Zand

Zand refers primarily to the Zand dynasty, a Persian dynasty that ruled portions of Iran from 1751 to 1794. It was established by Karim Khan Zand, a tribal chieftain of the Zand faction of the Lur people, who rose to power in the aftermath of the collapse of Nader Shah's empire and the ensuing civil wars.

Karim Khan moved the capital to Shiraz and pursued a policy of restoration and relative religious tolerance, curbing the power of provincial governors and reviving agriculture and commerce. The era is noted for architectural projects such as the Arg of Karim Khan in Shiraz and for a period of internal stability after years of upheaval.

After Karim Khan's death, the Zand realm was contested by rival branches of the family and external pressures; the last ruler Lotf Ali Khan Zand was defeated by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, who established the Qajar dynasty and unified Iran in 1794.

Beyond the dynasty, the name Zand remains a Persian surname and a reference to the Zand tribe; it also appears in various place names and historical references in Iran.