database, to preserve the editorial and historical record of the encyclopaedia. These deleted entries will not be displayed on the public website.
9. Entries with multiple aspects are presented in the form of main and sub-entries. For example, the main entry Kalīmīyān (Jews) includes several sub-entries: Customs and Traditions, Dialect and Language, and Demography. Sub-entries may have multiple authors.
10. Individuals whose title or surname includes the term “Isfahan” or “Isfahanī” will have their more widely recognized title or name designated as the main entry, while the “Isfahanī” title will be treated as a cross-reference entry. This approach is intended to avoid excessive clustering of entries under the letter “I” or the main entry for “Isfahan.” For example: Āqā Najafī, Family (main entry) and Isfahanī, Family (cross-reference entry); Bayāt-e Isfahan, Musical Mode and Sequence (main entry) and Isfahan, Musical Mode and Sequence (cross-reference entry).
11. Numbers in compound titles are placed after letters, such as Treaty of 1917. However, numbers spelled out in words retain their original form, such as Panj Ramaḍān,( Fifth of Ramaḍān, Event) Event and Shānzdah Ādhar, Bridge (Sixteenth of Āzar, Bridge).
12. If an article refers to a topic, person, or work that already has or will have a dedicated entry in Isfahanica, a star will appear next to it, and the entry will be highlighted and clickable. This allows users to easily access the full article. This approach helps avoid unnecessary repetition of content. For widely known topics or figures, stars and highlights are used only when necessary.
13. The criteria for selecting notable figures are divided into three levels:

• Level 1 (80–100 points)
• Level 2 (70–80 points)
• Level 3 (60–70 points)

Selection criteria:

• Birth in or strong association with Isfahan (20 points)
• Having a significant work (10 points)
• Work related to Isfahan (20 points)
• Cultural, social, or civilizational impact on the city and its people, during lifetime or after (30 points)
• Reputable, religious, and respected by social norms (20 points)

Figures scoring under 50 will not receive an article. Those with 50–60 will be subject to further review. Priority during the first three years is given to Level 1 figures. Word limits: Level 1 – 3000 words, Level 2 – 1500 words, Level 3 – 1000 words.

1. A brief biography of senior martyrs of the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988) will be included under relevant operations or military divisions. Other war martyrs are only mentioned. Prominent martyrs who served Islam and Iran may receive a full article.
2. In the various academic fields related to Isfahan, books and journals are categorized into two levels, each qualifying for an independent article in the encyclopaedia:

• Level One includes works that are distinguished in one or more respects among similar books and journals. The selection criteria include: the antiquity of the work; the scholarly attention it has received (evidenced by citations, marginal notes, and commentaries); its former use as a textbook; translation into another language; or its role in transmitting knowledge (or multiple domains of knowledge) about Isfahan.
• Level Two consists of influential works whose titles have become more well-known than the names of their authors or editors. Often, the author is unknown, or there is disagreement regarding authorship.

Other books, booklets, and journals will only be introduced under individual biographical entries and will not be assigned independent articles.

15. Each major industry in Isfahan will be assigned a dedicated article. The editorial board of the encyclopaedia will actively seek both informational and financial support from these entities and expects them to contribute an annual subscription fee following the publication of their entry. Non-major industries—including service centers, recreational facilities, and hotels—may also qualify for an entry if they meet both of the following conditions: (1) at least thirty years of continuous and effective operation, and (2) the creation of at least fifty jobs. In such cases, the cost of authorship and annual subscription must be covered by the respective institution. The maximum word count for entries on major industries is 2,000 words; for non-major industries, it is 1,000 words.
16. If a service or recreational center has created employment for at least 100 individuals, the thirty-year requirement will be reduced to five years.
17. Dedicated articles will be written for all major seminaries and major universities. The editorial board will make efforts to obtain both informational and financial support from these institutions.
    Non-major seminaries and universities, as well as cultural institutions and organizations—whether religious or secular—will also be eligible for entries, provided they have maintained at least thirty years of continuous and effective activity. The maximum word count is 3,000 words for entries on major seminaries and universities, and 1,500 words for non-major institutions.
18. The articles of the Encyclopaedia Isfahanica will initially be published exclusively online. In a subsequent phase—at an undetermined future date—they may also be released in printed form, if deemed necessary. The official website of the encyclopaedia is available in Persian, Arabic, and English at: www.isfahanica.org. For domestic promotional purposes, the alternative domain www.isfahanicaa.ir may also be used.

18. The responsibility for managing the website’s content rests with the Scientific Deputy, while technical operations are overseen by the Executive Deputy. All institutions and contributors involved in article preparation must comply with the structure, content requirements, and writing methodology determined by the Scientific Deputy. Ensuring the academic and international quality standards of the encyclopaedia is entrusted to the Scientific Deputy and the heads of academic departments under their supervision.
19. The encyclopaedia does not include biographical entries on contemporary or living individuals, except within the context of entries on industries, seminaries, universities, and vocational or professional institutions. In such entries, only a very brief biography—no more than 400 words—of the current and former directors will be provided.
20. Isfahanica incorporates revised or condensed articles from previous encyclopedias, with attribution. These adaptations are marked “Revised and Rewritten in Isfahanica.” Referenced encyclopedias include:

• Encyclopaedia of the World of Islam
• The Great Islamic Encyclopaedia
• Encyclopaedia of Takht-e-Fūlād
• Encyclopaedia Iranica
• Three editions of the Encyclopaedia of Islam (Leiden)
• Encyclopaedia of Persian Language and Literature
• Encyclopaedia of Iranian Folk Culture
• Encyclopaedia of Art

21. All intellectual property rights belong to the Isfahanica institution. Use of content is permitted only with proper citation.