Historical Background of Arak County
The historical background of Arak dates back to the Median and Sasanian periods, and later, during the Seleucid era, in Greater Media (the region between Hamedan and Rey), there was a city called Koreh near present-day Arak. At present, Koreh Rud village exists on the southern side of the current city of Arak, but Arak itself is a newly founded city whose establishment was influenced by political and economic factors.
Political factor: In the early Qajar era, in the Iraq district, there was always insecurity and local disputes, especially the occasional raids of neighboring tribes and nomads, which sometimes even disrupted the security of central Iran. The absence of a permanent military garrison, the distance from the seat of government, and the lack of obedience to the rulers of neighboring cities led the central army to be dispatched to this region to restore peace and security. During the reign of Fath-Ali Shah, an army called the Iraq Army was formed, and Fath-Ali Shah entrusted its command to Yousef Khan Gorji. After the Shah's approval, he wanted to build a military fortress for the center of the Iraq-e Ajam army, and the current location of the city (Arak) was approved due to its geographical and military position. Also, since at that time conscription was not in its modern form and, when needed, villagers were used as volunteers, militia, and mercenaries, the central Iraq region also seemed suitable in this respect. Beyond the above issues, a central base was necessary for administering the region in terms of administration and government staff, so due to these matters a fortress or military citadel called Sultanabad was built, then named Sultanabad Fortress, then Sultan, then Iraq, and finally Arak.
Economic factor: Because the vast areas of the Iraq region were among the populous and fertile regions of Iran, villagers in the area had to travel about 100 kilometers on foot or with pack animals to exchange their goods so they could bring their agricultural or industrial products to the markets of neighboring cities. Therefore, it was necessary to establish a city in the center of this vast area to serve as a place for exchanging goods and agricultural products of villagers. Another issue was tax collection, especially in the carpet industry; at that time, about 30 foreign companies were active in this city in carpet exports shortly after its construction, and later customs was also established in the city to facilitate exports, and the city expanded.
The foundation of Arak city dates back to the Qajar period and the reign of Fath-Ali Shah. In the early Qajar era, the size and population of the Iraq-e Ajam region constantly caused insecurity and local disputes, and this created political and economic problems for the central government. During the reign of Fath-Ali Shah, an army called Iraq and under the command of Yousef Khan Gorji was formed, and Fath-Ali Shah considered recruiting soldiers from the people of this region. Yousef Khan Gorji requested that the Shah build a military fortress for the army's center. For this reason, the initial construction of the city began in the form of a fortress called Sultanabad and was completed in 1223 SH (1808 AD). Arak is one of the few cities in Iran that was built according to a plan. Trézé, the French engineer who had come to Iran with General Gardane on behalf of Napoleon, designed Arak in accordance with the city of Nice, France.
The city's importance increased with the completion of the south-to-north national railway of Iran in 1938, during which water and fuel were stored here throughout the World War period. The old city of Arak had four gates; the current bazaar of Arak was the internal communication network of these gates, and the main external roads began from these gates. These gates are:
• Arak National Garden, 1348
• Shahrjerd Gate in the east
• Razan Gate in the north
• Haji Alinaghi Gate in the west
• Qebleh Gate in the south
With the railway passing through Arak and the construction of new streets and passages, the city's development began in the south and southwest. According to the Iranshahr book statistics in 1320 SH, Arak's population was 51,000. From this date onward, Arak, like other cities in the country, developed. In the years of peace and calm, the city's protective walls were removed, and Arak and its original orderly plan expanded without restraint. Arak's transportation position has been one of the most important factors in the city's development in recent years.