Encyclopaedia Iranica

The Encyclopaedia Iranica was established by Ehsan Yarshater, a prominent Iranian scholar and historian. He originally envisioned the project as a comprehensive reference work dedicated to documenting all aspects of Iranian civilization. Columbia University hosted the center responsible for the project's creation for many years.

The encyclopedia provides highly detailed, scholarly information on Iranian history, archaeology, anthropology, geography, art, and literature. It goes beyond just modern Iran, covering the broader Iranian cultural sphere, including ancient Persian empires and modern regional dialects. It is primarily used by researchers and university students looking for peer-reviewed historical facts.

Yes, the Encyclopaedia Iranica operates primarily as a comprehensive, digital online reference work that is completely free to access. The project transitioned from traditional printed volumes to an online format to make its extensive research globally available. The website is continuously updated with new articles and peer-reviewed entries.

The Encyclopaedia Iranica is universally considered the most reliable, authoritative scholarly reference work for Iranian studies in the English language. Every single entry is written by an expert in the field and undergoes a rigorous peer-review process before publication. Because of this strict academic standard, it is heavily cited in university textbooks and historical journals worldwide.