A historical Research on the Recognition of the Muşallā Plain and its Two Destroyed Buildings in Shīrāz

Author

Associate Professor of Interior Architecture Department, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Shiraz University of Arts, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Abstract
Muşallā Plain has always been a renowned appellation in historical and literary texts associated with Shīrāz. However, the two historical structures in this city, known as the Muşallā mansion (a space used for praying in Islam), have received less attention and have not played a significant role in the local architectural historiography. The objective of this current research is to explore the Muşallā plain and analyze its transformations over time based on historical data. Subsequently, the focus will be on studying and documenting the mansions known as Muşallā (or Qorbāngāh) using written and visual records. This research aims to answer several questions regarding the location and function of Muşallā in Shīrāz, considering its historical, geographical, and natural characteristics. Additionally, it seeks to identify the geometric and architectural features and similarities shared by these two historical buildings, known as Muşallā or Qorbāngāh. The research method is primarily historical, utilizing travelogues, local histories, literary and geographical sources, as well as archival documents and visual materials such as drawings, photographs, and maps. The findings of this study reveal that Muşallā is a vast plain that has witnessed various phases of development and decline over a span of more than eleven centuries. These phases could be categorized into five distinct periods as follows: a. foundation and formation; b. prosperity and development; c. dignity and prestige; d. stabilization and continuity; and e. erosion. The earliest known Muşallā mansion was likely a grand brick Iwan constructed during the reign of Shāh Ţamasb II with the efforts of Mohammad Ali Khān, the son of Aşlān Khān Qollār-Āqāsī. The ruins of this structure were documented by two Englishmen named Sir William Ouseley and Joseph D’Arcy more than eight decades later, and later by John Rogers Herbert. In 1878, Farhād Mirzā Mo‘tamed al-Dowleh, the uncle of Nāser al-Din Shāh, erected a new building with a similar centrally-based Iwan, but with two smaller rooms at each side, which was still standing until 1964. In Shīrāz popular culture, the name “Qorbāngāh” was adopted for this building as a result of the tradition of sacrifice during the Nāser al-Din Shāh era and its importance as a court tradition.
Keywords: Shīrāz, Muşallā plain, J‘far-Ābād, Qorbāngāh, Iwan.
Introduction
Muşallā, also known as Şahrā-ye Muşallā, is a vast plain located in the northern part of the old Shīrāz, adjacent to the axis leading to Eştakhr or Eşfahān Gate. The historical references to this area, including the origins of its rituals, entertainment, and burial practices, remain somewhat unclear. While Hāfeẕ Shīrāzi (13th AD) contributed significantly to the fame of this plain, written evidence from at least the 10th AD onwards indicates the relative prosperity of the region. Of particular interest in this study are the architectural structures within Muşallā Plain, directly linked to its primary function as a site for prayer gatherings. Two historical buildings, known as Muşallā (or Qorbāngāh), were constructed on this plain and are the focus of the current research. Unfortunately, these buildings were destroyed during the Qājār and Pahlavi periods. Despite being part of Shīrāz’s local architectural history, these structures have not received adequate attention in previous research efforts. Although historical sources briefly mention them, comprehensive research on their architectural features and the significance of their spatial layout as a venue for ritual gatherings has yet to be conducted. Thus, the aim of this study is to shed light on the unique natural, historical, and functional aspects of Şahrā-ye Muşallā based on historical data and to provide an in-depth analysis of the Muşallā (or Qorbāngāh) buildings using existing written and visual records, as well as generate new architectural insights from these structures. 
In this study, two hypotheses are put forward. Firstly, Şahrā-ye Muşallā is identified as a common designation for a specific geographical area in the northern region of Shīrāz, serving as a significant site for religious rituals due to its unique architectural features. Secondly, it is suggested that the Muşallā mansion was originally a Safavid structure, and after its destruction, it inspired the design of the Qājār mansion with the same name. It then later became known as Qorbāngāh, indicating that these two buildings were distinct entities. Consequently, the research aims to explore the following questions: based on historical sources, how were the geographical boundaries of the Muşallā and its natural, spatial and functional characteristics in Shīrāz? What are the geometric and architectural characteristics of the historical mansions known as Muşallā or Qorbāngāh in Shīrāz? What are the similarities and differences between these two buildings in terms of architecture? 
Muşallā’s Architecture
The dimensions of the Muşallā arch are documented in a historical source, and the building is captured in two historical photographs. Through the application of the single-image photogrammetry technique, the facade layout of this structure can be accurately reconstructed. The facade design reveals a symmetrical arrangement, featuring a central porch flanked by two rooms on either side. The mansion’s width is approximately 12.90 meters, while its height reaches 8.50 meters, resulting in an overall geometry with proportions close to one and a half. The term Muşallā remained in use until the Pahlavi period, but during the reign of Nāser al-Din Shāh, the building was purportedly renamed “Qorbāngāh” due to the growing significance of the sacrificial tradition and its political implications. Despite this shift in popular culture in Shīrāz, local chronicles continued to refer to the structure as “Muşallā.”
Conclusion
The initial structure is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Shāh Ţamasb II and under the supervision of Mohammad Ali Khān, who was the son of Aşlān Khān Qollār-Āqāsī. This building featured a grand porch adorned with brick and stone, the remains of which were documented by two Englishmen named William Ouseley and Joseph D’Arcy more than eighty years later, as well as by John Rogers Herbert. For over one hundred and fifty years, this edifice stood as the sole recognized Muşallā. However, in 1878–79 AD, Farhād Mirzā Mo‘tamed al-Dowleh, who was the uncle of Nāser al-Din Shāh, constructed a new mansion with a similar porch design. This new structure, which still stood until 1964–65, deviated from its predecessor by featuring two rooms on either side of the porch. Unfortunately, the mansion was ultimately demolished due to the construction of a street.

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References

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pazhoheshha-ye Bastan shenasi Iran
Volume 14, Issue 40
June 2024
Pages 315-344

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