Jag in Bashgard

Jag, scientifically known as Dalbergja sissoo and Shisham_Persian name_, and local names Sassam, Jag, Jagh and Ciso, is a medium-sized tree that often grows in the highlands and along the mountain rivers. Habitats of this plant species have been reported in India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and in southeastern Iran in the Makran Heights, Jabal_Barez and Bashkard mountain ranges. Bashkard mountainous areas, the research area of this article; including Kart Zani, Pish Jā, Grish-e Jāsbi, Parkhāsh, Ashnut, Jagdān and Angoharan / Goharan have been reported as the natural habitats for Jag. More specifically, Gi majg _ 1600 AMSL_ and Pisken _ 995 AMSL_ are the habitats that have been reported as a result of local visits (Emtehani and Jazireh-ee 1381:58). The author has also observed this tree and its various uses in the heights of Dar-gwan village, Dar shahr city, Kāhken and Ahviri mountain range. In linguistic and archeological studies, there is some evidence that firms this tree’s historical uses: the name of this tree and its wood uses are mentioned in Assyrian and ancient Persian texts, and also some parts of it have been found in archeological excavations in Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Mehrgarh, Tell Abraq and Shahr-e Sukhteh. Most importantly, as the well-known Russian Iranologist and linguist Ilya Gershevitch acknowledges, Darius’s inscription mentions the use of Jag wood in the construction of Apadana palaces of Susa. As a result of a research trip (to record Bashkardi language) to ​​fourteen Bashkard villages and Dar-gwan village, and observing Jag tree and the doors made of its wood, Gershevitch suggests this hypothesis that these woods may have been transported from Bashkard to the sea through Minab River, and then they were taken to Susa. During archeological research in the area, the author found a vessel made of Jag wood in a historical-Islamic area at a mountain hillside near Jagin Dam. Then with locals’ guidance, He saw the Jag tree, near the village of Shun and Sit-e-pirow River at Dar-gwan village heights. Then, searching for the artists, craftsmen and professionals in this field, he found people with the knowledge of the right quality and having the skill of cutting and shaping the trunk and branches of this tree with simple and basic tools in Dar-gwan and kulegh villages. This article - following valuable reports and researches by Ilya Gershevitch is an attempt to introduce this valuable plant species to the archeological community, a brief mention of historical sources that include the use of Jag, evidence of its use in historical and Islamic times in Bashkard, the possibility of communication between Susa and Bashkard and Jag wood transfer from Bashkard to Susa in order to construct Darius’ palaces. Also, hope that it will be the beginning of further professional studies in this field with the help of other sciences such as ancient languages, ancient botany, ancient climatology and archeology.