The cultural area of Birjand over the years has witnessed migration of many peoples into this region. In this vast culture one can easily differentiate among the diverse peoples. For example, documents show that over the ages Sakarti Tribe lived here. Herodotus in the fifth century BC refers to this tribe and writes that they are Eastern people and are residents of the 14 th Satrapy of the Achamedians. During the Sasseainid Dynasty the region of Qahestan was one cities listed with Harat and Naishabur having fertile and productive fields and villages as well as people and courageous warriors. The Central Government could rely on these people and they were a source of strength in the district.

The victory of the cities of Khorasan by the Moslems is dated to 22 LH (641AD) and other sources mention 29 LH (650AD). In those years the rulers of Qohestan were the Chiefs of the Iyatele Tribe that fought Khanaf Ibne Qaiss, the Moslem Commander, and lost. As a result Qohestan was conquered. There after the Abbassid Caliphs ruled this area. However from the rise of Hassan Sabah (ruled from 1090 to 1124 AD) to the Mongol Invasion (started in 1220 AD), the rulers of Qohestan were the Leaders of the Ismaili Seet (who ruled from 1090 to about 1256 AD). The Qohestan Province was politically and economically important. After Alamut it was the most important center of the Assassins. The characteristics of this region, a long distance from the capital, the geographic properties and impenetrateable mountains, were among the important factors that attracted the Assassins of the Ismaili Seet to this area. The large and grand castles such as Kal Castle of Hassan Sabah, Rustam Castle, etc. are among the more famous castles of the Ismaili Seet in this region. The presence of these castles can be attraction for tourists to this locale. When the Mongols destroyed the Ismaili government in 655 LH (1257AD), Qohestan began to stagnate in many aspects. Not much change occurred in this region from the Mongols to the Safavid Dynasty (1500-1732 AD). However, with the consolidation of power by the Safavid rulers, the capital of the Qohestan was moved from Qaen to Birjand. The villages surround this city began to flourish and economic, social, political, military, and cultural development began to improve. This can be seen in the artifacts surviving from this period.