They were created by the Safavid monarch Shah Abbas I (r. 1588–1629) as part of his policy to redistribute land as well as the restructure provincial governmental and tribal structures.
[3][4] Ghazi Soltan, who had served Shah Abbas I during the latters time as a prince, was appointed the leader of the Moqaddam.
The most notable members of the Moqaddam joined the national elite, but their influence in provincial political matters began to wane.
Despite this, Reza Shah's appointments in the provincial administration continued to be significantly influenced by the Moqaddams and other families of the aristocratic and commercial elite, who supported and participated in his government.
[7] The historian Mary-Jo Delvecchio Good, writing in 1977, states that "The Moqaddams who remain in Maragheh are still quite wealthy but have lost much of their prestige along with their villages and political roles.