Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar: A Life of Wisdom and Resilience
Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar was a dedicated physician, educator, and public servant deeply influenced by Persian literary heritage. He is buried in Tus, Iran
Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar was born in the early 1870s in the small village of Borogen. Named after the celebrated Persian poet Abol Ghassem Ferdowsi, author of Persia's national epic, the Shahnameh, Abol's life was deeply influenced by the moral and symbolic language of this poem. The Shahnameh’s tales of Persia’s pre-Islamic kings became Abol’s inner compass, guiding him towards a life marked by the pursuit of wisdom and service.
Raised by a stepmother after his mother's early death, Abol was sent to the village's traditional school, or maktab, where he learned to read, write, and memorize the Qur'an. At ten, he had to leave school to support his family, working various jobs such as a grocer, shoemaker, peddler, and shopkeeper. Despite these challenges, Abol’s love for literature, particularly the Shahnameh, fueled his desire for knowledge and personal growth.
Journey Towards Knowledge
Abol’s intellectual curiosity led him to study with a Sufi teacher, adopting a disciplined routine of rising early, exercising, and reciting Ferdowsi's tales. His dedication to learning eventually earned him a position as a tutor to the nephews of a Bakhtiari khan, or chieftain, in Shalamzar, located in the mountain valleys of Chahar Mahal.
Service and Legacy
In 1912, at around 37 years old, Abol became a tutor for the children of the Bakhtiari khans. His journey to the Bakhtiari lady's home, where he was initially tasked with caring for a sick child, marked the beginning of a significant chapter in his life. His commitment and care for the child impressed the family, leading to a stable position as a tutor. This opportunity allowed Abol to further his education by meticulously copying letters and improving his writing skills.
Over the years, Abol continued to advance his knowledge and skills, driven by a profound sense of duty and ambition. He eventually moved to Isfahan with his student, gaining further educational opportunities. His dedication to education and self-improvement became a cornerstone of his life’s work.
Education in America
Abol arrived at Ellis Island in New York City in October 1919 with just a few dollars in his pocket. Over the next few years, he worked his way through Columbia and other universities, earning a BA from the University of South Dakota and an MD from Syracuse University. His early training as a traditional Iranian wrestler proved invaluable, as he funded one year of medical school by wrestling in a circus, outlasting a giant wrestler in numerous bouts.
Marriage to Helen Jeffreys
Abol met Helen in New York City at Harlem Hospital in 1927. He took Helen to Central Park and told her Ferdowsi's tale of Zal and Rudabeh, urging her to see beyond his age and recognize the man he was. Helen was moved by his story and his vision of what they could accomplish together in Iran, where medical care for women was almost non-existent. Despite initial resistance and opposition from her family, Helen and Abol were married on October 21, 1927. Helen's mother fainted upon hearing the news, and Helen lost her job at Harlem Hospital because married women were not employed.
Later Life and Marriage to Turan
After Helen, Abol married Turan, with whom he had ten children. In total, Abol had seven children with Helen and ten with Turan. Abol's life was marked by his relentless pursuit of knowledge and his commitment to service, both in Iran and the United States.
Personal Life and Philosophy
Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar's life was not without hardship. The loss of his family to smallpox and typhus left him alone at a young age. Despite these personal tragedies, Abol found solace and purpose in his studies and his role as an educator. His routine of chanting from the Shahnameh and studying by a smoky oil lamp symbolized his unwavering commitment to learning and moral integrity.
Abol’s philosophy was deeply rooted in the idea of earning divine favor through moral behavior, a concept he drew from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh. His dedication to this principle guided his actions and decisions throughout his life, shaping his legacy as a man of wisdom and service.
Final Resting Place
Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar’s final wish was to be buried in Tus, near the tomb of Ferdowsi, whose works had profoundly influenced his life. He expressed a dream of his earth mingling with Ferdowsi’s, symbolically hoping for the birth of a Rostam to save Iran. His daughter, Lailee, honored this wish, ensuring that Abol’s legacy would forever be intertwined with the poetic and cultural heritage he cherished.
Letters and Autobiography
Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar left behind a rich collection of letters and an autobiography, dictating his life’s story and the wisdom he accumulated over the years. These documents provide a detailed account of his journey, struggles, and triumphs, serving as an inspiration for future generations. His daughters Laleh and Shireen and son Jamshid, also contributed to a book about his life.
Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar was a dedicated physician, educator, and public servant deeply influenced by Persian literary heritage. He is buried in Tus, Iran
Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar was born in the early 1870s in the small village of Borogen. Named after the celebrated Persian poet Abol Ghassem Ferdowsi, author of Persia's national epic, the Shahnameh, Abol's life was deeply influenced by the moral and symbolic language of this poem. The Shahnameh’s tales of Persia’s pre-Islamic kings became Abol’s inner compass, guiding him towards a life marked by the pursuit of wisdom and service.
Raised by a stepmother after his mother's early death, Abol was sent to the village's traditional school, or maktab, where he learned to read, write, and memorize the Qur'an. At ten, he had to leave school to support his family, working various jobs such as a grocer, shoemaker, peddler, and shopkeeper. Despite these challenges, Abol’s love for literature, particularly the Shahnameh, fueled his desire for knowledge and personal growth.
Journey Towards Knowledge
Abol’s intellectual curiosity led him to study with a Sufi teacher, adopting a disciplined routine of rising early, exercising, and reciting Ferdowsi's tales. His dedication to learning eventually earned him a position as a tutor to the nephews of a Bakhtiari khan, or chieftain, in Shalamzar, located in the mountain valleys of Chahar Mahal.
Service and Legacy
In 1912, at around 37 years old, Abol became a tutor for the children of the Bakhtiari khans. His journey to the Bakhtiari lady's home, where he was initially tasked with caring for a sick child, marked the beginning of a significant chapter in his life. His commitment and care for the child impressed the family, leading to a stable position as a tutor. This opportunity allowed Abol to further his education by meticulously copying letters and improving his writing skills.
Over the years, Abol continued to advance his knowledge and skills, driven by a profound sense of duty and ambition. He eventually moved to Isfahan with his student, gaining further educational opportunities. His dedication to education and self-improvement became a cornerstone of his life’s work.
Education in America
Abol arrived at Ellis Island in New York City in October 1919 with just a few dollars in his pocket. Over the next few years, he worked his way through Columbia and other universities, earning a BA from the University of South Dakota and an MD from Syracuse University. His early training as a traditional Iranian wrestler proved invaluable, as he funded one year of medical school by wrestling in a circus, outlasting a giant wrestler in numerous bouts.
Marriage to Helen Jeffreys
Abol met Helen in New York City at Harlem Hospital in 1927. He took Helen to Central Park and told her Ferdowsi's tale of Zal and Rudabeh, urging her to see beyond his age and recognize the man he was. Helen was moved by his story and his vision of what they could accomplish together in Iran, where medical care for women was almost non-existent. Despite initial resistance and opposition from her family, Helen and Abol were married on October 21, 1927. Helen's mother fainted upon hearing the news, and Helen lost her job at Harlem Hospital because married women were not employed.
Later Life and Marriage to Turan
After Helen, Abol married Turan, with whom he had ten children. In total, Abol had seven children with Helen and ten with Turan. Abol's life was marked by his relentless pursuit of knowledge and his commitment to service, both in Iran and the United States.
Personal Life and Philosophy
Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar's life was not without hardship. The loss of his family to smallpox and typhus left him alone at a young age. Despite these personal tragedies, Abol found solace and purpose in his studies and his role as an educator. His routine of chanting from the Shahnameh and studying by a smoky oil lamp symbolized his unwavering commitment to learning and moral integrity.
Abol’s philosophy was deeply rooted in the idea of earning divine favor through moral behavior, a concept he drew from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh. His dedication to this principle guided his actions and decisions throughout his life, shaping his legacy as a man of wisdom and service.
Final Resting Place
Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar’s final wish was to be buried in Tus, near the tomb of Ferdowsi, whose works had profoundly influenced his life. He expressed a dream of his earth mingling with Ferdowsi’s, symbolically hoping for the birth of a Rostam to save Iran. His daughter, Lailee, honored this wish, ensuring that Abol’s legacy would forever be intertwined with the poetic and cultural heritage he cherished.
Letters and Autobiography
Abol Ghassem Bakhtiar left behind a rich collection of letters and an autobiography, dictating his life’s story and the wisdom he accumulated over the years. These documents provide a detailed account of his journey, struggles, and triumphs, serving as an inspiration for future generations. His daughters Laleh and Shireen and son Jamshid, also contributed to a book about his life.
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