Analysis of the Oldest Structure Map of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza and the Surrounding Urban Environment (Designed by Zolfaghar Mohandes)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

MA in Iran Studies; Researcher of Manuscripts at Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract
Urban maps can be utilized as significant means for understanding environmental conditions. If these documents are generated following engineering precisions, they can offer a clear depiction of cities to the audience. Moreover, these maps illustrate urban developments all over the history. This applied case study used a descriptive-analytical method to examine one of the oldest maps, depicting the structure of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza and its surrounding urban environment. The original document is held in Golestan Palace (Tehran, Iran), and an image of the map (registered no. 153990) is held in the Astan Quds Razavi Document Center. The main aim of this study was to analyze this document that has been created by Zolfaghar Mohandes in 1284 AH. He has been trying to find out about the structure of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza, its physical elements, and the urban environments around the shrine over the Qajar era. The results showed that this document was made in Naser al-Din Shah’s journey to Mashhad. It illustrates the spaces related to the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza, the boundaries of neighborhood, urban service buildings (Timchehs, caravanserais, schools, baths, Ab Anbars (cisterns), Gharavolkhanehs (guardhouses), cemeteries) and the main thoroughfares. Considering the results, one can conclude that this document is the oldest map that illustrates the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza and gives the detailed information for pilgrims. The information is about the access paths to the Holy Shrine, the entrances to the courtyards, shoe repositories, and the way of movement through porches and covered prayer halls to the holy tomb of Imam Reza. Moreover, its illustrates the administrative system and structure of Astan Quds Razavi regarding the service, administrative, educational, security, accommodation, and hospitality sectors for pilgrims. Therefore, this map can be considered the first urban tourism map of Iran on pilgrimage.

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