Esfarayen


Esfarayen is a city and capital of Esfarayen County, North Khorasan Province in Iran. At the 2011 census its population was 60,372 persons in 17,334 families.
The largest ethnic groups of the Esfarayen city are Kurmanjs and Tats.
Esfarayen is one of the focal points for residence of Aryan tribes after entering Iran.

Etymology

According to the medieval Arab geographer Yaqut al-Hamawi, the original name of Esfarayen was Asbarayin, which meant "the shield-bearers".

History

After the Islamic conquest of Persia, Esfarayen enjoyed a period of great prosperity, which came to an end with the fall of the Abbasid caliphate, when it fell victim to attacks and eventual destruction, although it was, eventually, rebuilt.
The city was in a completely ruinous state at the time of the ruler Ebrahim Afshar.

Sport

Esfarayen is home to a Koshti Pahlevani tournament called Bachokheh or Koshti Bachokheh. This tournament is participated in open air.