A Study of Several Me'mārbāshi’s of Fārs province during the Qājār Era based on Historical Documents and Sources

Some of the Qājār-era architects from Fārs can be found in inscriptions, but there is rarely documented knowledge regarding the works and lives of the "court master architects" (Me'mārbāshi) of that time. On the other hand, although the position of Me'mārbāshi was a courtly post, the specific duties of these individuals varied across different provinces of the country. Therefore, recognizing them can provide a better understanding of the social history of architecture in Iran. The goal of this research is to identify the Me'mārbāshis of Fārs during the Qājār period and to offer insight into some daily events involving the Me'mārbāshis based on documents, records, and a multifaceted narrative of their occupational status, duties, and work. This research seeks to answer the following questions: Who were the Me'mārbāshis of Fārs province, and how do they relate to the narratives preserved in other historical evidence? What were their probable duties in the court of Fārs, and what similarities or differences existed compared to other Me'mārbāshis in the capital? Socially and professionally, what characteristics of these individuals can be distinguished? The research methodology is interpretive-historical, based on analysis and description. Documents from the National Library and Archives of Iran (Sākmā) and the World of Women in the Qājar-era archive, along with primary historical sources, were examined. The results collectively indicate the weakness of the architectural organization in Fārs, which, with the removal of the "mubāshir" (superintendent) and the employment of designers other than architects, did not achieve remarkable success. The Me'mārbāshis of Fārs province, including "Mirzā Hassan Me'mārbāshi," an unskilled and profit-driven individual who remained in this position for over a decade in the middle of the Nāsiri period; "Aqā Khān Me'mārbāshi," the last Me'mārbāshi of the Nāsiri era, whose characteristics remain unclear; and finally, "Mo'tamed al-Soltān Me'mārbāshi," who was famous for his sharp thinking and focus from the early years of the Mozaffar al-Din Shāh period, are the only recognizable figures.