Originally residing north of the Aras River, the Qajars gained prominence due to their support of the Safavid court. Shah Abbas I later moved some Qajars to the western regions of Astarabad and the Gorgan Plain to serve as a defensive barrier against Turkmen and Uzbek incursions. The Qajar tribe eventually split into two branches in Astarabad: the Yukharibash (Upper Branch) settled above the Gorgan River, while the Ashaghi Bash (Lower Branch) settled below it. The Qajar dynasty was founded by the Ashaghi Bash branch.
The Origin of the Name “Qajar”
The name “Qajar” is believed to have originated from one of Genghis Khan’s Mongol commanders, Qajar Noyan. The term “Qajar” is an Arabicized version of the Turkish word “Qachar” , meaning “runner” or “one who runs well.” In Turkish, “Qachar” signifies swiftness, similar to the word ,” which shares the same linguistic root. Thus, “Qajar Noyan” can be interpreted as “Noyan who runs fast.” The title “Noyan” itself is of Mongol origin.
Another theory suggests that “Qajar” (along with similar words like “Khazar” and “Hazara”) originates from the ancient Eurasian root “Qasar,” which is related to words like “Qaiser,” “Caesar,” “Kaiser,” and “Khosrow.” This linguistic connection indicates a shared heritage among various Eurasian ruling elites.