Introduction of Shushtar
Madam Jane Dieulafoy introduced the amazing and astonishing Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System as the largest industrial complex of the world before the Industrial Revolution, and this monument is so immense that it is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the wonders of the ancient world, made by the genius architects and designers thousands of years ago. They were intelligent engineers with lots of information in hydraulic industrial systems and water resource management, who transferred water from Karun River to Shushtar and used it for agriculture, drinking and daily use, and industries.
Watermills in Band-e Mizan - Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
This system including waterfalls, mills, bridges, dams, and channels and tunnels, was used for transferring the water to the different parts of the city equally, preventing from Karun river flood, and even cooling the houses by transferring water to the cellars in the houses and using the water for spinning the watermills. The materials used for building the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System were granite and lime mortar, and carved stones.
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
The History of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
As a result of being close to the Tchogha Zanbil Ziggurat and Susa town which was one of the capitals of the legendary Achaemenid Empire, the city of Shushtar was an important region in the ancient land of Khuzestan. The basic construction of this genius system was built during the kingdom of Darius the Great inspired by the irrigation system of the Elamites invented in the 13th century BC, and it watered the farms of the region for about 700 years. The main changes and advancements were done during the Sassanid Empire by Ardeshir I or Shapur I who were influenced by the Roman engineers, however, it has been changed and renovated during the next periods like the Qajar Dynasty. This complex was mentioned as a masterpiece of architecture and engineering by many historians and voyagers like Ibn Battuta.
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
Different parts of the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
This complex includes 13 different constructions which are all located in Shushtar city and work as a unified system.
Band- e Mizan (Mizan Dam)
Also known as Qeisar Band, Shapouri Ban, etc., the Mizan Dam was built during the 3rd century BC, by the Roman soldiers ordered by king Shapour I. This Dam which is 523 meters long and 25 meters thick at some points, is made to divide the Karun River into two branches named Shatit and Gargar.
Band-e Mizan - Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
Kolah Farangi Tower
This tower was built for controlling the level of water and observing the Mizan Dam and the whole project. This tower was located on the northern side of the city and is an octagonal building. Each side of the building is 1.10 to 1.28 meters and it is currently 7-meters-high. Today, you can visit this tower in one of the city’s main squares.
Gargar Canal
Gargar canal passes from the north of Shushtar. This hand-carved canal was dug by the order of Ardeshir I as the main branch of Karun River to provide water to the canals and tunnels of the hydraulic system. The riverbed was covered with stones and metal brackets. After passing by the city, Gargar Canal joins the Shatit Canal and pours to the Karun River again.
Gargar Bridge-Dam
This bridge is located above the complex of waterfalls and watermills and blocks the water flowing in the Gargar canal and keeps it at a fixed level. The water is then divided into three main canals and some other canals which provide water for spinning the 32 watermills of the complex. Then, this water pours down as beautiful waterfalls. The collection of the waterfalls and the watermills is the most important and the most beautiful part of the Shushtar Hydraulic system.
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
Salalsal Castle
This was an immense fortress with different parts including courtyards, stables, caserns, towers, gates, fences, and ditches. The Salasal Castle is believed to be built during the Achaemenid Era on top of a hill as a military fortress and a control tower for checking the water level. However, what is left from this monument today is some underground rooms and tunnels, the remains are so amazing.
Dariun Canal
Dariun was a 33-kilometers-long canal that was branched off the Shatit Canal and was used for watering a vast area named Mian- Ab. This canal passed below the stone-made basement of the Salasal Castle and after passing the southwest of the city joined the Lashkar Dam. Some historians believe that Dariun Canal was dug during the Achaemenid Era and its name was derived from the name of Darius the Great. Also, the remains of some simple buildings by the canal show that this place has resided during the Parthian Era.
