Sarhang (rank)

Sarhang is a title and/or military rank of Iranian origin, a compound of sar ("head, chief") and hang ("an army division"). In modern usage in Iran, sarhang (Persian: سرهنگ‎) is the equivalent of colonel. [1]

Sarhang
سرهنگ
Army and Air force insignia
Air Defense and Revolutionary Guard insignia
Country Iran
Service branch Ground Forces
Air Force
Air Defense Force
Revolutionary Guard
Disciplinary Force
NATO rankOF-5

History

The origin of the title sarhang may date back at least to the Parthian period. In the Sasanian period, it was a rank in the hierarchy of the aswaran cavalry force. In the medieval period, sarhang has been defined as "a heroic man, a brave fighter, a night-guard". According to Ibn al-Balkhi, the rank was immediately below spāhbadh. In Tārikh-i Bukhārā, the title is ranked below amīr. In early Islamic period, the title appears together with ayyār, and a related title, sarhang-shumārān, seems to belong to the leaders of the hierarchy of ayyārān. According to Bosworth, sarhangs were separate from ayyars, and were probably fighters with outstanding leadership or fighting qualities that were recruited from the latter.[1]

Historical figures recorded as bearing this title include:

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References
  1. Zakeri, Mohsen (1995). Sasanid Soldiers in Early Muslim Society: The Origins of 'Ayyārān and Futuwwa. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 82–83. ISBN 978-3-447-03652-8.
  2. نامه حشم تگیناباد in Tarikh-i Bayhaqi
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