Traditional Iranian Martial Arts (Varzesh-e Pahlavani)

Schools of Pahlavani

Pahlavan Haj Mostafa Toosi of Tehran representing the Schools of Pahlavani

The Pahlavani tradition promotes ethical and moral values and the disciples of this school are to observe certain codes. Some of these are humbleness, generosity, virtuosity, charity and mercy. Also, respect for law, humanitarian conduct, bravery, and safeguarding of national traditions are important aspects of this brotherhood. Traditionally a Pahlavan and his followers used to protect neighborhoods and eventually villages or cities. Each school of Pahlavani has its own unique characteristics based on the culture of a specific region of Iran. They all promote similar ethical and moral values. However, they differ slightly in wrestling techniques and exercises.

The major schools of Pahlevani in Iran are:

• Tehran/Rey
• Khorasan
• Yazd
• Qum
• Mazandaran
• Western Regions

In addition to the above major schools of Pahlevani, the city of Kashan had many Pahlavans. Some of these are Pahlavan Faraj Kashani, Pahlavan Haj Agha Mirkashi, Pahlavan Kazem Dabagh Kashani, Pahlavan Haj Hashem Maghami Kashani, Pahlavan Ahmad Maghami, and Pahlavan Reza Maghami.

As was mentioned in the introduction, the word Pahlavan has been misused throughout the history of Iran. In general, what is referred to as a Pahlavan is one of the following:

• Pahlavans of the Shah's courts/palaces. Many of these were the official Pahlavans of Iran.
• Master wrestlers/strong men known as Pahlavan-e Zoorgar.
• Our modern wrestlers, many of them World and Olympic Champions as well as the winners of the Pahlavani Armlet (the national Pahlavan of Iran).
• Finally, Pahlavans such as Pahlevan-e Bozorg Razaz, Pahlavan-e Bozorg Pouriyay-e Vali, Pahlavan Boluorfroush, Pahlavan Toosi, and Jahan Pahlavan Thakhti. These Pahlavans were masters of the Pahlavani tradition. They observed all the moral and ethical values which were mentioned earlier, and at the same time they were probably among the best wrestlers in the world.

  This group of Pahlavans is considered by many historians to include true Pahlavans who represent this rich tradition. There are probably about twenty Pahlavans in the history of Iran that fall into this special category.

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