Archnet is an Open Access resource, provided to the public to facilitate cultural understanding and excellence in both scholarship and practice. Content from Archnet.org may not be published, displayed, or appropriated for commercial use without the expressed written permission of the copyright holder. Unless otherwise noted, Archnet material is available for instructional, nonprofit use, and personal use on the terms of a <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International</a> (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. Please contact Archnet to request permission to use the Archnet.org website and its contents beyond the scope outlined above. High-resolution images may be available by contacting us using <a href="mailto:archnet@mit.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">archnet@mit.edu</a>. The content available on Archnet, including but not limited to information, text, graphics, logos, and multimedia related to the the <a href="https://www.archnet.org/authorities/1903" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aga Khan Trust for Culture’</a>s programmes, such as the <a href="https://www.archnet.org/collections/54" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Historic Cities Programme</a>, the <a href="https://www.archnet.org/collections/848" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aga Khan Award for Architecture</a> and the <a href="https://www.archnet.org/collections/132" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aga Khan Music Programme</a>, may be protected by copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights and laws, whether owned by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, its affiliates, or third parties. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or display of this content is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the respective copyright or trademark holder. Violation of this prohibition may result in legal penalties.

Terms of use

Archnet is a community powered resource that provides ready access to visual and textual material to facilitate teaching, scholarship, and professional work of high quality.&nbsp;This unparalleled resource continues to grow with both the addition of historic archives and documentation on contemporary trends shaping the built environment today.&nbsp;To better serve you, our user, in the study of art and architecture of Muslim societies, we continue to build our vast collection of sites, publications, images, and videos. We invite your involvement, particularly in the areas below:<ul><li>To ensure a high level of scholarly content and accuracy in the information provided, we appreciate your expert feedback and, more importantly, your contributions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Please send comments, corrections, commendations, and other feedback to <a href="mailto:archnet@mit.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">archnet@mit.edu</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>If you find sites on Archnet to which you can contribute in compelling and meaningful ways, your generosity is most welcome. If you would be interested in contributing research, publications or other media to Archnet, please contact us using <a href="about:blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">archnet-submission@mit.edu</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>We welcome the donation of select archives based on our current editorial policies and priorities.&nbsp;If you have a collection you would like to bring to the attention of Archnet's editors, please send an email to: <a href="http://mailto: archnet-submission@mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">archnet-submission@mit.edu</a>.</li><li>Occasionally, Archnet editors issue calls for contributions on specific themes or of particular types of material. Follow those on the <a href="https://libraries.mit.edu/akdc/category/contributors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website of AKDC@MIT </a>or <a href="https://mailchi.mp/17fc345bbd94/archnetakdc-updates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">subscribe to our mailing list</a>.</li></ul>The breadth, depth and quality of Archnet is only possible through the generosity of numerous institutions and individuals listed on the respective pages throughout the site.&nbsp;We thank you for your generosity!

Contribute

<h2>ARCHNET FAQ</h2>1. Will ARCHNET work on my device?Archnet works well on the most recent version of any major browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), either on a mobile device or computer. It may work on older or less common browsers as well. If Archnet fails to work properly on your machine, please let us know about your experience by clicking the blue feedback button at bottom right!2. Will my URLs from earlier versions of Archnet still work?Yes, if they are from the version launched in January 2013. As of October 12, 2021, all URLs from the old Archnet have been redirected to ARCHNET.&nbsp;&nbsp;3. How do I download a/n:&nbsp;<ul><li>image - Select the image you want to download from search results, a site or an authority. The image will open in your browser.&nbsp;Right click to download.&nbsp;For larger, high-resolution copies, see contact us using archnet@mit.edu.&nbsp;</li><li>publication - Open the page for the publication in your browser and click the download button. Reprinting Archnet publications is permissible only for personal use.&nbsp;Please contact us for any other requests.&nbsp;</li><li>site descriptions and metadata - Site descriptions and metadata can be used for any nonprofit or educational organization with appropriate attribution to the authors and Archnet.&nbsp;</li><li>video - Currently video downloads are not possible. If you'd like to use an Archnet video, please contact <a href="mailto:archnet@mit.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">archnet@mit.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>See our <a href="https://www.archnet.org/pages/terms" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Terms of Use</a> for information on how you can use Archnnet material.4. Can I contribute material to Archnet?&nbsp;Yes!&nbsp;See our <a href="https://www.archnet.org/pages/contribute" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Contribute</a> page for more information.&nbsp;Calls for specific contributions are also also shared in our social media and on the <a href="https://libraries.mit.edu/akdc/category/contributors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">web site of the Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;5. What happened to the Archnet Timeline?&nbsp;Timeline has migrated into the ARCHNET NEXT Collections page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.archnet.org/collections/collection_type/3/1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">as a category</a>. These collections provide short introductions for each period, often offering lists of additional resources at the end of the entry. Only the timeline graphic listing the periods along a chronological axis has not migrated.6. My question isn't here.&nbsp;How can I get help?&nbsp;If your issue is with using Archnet, use the blue Feedback button to alert us to your issue. This will allow you to include a screenshot or recording. Please, also, feel free to contact us at <a href="mailto:archnet@mit.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">archnet@mit.edu</a>We are currently developing the help section of ARCHNET NEXT. In the meantime, please use the blue Feedback button in ARCHNET NEXT to send us feedback or other questions. Contact us at <a href="mailto:archnet@mit.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">archnet@mit.edu</a>.&nbsp;

Need help?

Welcome to ARCHNET, an Open Access, intellectual resource focused on the built environment of Muslim societies.Our mission:&nbsp;<ul><li>Facilitate excellence in scholarship, and professional work by providing ready access to quality, unique texts, and media focused on architecture, urbanism, environmental and landscape design, conservation issues, visual and material cultures, and related topics, both historically and in terms of contemporary best practices.</li><li>Enable teaching and learning in these domains by providing educators with reliable, effective pedagogical material and teaching aids.&nbsp;</li><li>Serve serves as a platform through which scholars, practitioners, and institutions can bring their work to new global audiences.&nbsp;</li><li>Promote intercultural understanding and dialogue through reliable, high-quality, peer-reviewed material on the diversity of, and pluralism within Muslim societies and the interaction between Islamic and other religious, cultural, and philosophical traditions.</li><li>Enable easy access to a wide variety of resources via a custom-built, web-based, mobile-friendly platform optimized to minimize financial, infrastructural, linguistic, and other barriers to access.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>Launched in 2002 after several years of development, ARCHNET is a pioneering digital resource that has proven a reliable authority on the built environment of Muslim societies, past, and present.&nbsp;ARCHNET is a partnership between the <a href="https://www.archnet.org/collections/1342" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aga Khan Documentation Center, MIT Libraries </a>(AKDC@MIT) and the <a href="https://www.archnet.org/authorities/1903" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aga Khan Trust for Culture</a> (AKTC), with support from the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard and MIT. ARCHNET NEXT was developed by <a href="https://www.performantsoftware.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Performant Software Solutions</a>.

About

Karīm Khān Zand 

patron

Shiraz 

place

tomb

garden

Timeline: Zand {1740-1794}

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/265fca75-d7ff-4cde-89cc-9e9a77271654/download

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/265fca75-d7ff-4cde-89cc-9e9a77271654/iiif

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/265fca75-d7ff-4cde-89cc-9e9a77271654/inline

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/265fca75-d7ff-4cde-89cc-9e9a77271654/preview

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/265fca75-d7ff-4cde-89cc-9e9a77271654/thumbnail

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/265fca75-d7ff-4cde-89cc-9e9a77271654/content

digital graphic

IAA100150.jpeg

Iran

The stone tombs of seven Zand period mystics are located in a garden with a citrus grove. The site was converted into a museum in 1991.

Import

Marie-Thérèse Ullens de Schooten

Fars Province (Ullens Collection)

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4ea8333c-e59b-461e-9b1c-d19599eb56c6/download

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4ea8333c-e59b-461e-9b1c-d19599eb56c6/iiif

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4ea8333c-e59b-461e-9b1c-d19599eb56c6/inline

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4ea8333c-e59b-461e-9b1c-d19599eb56c6/preview

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4ea8333c-e59b-461e-9b1c-d19599eb56c6/thumbnail

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4ea8333c-e59b-461e-9b1c-d19599eb56c6/content

35 mm color slide

IMG28369

Haft Tanan

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/26aa952a-b510-4022-b529-2b7a7bf1649f/download

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/26aa952a-b510-4022-b529-2b7a7bf1649f/iiif

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/26aa952a-b510-4022-b529-2b7a7bf1649f/inline

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/26aa952a-b510-4022-b529-2b7a7bf1649f/preview

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/26aa952a-b510-4022-b529-2b7a7bf1649f/thumbnail

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/26aa952a-b510-4022-b529-2b7a7bf1649f/content

IMG28370

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/df226bdb-081f-4081-ba8e-57cc70fbfdad/download

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/df226bdb-081f-4081-ba8e-57cc70fbfdad/iiif

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/df226bdb-081f-4081-ba8e-57cc70fbfdad/inline

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/df226bdb-081f-4081-ba8e-57cc70fbfdad/preview

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/df226bdb-081f-4081-ba8e-57cc70fbfdad/thumbnail

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/df226bdb-081f-4081-ba8e-57cc70fbfdad/content

IMG28371

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/a378dabd-1acc-45bf-97a7-f346f6a04a5f/download

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/a378dabd-1acc-45bf-97a7-f346f6a04a5f/iiif

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/a378dabd-1acc-45bf-97a7-f346f6a04a5f/inline

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/a378dabd-1acc-45bf-97a7-f346f6a04a5f/preview

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/a378dabd-1acc-45bf-97a7-f346f6a04a5f/thumbnail

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/a378dabd-1acc-45bf-97a7-f346f6a04a5f/content

IMG28372

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/fcfc808c-2b3c-4a3a-9654-d223302b5488/download

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/fcfc808c-2b3c-4a3a-9654-d223302b5488/iiif

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/fcfc808c-2b3c-4a3a-9654-d223302b5488/inline

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/fcfc808c-2b3c-4a3a-9654-d223302b5488/preview

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/fcfc808c-2b3c-4a3a-9654-d223302b5488/thumbnail

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/fcfc808c-2b3c-4a3a-9654-d223302b5488/content

IMG28373

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4859c33f-05ca-4132-babb-de5cbec185b2/download

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4859c33f-05ca-4132-babb-de5cbec185b2/iiif

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4859c33f-05ca-4132-babb-de5cbec185b2/inline

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4859c33f-05ca-4132-babb-de5cbec185b2/preview

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4859c33f-05ca-4132-babb-de5cbec185b2/thumbnail

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/4859c33f-05ca-4132-babb-de5cbec185b2/content

IMG28374

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/6274c28e-7b55-4b05-a033-02fb91600993/download

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/6274c28e-7b55-4b05-a033-02fb91600993/iiif

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/6274c28e-7b55-4b05-a033-02fb91600993/inline

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/6274c28e-7b55-4b05-a033-02fb91600993/preview

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/6274c28e-7b55-4b05-a033-02fb91600993/thumbnail

https://archnet-3-prod-iiif-cloud-c0fe51f0b9ac.herokuapp.com/public/resources/6274c28e-7b55-4b05-a033-02fb91600993/content

IMG28375

Haft Tan

Variant

Seven Martyrs' Tomb

Seven Bodies

Haft Tanan Mourning Place

For more information see <a href="https://www.archnet.org/collections/2380" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Timeline: Zand</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Founded by Karim Khan Zand (r. 1750-79/1164-93 AH), the Zandieh ruled Iran (excluding Khorasan) for nearly fifty years following the downfall of the Afsharids. Karim Khan was the chief of a tribe of Laks [northern Lors] deported by Nāder Shah (r.1736-47/1148-59 AH) from the Zagros Mountains to Khorasan to serve in his army, rising through the ranks to serve as general.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite gains in territory and the acquisition of prize booty such as the Mughal peacock throne, Nāder Shah was regarded as an oppressive tyrant. His brief and tumultuous reign ended when he was murdered by his troops in 1747/1159 AH. In the wake of a fractured Iran following Nāder Shah’s assassination, Karim Khan became one of several contenders for control of the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Nāder Shah’s successors failed to regain control of Western Iran, Karim Khan and three rival chieftains took control of the former Safavid capital of Isfahan in 1750/1164 AH. Under the figurehead of Ismail III, the grandson of the last official Safavid King, the alliance lasted briefly from 1750-51/1164-5 AH until a series of coups shifted the power from the hands of one faction to another.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;From 1751-1763/1164-1178 AH, Karim Khan struggled to maintain power against the Qajar and Afsharid oppositions, but eventually prevailed. By 1764/1178 AH, he had successfully established rule in all of Iran with the exception of Khorasan, which remained under Afsharid control by Nader Shah’s grandson, Shahrokh. The constant threat of Ottoman and Afghan forces at the Iranian borders was contained under Karim Khan’s reign, and from 1765-79/1179-93 AH he ruled from his capital at Shiraz.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karim Khan took the title of Wakil al-ra ‘aya (Regent of the Subjects), the term for a local official. His refusal of the loftier title of ShahanShah, or King of Kings, used by former dynasties ingratiated him both to his subjects, the regional governors, and Safavid Ismail III, who predeceased Karim Khan in 1773/1187 AH.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Known as a compassionate ruler and a great patron of the arts, Karim Khan’s legacy still stands in Shiraz. With the ancient city in a state of urban decline following the Afghan invasions and the rebellion against Nāder Shah by its governor, Shiraz was in great need of refurbishment. Following the Safavid example at Isfahan, Karim Khan began an ambitious building program in 1766 that included a mosque, a palace, and a bazaar around a central square known as the Maidan-i Wakil. The Masjid-i Wakīl or Regent’s Mosque, at the south end of the complex, is a congregational mosque with a square court and iwans on the north and south entrances. Behind the mosque is a public bath, with a vaulted brick bazaar to its east. The Arg (Citadel) is situated at the north end of the complex.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karim Khan’s program included a revival of decorative arts, from elaborate haft rang-ī tiles with naturalistic floral themes, to large-scale oil paintings adorning the palace walls. Scenes depicting the Zand court include portraits featuring shading, modeling and drapery after European examples, setting a precedent for portraiture during the Qajar period.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Maidan-i Wakil’s main square is flanked by two impressive garden complexes, dedicated to state use during the Zand period: Divankhane and Nazar. The pavilion in the latter has been the home of the Pars Museum since the 1930s.&nbsp;Historical gardens such as the Jahan Nama, Haft Tanan, and Chehel Tanan were also renovated. The gardens function partly as cemeteries and are located north of the tomb of fourteenth century mystic poet Hāfez, also refurbished during the Zand dynasty along with the tomb of thirteenth century lyric poet Sa ‘di.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karim Khan also revived trade and agriculture in Western Iran, relieving the agricultural class of heavy taxation. Commercial agreements with the English East India Company allowed them to establish a trading post at the Persian Gulf port of Bushehr in 1763/1177 AH. Ultimately, Karim Khan would personify the dynasty’s accomplishments, maintaining the longest period of civil tranquility in the eighteenth century.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Following his death in 1779/1193 AH, Karim Khan’s successors were unable to maintain long-term power. From 1779-89/1193-1204 AH, five Zand kings ruled until Loṭf ‘Ali Khan (r.1789-94/1204-09 AH) took the throne, railing against a rebellion led by ­Āghā Moḥammad Khan Qajar. Overrun by superior forces, this final Zand king was defeated at Kerman in 1794/1209 AH, and the Qajars gained control of the country. Nazanin Hedayat Munroe Suggestions for further readingAsadpour, Ali et al. “Typology of Iranian Gardens During Zand Dynasty (1750-1794) in Shiraz, Iran.”&nbsp;Elixir Historic Preservation 44 (2012): 7347-7353.Avery, Peter et al. The Cambridge History of Iran: From Nadir Shah to the Islamic Republic. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991.Perry, John R. Karim Khan Zand (Makers of the Muslim World). Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2006.Perry, John R. “Zand Dynasty.” In Encyclopedia Iranica. Last modified March 15, 2010. http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/zand-dynastySykes, Sir Percy Molesworth. A History of Persia. London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1915.&nbsp;

Haft TananShiraz, Iran

Haft Tanan
Shiraz, Iran