Dawlat-i ʻAlīyah-i Īrān, Rūznāmah-i (Qājār) – Collection of 7 years including 117 issues

The "Rūznāmah-i Dawlat-i ʻAliyyah-i Īrān" is the first illustrated newspaper published in Iran, which began its circulation using lithographic printing from the year 1277 AH. This newspaper was essentially a modified version of the well-known "Vaqāyiʻ Ittiṭāqīyah" and, after adding illustrations and making some changes, it was given a new title.

The "Rūznāmah-i Dawlat-i ʻAliyyah-i Īrān," which began publication under issue number 472 on Thursday, 19 Ṣafar al-Muẓaffar 1277 AH in Dār al-Khilāfah Tehran, was the fourth name for the newspaper that had previously been published under the names "Rūznāmah-i Akhbār-i Dār al-Khilāfah Tehran," "Rūznāmah-i Vaqāyiʻ Ittiṭāqīyah," and "Rūznāmah-i Vaqāyiʻ," with a total of 471 issues published. This name change occurred because, in that year, the printing affairs of the government newspapers were entrusted by Nāṣir al-Dīn Shāh to "Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Ghaffārī Naqqāsh Kāshānī," titled "Ṣanīʻ al-Mulk." The reason for appointing Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan to this position, as mentioned in the same newspaper, was his skill and capability in the art of painting.

The newspaper was printed in lithograph and usually consisted of four to seven pages in a large ministerial format. The newspaper's letterhead featured the official state emblem, which was the lion and sun, with the lion holding a sword. One of the characteristics of the "Rūznāmah-i Dawlat-i ʻAliyyah-i Īrān" is the beautiful illustrations of noblemen and dignitaries, along with the titles of important topics on each page printed in the margin in Nastaʻlīq script, which effectively served as an index of the contents of each issue. The significance of these illustrations, apart from their artistic aspect, lies in the fact that they depict the attire of the time, with traditional robes and tall hats, providing valuable insight into the clothing styles of the era. This is considered the first illustrated Persian newspaper.

Titles and news items such as domestic news of the protected states, foreign news, photography, weather conditions, miscellaneous reports, and news from the domain of Iʻtiẓād al-Salṭanah’s administration can be found in this newspaper. In the third issue of the seventh year, there is a piece that indicates changes in the press affairs. Thus, the groundwork for renaming the newspaper was laid, and from issue 593 (Thursday, 3 Jumādā al-Awwal 1283 AH) to issue 638 (Thursday, 3 Shawwāl 1286 AH), the publication was called "Rūznāmah-i Dawlatī." The main commonality between what is known as "Rūznāmah-i Vaqāyiʻ Ittiṭāqīyah" and the period when it was titled "Rūznāmah-i Dawlat-i ʻAliyyah-i Īrān" is in addition to many characteristics, the consecutive numbering of "Rūznāmah-i Dawlat-i ʻAliyyah-i Īrān" that continues from the serial number of "Rūznāmah-i Vaqāyiʻ Ittiṭāqīyah."

The final year of the newspaper, which was initially titled "Rūznāmah-i Dawlat-i ʻAliyyah-i Īrān," later renamed "Rūznāmah-i Dawlatī," and then reverted to "Rūznāmah-i Dawlat-i ʻAliyyah-i Īrān," is the tenth year, starting with issue 642 (Thursday, 16 Rabīʻ al-Awwal 1287 AH) and concluding with issue 650 (Thursday, 10 Dhū al-Ḥijjah 1287 AH).

Available issues:

• 1277 H.Q. (22 Issues: No. 472-493)
• 1278 H.Q. (27 Issues: No. 494-524)
• 1279 H.Q. (20 Issues: No. 525-544)
• 1280 H.Q. (15 Issues: No. 545-559)
• 1281 H.Q. (12 Issues: No. 560-571)
• 1282 H.Q. (16 Issues: No. 572-587)
• 1283 H.Q. (5 Issues: No. 588-592)