Elements Of Iranian Architecture In Islamic Architecture
When it comes to Islamic architecture, there are certain elements that have their
roots in the architecture of other nations like ancient Iran and so on. Iranian architecture was very advanced in planning and constructing various structures at the time of Sassanian Empire (3rd to 7th centuries). The Arabian Peninsula, at that time was void of sufficient expertise and know-how on how to build sophisticated buildings. So, they needed to look at the various other civilizations to learn from them.
Elements of Iranian Architecture
Domes: A wide range of structures, from fire temples to royal palaces, were built with domes under Sassanians. Iranian architects were very skillful in building domes on square buildings. They had been doing this for centuries before Arabs began planning and constructing temples for their new belief.
Minarets: They were constructed at least from the time of Achaemenians in ancient Persia to be used as light houses in the deserts or watch towers at the country borders. A more recent example of minarets can be found at the middle of the first capital city of Sassanians, at Ardeshir Khora, Fars Province, south of Shiraz.
Arches: The Elamite temple of Chogha Zanbil near Ahvaz is a good example of the existing proficiency of Iranians' skillful workmanship in building arches. Elamites (5000 BC to 1250 BC) had settled at the south west of the present Iran, near Susa and had built this ziggurat-shaped temple for their gods with arches on its entrances and gateways.
Columns: At least from the time of Medes, Iranian plateau has witnessed the construction of pillars to support the ceiling and construction of columned halls. Hasanloo historical sight near Urmia Lake, situated at the north west of present Iran is a good example of constructing this element of Iranian architecture.
Niche: When Zoroastrian fire temples were attacked by Arab invaders, these templates were mostly destroyed. Those that survived the destruction were converted into mosques. In such cases, one of the arched entrances of fire temples was restored into a prayer niche, mihrab (mehrab).
Running Water: Arabs had introduced a new religion based on which, the worshippers were obliged to observe ablution (washing of face, hands and feet before praying). This should have been done in clean water. So, a source of running water in the temple was needed too. The palaces of Cyrus the great in Pasargadae had been planned with water channels leading running water around them where fruit trees had cast shade on the beautiful Persian garden surroundings.
In addition to these major elements of Iranian architecture utilized in Islamic architecture, other elements were also made use of. Besides, the art of Iranian craftsmen were used to decorate Islamic buildings such as the know-how and arts of inscriptions, glazed tiles, etc.
Also, as an ancient civilization with lots of educated scholars, Persians have helped a lot to write Arabic Grammar and organize it.
Due to the prohibition imposed and enforced by Arab invaders at that time, several arts were extremely limited or completely halted like music, theater, sculpture, painting of human figures, etc. Instead, Iranians helped abundantly with the development of some arts like calligraphy. So, the beautiful Arabic inscriptions decorating Islamic structures, are indebted to the endeavors of Iranians' expertise in creating beautiful Koranic verses on the facades of the mosques, mausoleums, etc.
by: Rahman Mehraby
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