Muhammad Esma’il, the Architect, in the Historical Qajar-Era Documents of Shiraz

Q: How can I download an article?

To download an article from SID, first log in to the site, search for the article title, and click on the 'Download Article' option.

Q: How can I download an ISI article?

To download an ISI article on SID, enter the keyword or article title in the search bar, view the relevant results, click on the desired article, and select the 'Download Article' option.

Q: How can I access the SID database?

To access the SID database, visit SID.ir, create an account, and log in to access scientific resources.

Q: Is downloading articles from SID free?

Some articles on SID are available for free, while others require payment. Details are specified on the article's page.

Asadpour Ali

مرکز اطلاعات علمی Scientific Information Database (SID) - Trusted Source for Research and Academic Resources

Journal Paper

Paper Information

Journal: JOURNAL OF ART AND CIVILIZATION OF THE ORIENT Year:2025 | Volume:13 | Issue:48 Page(s): 38-49

Download Full-Text

Persian Verion

View:

Download:

Cites:

Information Journal Paper

Title

Muhammad Esma’il, the Architect, in the Historical Qajar-Era Documents of Shiraz

Author(s)

Asadpour Ali | Issue Writer Certificate

Keywords

Qajar

Shiraz Architect

Muhammad Esma’il

Archival Studies

Seal Imprint

Abstract

Systematic and documented knowledge regarding the names and identities of architects in Shiraz during the pre-modern era remains limited, despite a significant portion of the city’s historical fabric dating back to the Qajar period. The aim of this study is to introduce one of the unknown architects of Qajar-era Shiraz, Muhammad Esma’il, through inscriptions and letters preserved in archives, and to identify his role and position (stage) based on the analysis of these documents. The research is interpretive-historical, relying primarily on documents preserved in archival sources. Supplementary data for identifying other individuals mentioned in these documents has been obtained from library resources. Accordingly, the following questions are posed: What role and status did Muhammad Esma’il hold in the society of his time? In which inscriptions on historical buildings in Shiraz is his name recorded? And what kind of social structure do these documents reflect in relation to the concepts of ‘power’ and ‘agents’? The research findings include four documents dated between 1184 and 1912, which collectively indicate that ‘Muhammad Esma’il Mi’mār,’ the architect of the Takyeh or tomb of the Qavām family, was one of the experienced and trusted members of the architectural guild of Shiraz and had assumed at least three roles: ‘constructor of a building,’ ‘experienced architect in evaluating and estimating a building,’ and ‘one of the city residents.’ These documents offer insights into aspects of his professional and family life. Notably, two different seal imprints of his, as well as a seal imprint of his son, ‘Muhammad Kāzem,’ appear in these documents, each used in a distinct context. His collaboration with ‘Ustād Āqā,’ another architect from Shiraz, is also evidenced in these correspondences. Although the title ‘Ustād [Master]’ is not used for Muhammad Esma’il in any of the documents, the findings suggest that he held a distinguished position and was a trusted agent in the champ of power within the city structure.

Multimedia

No record.

Cites

No record.

References

No record.

Cite

Related Journal Papers

No record.

Related Seminar Papers

No record.

Related Plans