Athar

Research, conservation and restoration of Bodagh Sultan tomb, in Mahabad

Ebrahim Heydari

The tomb of Bodagh Sultan belongs to the Mukrian’s ruler, during the reign of Shah Suleiman the Safavid. It’s a tomb from the Islamic era in West Azerbaijan province, in Mahabad city. This historic building is the family tomb of Bodagh Sultan and other members of the Mukri’s family, who ruled this area for about four centuries. Bodagh Sultan made great efforts to develop his region and participated in forming the Mukrian’s city by constructing commercial and social centers such as: caravanserai, aqueduct, bazaar, mosque, bath and bridge. Bodagh Sultan’s tomb is located in the center of the old cemetery. According to the historical texts, tombstones and citation of trustees and survivors of Mukrian family, this tomb belongs to Bodagh Sultan and it is the place of a number of prominent members of his family who buried here in the Safavid period. Most of the members of this family, from Shah Ismail Safavi to Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar, were governors in Mukrian region. They fought with invaders, and because of popularity of the Sultan and the elders who buried in the tomb, some people of different parts of Kurdistan always visit the tomb. After the fall of Safavid Dynasty, the tomb of Bodagh Sultan damaged a lot, because of insecurities and local disputes. Even though this building was registered as national monuments in Iran, the damages hadn’t been done and tomb had become half destroyed. The north Ivan and the south Ivan were completely destroyed, and heterogeneous repairs and additions were made. Also a humble door was installed to enter the domed nave. The graves’ inscriptions, were also completely destroyed, except the tombstone of Abdullah Khan, the last governor of the family. From 1991 to 1995, according to an approved planning, the cultural heritage department of West Azerbaijan provinc restored this historical monument after doing archeological and architectural researches. At the first step, debris and mass of the shrine grounds on the northern side of the mausoleum removed, with an area of about 42 square meters. After completing the excavations in the destroyed spaces and discovering the foundations and remnants of the walls and part of the arches, niches, walls on both sides of the entrances to the shrine (north Ivan), and the entrance Ivan (south side), the reconstruction map was prepared, under supervision of Dr. Baqir Ayatollahzade Shirazi. In 1992, the reconstruction and completion of the north and south Ivans and the outer body of the tomb continued, and the reconstruction of the side walls, arch and dome, and the architectural elements of both Ivans were completed. Now this building is a symbol of the city and one of the historical and tourist attractions of Mahabad.

Introducing and Studying Graffiti of Baba-Afzal Kashani Tomb

Zahra Rashendnua

Baba-Afzal Kashani tomb is located in the highest point of Margh village western end in Kashan is among Iranian tombs of Mogul era with some attachments of later periods decorated with tile and carved plaster. Baba-Afzal was one of the distinguished philosophers, poets and scientists in second half of 6th century and first half of 7th century. A plaster molded altar and a precious inlaid box on his tombstone as well as several writings are the important traits of his tomb. A large number of its graffiti have been destroyed. The purpose of this research is answering this question: “what is the content of Baba-Afzal Kashani tomb graffiti?” Here I intend to investigate these writings considering their content and language at the aim of recording them. These writing, mostly found at the western side of the tomb today, are exposed to the danger of destruction and a small number of them has been preserved. Therefore, after studying all investigated samples, just a limited number of them whose content, date and handwriting were intact and readable were selected and their photos and content were included in this paper due to their multiplicity (54 samples) and space limitation of this paper. Rest of them has been just named here. The applied methodology was historical-descriptive conducted based on some field studies and written references. The results show that there are some writings with historical, religious, literal, blessing and advising content in Persian. The names of some famous poets such as Saadi, Hafez and Abu-Sa’id Abul-Khayr as well as Arabic traditions, narrations and poems can be seen. The handwritings are mostly Thulth. A number of them describe an incident or pilgrimage trip to Baba-Afzal tomb and only in one of them a picture can be seen. Considering the names, titles, family relations and dates used by the writers of the graffiti, it can be perceived that most visitors of this well-known gnostic were from Kashan and the villages around Margh village such as: Joshaghan, Niasar, Kamo, Bidgol, Vorkan, Ghamsar and Naragh and the names belong to Borujerd, Khoi and Tabriz cities and Mazandaran province. Merchant, grocer, eulogist, preacher, tragedian of passion plays and tiler were among the jobs mentioned in graffiti. Some names such as Abd Al-Azim Joshaghani, Nasrollah the son of Sedgh Agha Esmail Agha Kazem, Seyed Mohamad-Taghi Attar Neishabouri were written several times. The dates are between 1130-1311AH which shows most visits occurred in 13th century (1208-1299AH), Rabi’ Al-Thani (repeated 6 times), Rajab (repeated 3 times) and Jumada Al-Awwal, Jumada Al-Thani, Rabi’ Al- Awwal (each repeated twice).

Re-Examination of Various Iranian Domes and Their Divisions Considering Their Shells, Geometric Forms and Components.

Afrooz Rahimi Ariyaie

Iranian covers have been invented based on the necessities and requirements of their time and have evolved gradually during centuries which has resulted in the creation of different types of them. In general, the covers are divided into two types of flat and curved ones. As a common curved cover in Iran, domes have had great influences not only on the geometric forms of buildings but also on the city perspective. Domes have been used in Iranian architecture more than other elements for their capability of covering a vast area. For the pressure existing among the dome components, any measure including renovation and strengthening must be taken based on the accurate and correct acquaintance with their overall nature and function; therefore, investigating domes and getting familiar with them not only reveals parts of Iranian architecture history but also assists us in proper renovation of these works. Previous researchers have studied and categorized Iranian domes but they have never been categorized extensively according to their shapes, main components and shell numbers. Considering the importance and use of domes in Iranian architecture, this research has been conducted at the aim of reviewing various types of domes and then presenting an extensive categorization based on their geometric forms, components and number of shells. Hence, this is the main question that how many types of Iranian domes there are based on the considered criteria. This research is a practical one and a compound research methodology (historical, descriptive and analytic) has been used to conduct it. The data has been derived from library and field studies (field observations of previous researchers have been used to obtain a comprehensive result.). What distinguishes this research from the previous ones is its variables, the research methodology and samples comprehensiveness. According to the results obtained based on domes shell number, there are 3 main types of dome. Each type in turn includes various sub-categories considering the space between shells, shell form (spherical, conical, combinatorial) and components (beam vault, opium poppy form, fasteners). Single-shell dome has 3 divisions: simple spherical, step-like, beamed domes, conical and domes with cupola. Double-shell domes have 3 main categories which include some sub-categories as well. Integrated spherical dome is the first type of double-shell dome which is the only separated double-shell dome. The second sub-category of double-shell dome is integrated hollow spherical dome which in turn includes simple, box-like, constraint, bladed and beamed forms. The 3th type of double-shell dome is the entirely disunited one which has 3 sub-categories: conical, spherical, combinatorial based on the outer shell form. Spherical dome also has some sub-categories: simple, onion, gothic, beamed, scalloped and zigzag. Double-shell conical dome includes 7 sub-categories: coneshaped, multiply, zigzag, scalloped, step-like, mound dome and combinatorial. For combinatorial dome two types of simple and beamed have been recognized. The last type of dome is 3-shell dome which has two sub-categories of spherical (simple and scalloped) and conical (simple, scalloped and multiply) considering their exterior shells. Totally, 27 types of dome have been recognized and categorized so far. Such form variety is the indicator of not only Iranian creativity but also acquaintance of Iranian master-workmen with the construction techniques and static issues.

Re-Examination of the Inscription and Construction Date of Agha Bozorg Mosque Portal

Dariush Zolfaghari

Inscribed historical works such as coins, seals, manuscripts, documents, various objects, tombstones and inscriptions are among the most significant and reliable sources of all nations’ culture and history. In the field of Iranian civilization in Islamic era, inscriptions and written sources have always been interesting for the rulers and public. Meanwhile, monuments have been the most important document for determining the architecture history and originality of a building while being exposed to destruction or elimination by conquerors or opponents to the same extent. These valuable research sources are seriously in danger due to several ecological and preserving causes; therefore, it is likely that these sources be destroyed and future generations would not have access to them if they do not be documented. On the other hand, they must be read accurately since misreading may result in incorrect information acquisition. The main issue of this research is text investigation and reviewing the inscription of Agha Bozorg mosque portal in Kashan which was visited in Shahrivar, 1397SH (Sep.2018). Agha Bozorg mosque and school located in the historic area of Kashan, is adjacent to Khajeh Taj Al-Din tomb in a district of the same name, in Agha Bozorg street branched off Fazel Naraghi street. This school mosque is attributed to Mollah Mahdi Naraghi known as Agha Bozorg, one of the great philosophers of Kashan and was built in Mohamad-Shah Qajar era. Haj Mohamad-Taghi Khanban was the founder of this complex who constructed its mosque for public prayer and as a venue for holding debate and training sessions of his son-in-law Mollah Mahdi Naraghi. The project of building the mosque started in 1256AH (1840AD) and finished 8 years later in 1264AH (1848AD) during the early years of Naser Al-Din Shah Qajar’s reign. The dates 1263, 1264, 1268AH (1847, 1848, 1852AD) mentioned on the inscriptions of the dado, the nave (shabistan) platform, the interior space of the nave under the dome, the altar and the portal relate to the time its decoration process ended. Agha Bozorg mosque is one of the monuments with many inscriptions. The text inscribed over the portal is a 24-distich ode written with beautiful white Nastaliq handwriting on an azure tile background. The king’s name of that time (Naser Al-Din Shah), the chronogram, the poet’s nick name (Hasrat), signature (calligrapher = Hosein), the founder’s name Mohamad-Taghi and Mollah Mahdi Naraghi known as Agha Bozorg have been written on this inscription. Its text and the issue if it was read correctly are investigated here. Hasan Naraghi’s book is one of the most important books written about Kashan and its counties. He has tried to mention all inscriptions of the investigated buildings but lack of their photos in this book has made it really difficult to compare what was read by the writer to the original inscription. Through library studies and referring to Naraghi’s book, it is perceived that some distiches of the ode, inscribed on 3 sides of the portal have not been read correctly. Inscriptions are seen as the most significant document of architecture history as well as means of determining the originality of a monument. Hence, through some field studies, the writer concluded that 10 mistakes were made in reading the inscription chronogram of Agha Bozorg mosque portal while writing “The monuments of Kashan and Natanz” book. Some dates have also been read incorrectly. Such mistakes have been corrected in this research according to some field studies and through entering the inscriptions photos into this paper.

Tol-e Ājori, a new monumental building in Pārsa, a multidiscipline approach to Persepolis and Pārsa Part 2

Pierfrancesco Callieri

The Bāgh-e Fīrūzi area spreads over 130 ha and includes 10 known Achaemenid sites: seven with stone architectural elements, one with baked bricks on the surface, and two corresponding to 3 m-high rounded tepes. Tol-e Ājori is located on the eastern fringe of Bāgh-e Fīrūzi, on a border defined by Bāgh-e Fīrūzi located 300 m to the SE and Tol-e Jangī B located 400 m to the NW. This area was studied and excavated over 8 years. Comprehensive study of Tol-e Ājori, located 3 km west of the Persepolis Terrace, must be approached by taking into account former research on Pārsa. Like various scholars before us, we think that the Bāgh-e Fīrūzi area should be seen as a part of the city linked to the royal residence of Persepolis. Remains of Achaemenid occupation near the village of Fīrūzi have gradually been brought to light by archaeologists surveying the vicinity of the Terrace in the attempt to place it within the perspective of wider town planning. The archaeological excavation results in this part of the city of Pārsa showed that in both historical and functionality sense, the discovered building in Tol-e Ājori in the area known as Bāgh-e Fīrūzi, can go back to the early phases or even before the construction of the Persepolis terrace. The Tol-e Ājori is one of the valuable archaeological finds that fills the gap in the formation of the city of Pārsa before Darius I. Paying attention to the glazed bricks and the figurative imagery of fantastical animals used in this building, the building in Tol-e Ājori goes back to before the construction of Āpādānā in Susa and Persepolis, and it resembles the Ishtar gate in Babylon at the beginning of the sixth century BC. In this regard, the comparison of the construction method; architectural trend; and analytical archaeological information with regards to the construction methods; and identification of the the materials used for glazed bricks from the three areas of Tol-e Ājori, Susa and Babylon will have a critical role in understanding the history and the cultural connections of this era in South- Western Iran. The Tol-e Ājori building and the surrounding structures are located 3.5 kilometres from Persepolis, and they highlight the importance of the cityscape in this part as the oldest urban area within Pārsa. This research is conducted for the first time after new archaeological discoveries by using multidisciplinary research studies of the joint Iranian- Italian archaeological teams in the Pārsa city of Persepolis , and within the framework of the cooperation agreement between University of Bologna, Archaeology Research Centre, cooperation of Cultural Heritage Organisation, Shiraz University, and Persepolis World Heritage site.

Historical Map of Karun River Route toward Shushtar and the Source of Zayandeh Rud, By the Efforts of Najm Al-Mulk(1299AH=1260SH)

Nader Karimian Sardashti

“Historical map of Karun river route toward Shushtar and the source of Zayandeh Rud” is among the historical map series of Khuzestan which was prepared and drawn by Abd Al-Ghaffar in Ramadan 25th, 1299AH. This map illustrates Karun River, Zardkuh Mountains, Dez river in Dezful, Kuhrang Mountain, Zayandeh Rud River as well as coal mines, farms and roads of the region. Najm Al-Mulk, the well-known engineer of Qajar era, has professionally implemented the mapping methods of those years to draw this map. In addition to Najm Al-Mulk’s services to modern engineering and topography of natural areas system of Iran and particularly of Khuzestan, the details of the map are also explained here. The title mentioned in its identity certificate which includes the main Karun River toward Shushtar and the source of Zayandeh Rud, has been chosen as the title of this research. Fortunately, it is known who has drawn this historical map; it is the late Haj Abd Al-Ghaffar Naj Al-Mulk (1839-1908AD), The engineer, historian and astronomer of Naseri era who played a significant role in preparing the geographical maps of Khuzestan. His scientific-engineering records are the indicative of his great activities in this field. Moreover, his “Khuzestan travelogue” is seen as a golden sheet of the history and geography of Khuzestan in Qajar era which can be a valuable heritage for future generations. Based on the data written on the map, it dates back to Ramadan 25th, 1299(1882AD). The name of the drawing location, Tehran, and the drawer’s, Abd Al-Ghaffar, have also been declared on the map. The year 1299AH coincides with 1260SH. Therefore, the map dates back to 136 years ago (based on solar calendar) and 141 years ago (based on lunar calendar). One of the most important traits of this map is illustrating the natural zones, the terrain as well as Karun, Dez and Zayandeh Rud rivers zones which have been shown using particular lines. The lawn and farming surroundings of Karun, Dez and Zayandeh Rud rivers in addition to the longitudinal and transverse shears of Karkonan Mountain are also reported on this map. The sentence “The scale is one part of 20000 parts” shows that the area scale is 1 to 20000 which seems really small in comparison to the river length. The map dimensions are 48×69 cm which seems mediumsized in comparison to the maps existing in the archives of Foreign Affairs Ministry. Among the series of the historical maps remained from Haj Abd Al-Ghaffar Najm Al-Mulk (Najm Al-Doleh), this map has outstanding traits such as showing natural resources including rivers, mountains, the lawn, farms and fertile lands since the ultimate goal has mostly been planning for agriculture and optimal exploitation of rivers as well as getting accurately acquainted with the region to obtain annual taxes. The historical map of “Karun toward Shushtar and the source of Zayandeh Rud” is a clear evidence of such attitude existence. Another noteworthy point is the longitudinal and transverse shears of Karkonan Mountain on such a scale which is a rare one compared to the other maps of Qajar era. This is the indicator of the late Najm Al-Mulk’s precision who was a distinguished cartographer of that era. Keywords: Karun

Re-Dating the Monument Seyedun Ali Naghia in Abarghu

Amirhossein Karimi

Seyedun or Seyedun Ali Naghia tomb is located in Nebadan district of Abarghu. This clay monument is a tall dome chamber on the exterior cover of whose dome there are bricks as well as blue and azure tiles. The interior dado is also covered by tiles and the underneath surfaces are decorated with clay Muqarnas, inscriptions and slight painting ornaments. A vast part of the dome cover crumpled probably in 1330sSH (1950s AD) and was renovated some decades later. This building is a mosque attributed to 9th century (AH) called masjid-hosseiniyeh or hosseiniyeh of Nebadan. A small part of it which is part of the attached installations has just remained. It has had an altar whose direction confirmed to the skew Qibla of the congregational mosque and masjidhosseiniyeh of Abarghu. No dated inscription or including the founder name one can be found there. Seyedun Ali Naghia has been briefly inspected in the previous references and is attributed to 8th century (AH) based on Donald Wilber and Godard’s dating while it has been attributed to 6th- 8th centuries (AH) in the national registration file. In this research we try to date the tomb through investigating related documents, its structure and also the comparative inspection conducted during the preparation period of the renovation plan. In addition, we look for the answer to the question whether it was constructed in one single era and when it was built. Its initial function is another issue to be investigated. The dado tiles order, the way of drawing and embellishing Kufic handwriting of the inscriptions and the way of creating squinches in this monument to a great extent resemble 8th century monuments of Yazd and Isfahan. Moreover, the content of the verses written on the inscriptions which alludes to the burial use of them, in addition to above-mentioned traits, arouse the strong possibility of this monument being built as a tomb and for burial purposes. Both the structure and the ornaments are very similar to the damaged tomb of Hasan Ebn-Keikhosro (with an inscription dated 707-718 AH). Since the construction date of that tomb is known, it is likely that Seyedun Ali Naghia was also built in the first quarter of 8th century; the era during which king Mobarez Al-Din could overcome Yazd and Meibod that led to the reign of Mozaffarian dynasty to start. In addition, based on its similarities to 8th century monuments like Seyedun Golsorkhi and Hasan Ebn-Keikhosro domes and through investigating Jame’ Al-kheirat endowment in which Nebadan desert of Abarghu has been mentioned, we conceive that the mentioned buildings were all made in one single era with the fund of a famous figure who might belong to Seyed Rokn Al-Din family. Through investigating the structure of Seyedun Ali Naghia no trace of two different eras was found which leads us to the strong possibility that all of them were constructed in one single era. The content of the inscriptions read in this research for the first time, are Quran-related. We can foresee that more evidences particularly of the original forms of dome covers ornaments would be obtained through future renovations which might in turn reveal other aspects of the monument history.