From Sweden to Persia: An overview to Sven Hedin's Journeys to Iran

Sven Hedin which was born on Feb. 19, 1865, in Stockholm to professional, middle-classparents, was a Swedish explorer and geographer whose investigations in Iran, Tibet andwestern China make him one of the most eminent explorers of Asia. He received hisundergraduate education at Uppsala and in 1881-1883 studied at Berlin and HalleSven Hedin spent almost twenty years of his life on Asian soil. Originally, he aspired to followthe path of other late nineteenth century Swedish explorers and engage in polar research. Butan offer to serve as private teacher to the son of a man of the Nobel family in Baku directed hisattention to Asia. After completing his work he embarked on a ride through Persia, whichtaught him how to endure both physical and economic hardship en route.Hedin’s Persian exploits drew him further into Asia, acquainting him with its people andhistory. The book he wrote upon his return set the tone for a string of travelogues, which wereto make him into one of the best-read explorers of his day. His prolific writing and extendedlecture tours provided him with the financial means to maintain his family and also to financefuture expeditions. He held no public or academic position.Hedin became a member of several academies, and few if any comparable persons havereceived so many international decorations and honors. Between 1893 and 1932 Hedin led fivemajor expeditions and several lesser ones. On Hedin's greatest journey (1906-1908) he crossedPersia and Afghanistan, entered Tibet, and identified the true sources of the Indus, Sutlej, andBrahmaputra rivers. After Hedin's last big expedition, in 1934 he ceased traveling in order towrite.Hedin's style of travel was to rely on small parties assisted by well-chosen natives. He had greatphysical strength and moral courage, with the originality to recognize great problems and theingenuity to solve them. He never married, and he died in Stockholm on Nov. 26, 1952.

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Persia ، Sweden ، Sven Hedin ، Iran