Introduction to Shahanshahi Calendar

The Shahanshahi (Imperial) Calendar is a solar calendar that begins from the founding of the Persian Empire by Cyrus the Great in 559 BCE. Unlike the Jalali calendar which starts from the Islamic Hijra, the Shahanshahi calendar connects Iranians to their pre-Islamic heritage and the rich history of the Persian civilization.

The calendar was officially adopted in 1976 under Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi as part of efforts to reconnect Iran with its ancient heritage. Though it was only used officially for a brief period, it remains an important symbol of Iranian identity and continuous civilization.

Cyrus II of Persia, commonly known as Cyrus the Great, founded the Achaemenid Empire in 559 BCE. He is considered the father of the Iranian nation and one of the most influential figures in world history.

Cyrus was renowned for his respect for the customs and religions of the lands he conquered. The Cyrus Cylinder, discovered in 1879, is often considered the world's first charter of human rights. It describes how Cyrus allowed displaced peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.

The Shahanshahi calendar honors this moment as the beginning of Iranian imperial history, connecting modern Iranians to over 2,500 years of continuous civilization.

The Shahanshahi calendar follows the same structure as the Jalali (Solar Hijri) calendar, with 12 months and the same month names. The only difference is the year numbering.

**Months:** - First six months: 31 days each (Farvardin to Shahrivar) - Next five months: 30 days each (Mehr to Bahman) - Last month (Esfand): 29 days (30 in leap years)

**Conversion:** To convert from Jalali to Shahanshahi, add 1180 years. To convert from Shahanshahi to Jalali, subtract 1180 years.

Example: Jalali year 1404 = Shahanshahi year 2584

The calendar maintains the Persian New Year (Nowruz) at the spring equinox, typically March 20-21 in the Gregorian calendar.