Shah Cheragh

29°36′34.6″N 52°32′35.9″E / 29.609611°N 52.543306°E / 29.609611; 52.543306ArchitectureTypemausoleum, mosqueStylePersian, Safavid, QajarCompleted13th centurySpecificationsDome(s)1Minaret(s)2

Shah Cheragh (Persian: شاه چراغ) is a 12th century funerary monument and religious complex located in Shiraz, Iran. It is centred around the mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad, the son of Musa al-Kazim, who is known as Shah Cheragh (King of the Light) in local traditions, and hence the building is named as such. The site is the 363rd national monument of Iran.^[1][2][3][4]

History of Shah Cheragh

The first structure over the grave of Sayyid Ahmad ibn Musa was built in the 13th century during the rule of the Salghurids, by the minister, a former Buyid prince.^[2] He built a domed mausoleum over the grave and a porch. Local folklore tells that the grave was found when a light appeared over it, which caught the attention of the people, who told the minister about what they had seen.^[2] The mausoleum stayed in that state for several years until the rule of the Injuids.^[2] During that time, female Injuid monarch, Queen Tash Khatun, further expanded the structure.^[1]

During Safavid rule in the 16th century, the building was extensively renovated.^[2] Then in the 18th century, Nader Shah Afshar donated a golden chandelier, which was hung under the dome.^[4] But a few years later, an earthquake struck Shiraz, and the complex of Shah Cheragh was heavily damaged by the tremors. The golden chandelier was lost during this time. But a year after the earthquake had passed, a man named Qandeel found some remains of the donated gold, which he used to fund the reconstruction of the Shah Cheragh funerary monument.^[3]

During the Qajar period, several repairs were made to the building.^[4] A silver zarih was also installed around the grave.^[4]

Architecture

The religious complex consists of a mosque and the mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad.^[2][4] A museum for ancient works is also situated in the complex.

The mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad is topped by a large dome. The mausoleum itself is made of plaster and stone. Around his grave, a silver zarih is visible.^[4]

The dome over the mausoleum contains a lot of mirror work on the interior.^[4] It is a Qajar period construction as well, and it replaces the original Safavid era dome which was destroyed in the earthquake.^[4] It has a metal skeleton as well. Persian calligraphy lines the base of the dome.^[4]

Museum

The museum located within the Shah Cheragh complex was established in 1925 in a corner of the shrine.^[4] In this museum, at least 600 pieces of pottery and clay artwork are stored, as well as several coins from the Parthian and Sassanian periods.^[4] Also inside the museum are weapons (such as swords) from the Safavid and Qajar periods.^[4] Several examples of manuscripts and documents are archived in there as well.^[4]

Mass kill by gun in 2022

On 26 October 2022, at least 15 people were killed in a mass shooting at the complex of Shah Cheragh.^[5] The three attackers are described by Iranian state media as apparently being takfiri terrorists. Two attackers have been arrested; the other is at large. Later the same day, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.^[6] The Iranian authorities said that the attackers are not Iranian nationals.^[7] Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency stated that children are among the dead.^[7] The United Nations have condemned the attack on the religious site.^[8]

Gallery

• 
  Shah Cheragh at night
• 
  The dome of Shah Cheragh
• 
  The prayer hall of the mosque in the Shah Cheragh complex
• 
  The tomb of Mir Muhammad in the mausoleum
• 
  Tomb of Queen Tash Khatun in the southern side of the complex

See also

Imamzadeh

List of mosques in Iran

References

External links