Project 1

SAFAVID EMPIRE

Before The Safavid empire, the Ottoman empire was by far the most powerful empire in the Islamic world during the 15th century. Then came the rise of the Safavid empire which started off with a small group of the Safavid brotherhood  during the 13th century, who were converts to shi’ism, as their popularity grew it then attracted more locals who then joined the group making its numbers grow as well
 
After the Ottomans outlawed the shi’as (the Safavids) in their territory, it then lead to the declaration of independence and the establishment of the Safavid Empire by Shah Ismail I. It was, however, the shortest lived Islamicempire of all three within Middle East. At the tender age of 14-15 (1510 A.D.), Shah Ismail had then conquered the whole of Iran.
 
The growth of the safavids Brotherhood had lead to an outbreak of a holy war also known as the jihad – between the Safavids and part of, what is now known as the modern Turkey and Georgia.

The empire came to an end during the reign of Shah Hussein I in 1722 A.D.. Subsequently, due to low quality and ill-educated rulers with no experience, the empire collapsed.

ARCHITECTURE

In terms of architectural backgrounds, they had reached great heights which impressed European countries. This prosperity can be seen at Isfahan, the capital of Shah Abbas. At this period Isfahan was the most elegant city in the world which had parks, libraries, palaces and mosques.

Safavid Empire was best known for its urban planning. It was made up with a system of planning, axial arrangement linking every part of the city to each other including its separation. The Safavid Empire encouraged restoration of buildings and preservation of past empires work. A lot of the art were sources from Turkey.

TIMELINE

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxOEkdsP560QRGQ2bjBTN0VnUWM/edit

CASE STUDY:

MADRASA CHAHAR BAGH

Introduction

The Chahar Bagh Theological School, also known as Shah School, is an integral constituent of one of the largest urban complexes in Isfahan, Iran consisting of a madrasa, a mosque, a caravansary and a bazaar. It was built during the reign of Sultan Hussein in 1706 and was completed in 1714. In order to finance the school, Sultan Hussein's mother had a large caravansary built nearby, the income of which went to the Foundation.

Sincerity

Sincerity is shown through the center courtyard that is located in between the school, caravansary and bazaar. The center courtyard with running water flowing from the center to every side of the complex, and lined with cypress and fir trees, represents the longing for paradise.

Running water flowing from the center to every side of the complex

 

 

Respect

Changes of the caravansary to a hotel is permissible to meet the challenges of transformation and time. Conservation in Islam prioritize in protecting and continually enrich the divine meaning shown and the values of Islam. Imageries of idols and animals are not allowed in Islamic Architecture, instead calligraphy of Quranic revelations and words of praising Allah fills the spaces as ornaments. This is to display continuous submission to Allah even through decorations.

 

Calligraphy of Quranic revelations as ornaments

 

Transformation of the caravansary to the Hotel Abbasid

 

 

Modesty

Quiet areas, which are located in the quadrilateral  corners of the school, are provided for students to study comfortably. The marashbiyya is also used to provide privacy to the users and the small openings are to provide functional use (cross ventilation) to the rooms 

Quiet spaces located away from the public area for students to study

 

The use mashrabiyya for privacy to users and filtration of light into the room

 

 

 

Balance

The iwans and arches represent balance and harmony through the use of mathematics. The horizontal and continuous placement of the rows of arches creates harmony in its arrangement

 



 

The use of mathematics in creating well balanced and proportionate arches and iwans

 

 

Unity

The orientation of axis of the prayer hall represents the symbol of unity of faith. The courtyard in the center of the complex, as an area that attracts and gathers the users in one space

 

 

The axis of the prayer hall facing the same Qibla' as other mosques

The center courtyard as a gathering area

 

 

Knowledge

Chahar Bagh was built to serve as a theological and clerical school to train those who were interested in such sciences. The intentions of the building as an institution is still preserved till today. The pursuit of knowledge is one of the way of expressing one's submission to Allah

 

 

The pursuit of knowledge in the form of either through reading or through practical business experience and knowledge

 

 

Remembrance

Dhikr is the remembrance of Allah. Therefore, repetitions in rhythms of the chanting (dhikr) is resembled by the muqarnas and flowery arabesques. In the form of calligraphy, dhikr can also be represented by the carvings that praises Allah on any architecture elements

Muqarnas- resembling repetitions and rhythms of chanting (dhikr)