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Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1): (77-93) Archive of SID

An Inquiry into : The First International Scientific-Research Foundation of the Ilkhanid Era

Javad Shekari Niri1

Received: 2018/1/8 Accepted: 2018/7/16

Abstract The site was excavated in 1970. Prior to the excavation, there was very little known about this architectural masterpiece. The observatory was constructed on the top of a hill called "Rasad Dāghi". In fact, and Jaipur had derived the idea and astronomical units from the Maragheh construction. So, we can use those as comparisons while aiming to better understand and interpret the existing works in order to properly reconstruct the Maragheh observatory. Compared to similar monuments in India, the Maragheh observatory can be renovated only using the Maragheh architectural units. Comparing existing evidence of observation, including archaeological, historical and scientific evidence, will lead us to better understand the realities of the original design. With the reference to the architecture of the existing ancient observatories, the hypothesis was that through a comparative study, an architectural algorithm/pattern could be found and used to determine the shape and arrangement of the Maragheh observatory. The main objective here is to compare the historical and archaeological evidence of 's observation instruments with other countries in order to develop the knowledge of Archaeoastronomy. The sky and astronomical phenomenon provided the tools for time reckoning, calendar organization and celestial navigation that supported those human voyages.

Keywords: Maragheh Observatory, Jantar Mantar, Samanid Temple, Archaeoastronomy, Samarkand Observatory.

______1. Assistant Professor of Conservation of Historical Buildings Department, Faculty of Architecture, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran. [email protected]

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Shekari Niri, J______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1): (77-93) Archive of SID Introduction The main queries that this research tries to throughout the world. While currently, most answer are: What has rock architecture advanced scientific centres and equipped (Figs. 8-9) got to do with ? Can observatories are located in the West, it is Maragheh astronomical units be used for important to note that the Maragheh reconstruction? The research method uses observatory was constructed when people survey, comparison, and analysis. did not even know of America. The great training-scientific complex Undoubtedly, it was the most perfect and of the Maragheh observatory was advanced observatory at that time. Some constructed on the top of a hill located on engineers, scientists and astronomers, such the western side of the city of Maragheh and as “Mohy al-Din-e Maghrebi, Fao under the supervision of the era’s famous G.,” and others, especially four scientists scientist, Khawaja Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, such as "Fakhr al-Din-e Maraghi, Najm al- known as “the king of scientists” in 657 Din-e Dabirān-e Qazwīnī, and Najm al-Din- H/1258 CE (Fig. 1). e Akhlāti, "Moid al-Din Orozi-e Dameshgi" Though, there were lots of famous invented new astronomical tools (Figs. 4, 12, schools in Maragheh before the construction 13) or improved the efficiency of previous of the observatory, its unique construction tools. This is confirmed by historical in the Azarbaijan province spread its glory narratives and available documents (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Astronomers in the Maragheh Observatory, Drawn by Behzad (jamjamshid.com, 2014: 1).

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An Inquiry into Maragheh Observatory: …______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1) Archive of SID The celestial , which was invented by Before Mongols attack, Maragheh “Orozi”, is kept at the German Dresden was a shining scientific centre in contrast to Museum, and the compass of the Maragheh others with tedious religious disputes. observatory is also kept at an English According to historical evidence, there was a museum (Varjavand, 1987: 329 & 322). minimum of seven major schools before the Some historians believe that the observatory 7th century: 1) “Mohy al-Din” School was constructed under the command of concurrent with the“ Niamey-e King “Holago” while some attribute its school” (second half of the fifth century design and construction to “Khawaja Nasir Hijri); 2) Mohy School (end of the fifth al-Din Tusi”. However, it’s clear that the century); 3) Atābak School (sixth century); design was executed by the first shining 4) “ Ezzyi-e school” (sixth and seventh of science during the Ilkhanid era, “Khawaja centuries) [this school was active while the Tusi”. Its construction lasted for 15 years observatory was being constructed and and “Khawaja” compiled his astronomical many professors attended it, such as surveys in a book called “Zig-e Ilkhani” “Moayyd al-Din-e Orozi-e Dameshghi” who (Halabi, 1971: 52). The need for studying the was a great engineer, physician, and Maragheh observatory arises because its mathematician, and he made many tools for construction is a scientific event in the the observatory]; 5) Sadrieh School: this Ilkhanid era in Azarbāijan. Also, it is both a school was active at the time of construction training and research complex comprising of the observatory and mentioned in the old Astronomy College as well as basic sciences book (when “Fakhr al-Din Abu Masood colleges, particularly dealing with Mansūr ibn-Mohammad Kazeroonī”, mathematics, , and medical famous scientist and physician of his sciences. This observatory is well-known century, came to Maragheh in 664 H/1265 throughout the world and professors and AD, “Khawaja Nasir al-din Tusi” thanked students from different parts of the world— him and directed him to the school); 6) from China to the western countries—have Mojahedieh School (active in the seventh studied and learned and researched here. century); 7) Ghāzi School was active in the The Maragheh observatory, therefore, was sixth and seventh centuries and some of its an international scientific centre. Then, its graduates were “Imam Fakhr -e Rāzi”, management methods included financial “Sheikh-e Eshrāgh”, and “Sohravardi”. It’s and scientific characteristics. It was similar interesting to note that a Jewish student to the “Rab-e Rashidī” training-scientific called “Samuel ebne Yahodie Maghrebi” was complex, which was constructed some 50 one of its professors. He was from years later. Every discipline was studied in “Andalusia” and was a great scientist, the latter complex excluding astronomy and physician, and mathematician. He was philosophy. Further, the effects of the famous throughout the world for maths and former complex were considerable to compiled many books on mathematics and develop human sciences in the world geometry, and passed away in Maragheh in through exchange and dissemination of 570. He, of course, converted to Islam later sciences. Scientific attainments of this (Tayyar, Maraghi, 1996: 75-77). The name complex were considered as reference of a scientist from a western country called throughout the world, from Asia to . “Mohayy al-Din Yahiya Maghrebī” could be

www.SID.ir Shekari Niri, J______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1): (77-93) Archive of SID seen amongst those of others in the excavations in the remains of the circular Maragheh observatory (Halabi, 1971: 52). city of Firoozabad (ShakiriNayeri, 2017: 93). A great scientist in this city indicates Recently, an observatory building was that the place was a scientific base of Iran in discovered during excavations in Bushehr. Azarbaijan even before construction of the One of the oldest examples of astronomical observatory. The observatory was objects excavated in the hill called Tonb-e constructed on the top of a hill called "Rasad Pargan, Jinnah City, an inner circular Daghi" (Fig. 2-3). To understand the structure, and an adjacent fence around it, importance of archaeoastronomy, we need finally a gutter that surrounds the entire to know that its goal is to understand how complex (Fig. 5). According to the sky-watchers of the past fashioned and exploration supervisor of Tonb-e Pargan, refined systems for regulating their the main part of the inner circular structure primitive calendars and for memorializing consists of a structure created with 20 rock celestial events, both cyclical and unique. masses, which was completely revealed in Often they relied on and shadow the recent explorations. He said the plays striking and passing across targets and diameter of the structure was 16.80 meters designs aligned with the Grand Octal. (Fig. 5). Between each of the building blocks, Sometimes the celestial cycles of the Moon, a port is located at an average height of 60 and Mars captivated their attention, cm, except for the distance between the two too. However, knowing seasonal durations sides, which is located on the south of the and transitions were vital to success in circular structure has a double width of the hunting migratory prey, planting crops and other ports, and is likely to be a circular harvesting them. Archaeoastronomy draws structure input. A smaller circular space of on several scientific disciplines, primarily 14 rock masses is also built in the middle of astronomy, archaeology, anthropology, the main circular structure. At the central psychology and epigraphy, the decoding of point of both circular spaces, a round ancient inscriptions (Fell, 2018: 1). column with a 160 cm diameter and a surviving height of 50 cm, whose outer Background surface is lined with plaster molding, is Despite the existence of valuable resources shown (Asadi, 2018).This device is very and reports on astronomical activities of similar to the Ram Yantra at the Delhi Iranians, there was no specimen of an Observatory (Susan, 2011: 145). The Iranian observatory, until the archaeological calendar and its history are widely excavation, removed the amnesia from its scrutinized by Arabic and Persian sources. ruins. The ruins of the discovered works These data mostly concern the Iranian make it possible for us to embody the calendar assumed during the Islamic age, original design of the observatory (Fig. 10). that is, the Yazdegardi calendar In recent archaeological excavations, the (Cristoforetti, 2014: 145). There are many construction of observatories at the historical sources on the history of the archaeological site of Sassanid and early observation facility since the early Islamic Islamic periods was discovered. An example period in Iran. In the year 950 AD (329 AH), of this is the astrophysical effect that a hugeparietal , was established Dietrich Huff discovered during the 2005 near Rey. At the time of Azd al-Dawlah

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An Inquiry into Maragheh Observatory: …______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1) Archive of SID Dailami in Shiraz, a number of astronomers, Observatory was built about twenty years including Abdul Rahman Sufi Razi (from before the Beijing Observatory of the Yuan Rey) conducted observations. In 994 AD, era. In 1267, Kublai Khân seems to have Khojandi, a 20 meters radius of meridian received an astronomer and instrument radical, was used to measure the deviation of maker called Jamâl al-Dîn (Chinese the altitudinal section on Mount Tabarak transliteration Zhamaluding) He offered near Rey, which was named after Fakhr al- models or depictions of seven astronomical Dawlah "Sades Fakhri" (Mozafari, 2009: 63- instruments of Islamic type (Chapman- 64). In 660 AH, the construction of the Rietschi, 1994: 27). However two Observatory's instruments was completed observatories in the Islamic period occupy a and scientists commissioned the recording special place in the : the of the observation data, which was the result Maragheh Observatory built in 1259 and the of a well-documented report called: -e Samarkand Observatory of 1424. The Ilkhani. This zij is one of the scientific Samarkand observatory which was based achievements of the observatory. Zij-e upon ideas from the Maragha Observatory, Ilkhani had for centuries a special reputation in turn became a model for an observatory in many of the territories - including China - built by Taqi al- Din in Istanbul in 1575 and and was translated into European language a group of observatories in north India (Fig. in 1997 (300 years after Tusi's death). The 11) in the 1720 (Heidarzadeh, 2009 : 160). oldest version of this zige is kept at the The revealing of the dimensions of the National Library of Paris (Big Bappaup, Maragheh observatory is owed to the 1391, Introduction). The Marâgheharcheological excavations of Parviz Observatory was built about twenty years Varjavand (Varjevand, 2003). before the Beijing Observatory of Yuan era. In 1267, Kublai Khân seems to have received Materials and Methods an astronomer and instrument maker called This research method of study was Jamâl al-Dîn (Chinese transliteration of archaeological and historical Zhamaluding). He offered models or documentation, analysis and comparing of depictions of seven astronomical astronomical works and remains. This study instruments of Islamic type (Chapman- surveyed Iranian astronomical monuments, Rietschi, 1994: 27). Hartner tried to identify which are located in many geographical the influence of Persian Astronomy in locations, especially in the city of Maragheh. China during the Mongol era, carrying out A glance at the Maragheh and Jaipur the construction of astronomical astronomical monuments, and historical observatory in China (Hartner, 1950: 41). documents, many similarities can be seen. The made by Muwayyad-al- Today, archeology faces unknown issues Din-al Urdi, is one of the oldest kept at that must be discovered. An analytical Dresden museum (Fig. 4) belonged to the comparison in this regard is currently the observatory of Marâgha. Al-Urdi was best practice. As such, the sources of this responsible for the construction of research is based on the study of historical astronomical instruments and wrote a discoveries of astronomical architecture, treatise on the use of the sources and historical texts of the past (Oesmann, 1997: 291-2). The Marâgha scientists in this field, and studies of today's

www.SID.ir Shekari Niri, J______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1): (77-93) Archive of SID scholars and the use of the World Wide properties. Other big observatories that fell Web. Using comparative study as the in the same league were the “Shanb-e research methodology, the study will focus ” observatory in , “” on "historical sources" and "detailed plan" as observatory in Samarkand, and “King two main architectural unites in Iranians Morad” observatory in Istanbul. observatory, other supporting instruments. Back then, the Maragheh observatory resulted in a new fashion. It’s Innovations and Research-Scientific said that one-tenth of endowed properties in Scope of Maragheh Observatory the “Holago” era was expensed in the Some researchers believe that the Maragheh Maragheh observatory (Varjāvand, observatory was the greatest scientific 1987:380). Another major characteristic of phenomenon before the Middle Ages this observatory was teaching activities. Europe. Renowned scientists such as Though the teaching method of Professor “Abdūl Salam” and others say that astronomers in old observatories was as this institute is the first real world master and pupil, the Maragheh observatory observatory (Tayyar, Maraghi, 1986:77). had a special approach and close attention As we know, the Maragheh was given to theoretical and math sciences observatory is the first Islamic institute as the base of astronomy (Sayili, 1977: 66- which was sponsored by endowed 61).

Table. 1. The Similarities of Iran and India's Astronomical Instruments (Author).

Ancient Sassanid Jaipur Astronomical Delhi Jantar Mantar, Ram Astronomical Device at Tonb- Instrument Ground Plan, Yantra a Pargan, Bastak, Hormozgan 1720. Province

The above-mentioned statements obviously in Tabriz in 618 H/1221 CE. People, represent that the scientific activities of the however, gave them gifts to appease and Maragheh observatory didn’t restrict itself to thereby saved themselves. They, therefore, the identified and discovered construction moved ahead to western regions and on the “Rasad daghi” hill but it included “Azarbaijan”. some schools and active academic centres as a part of the observatory central core. His writings declared that the Moghuls arrived

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An Inquiry into Maragheh Observatory: …______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1) Archive of SID

Fig. 2. Drawing Plan of Maragheh Observatory. Fig. 3. Drawing Plan of Maragheh Observatory by Etezad al-Saltaneh in 1859 (Rafiee, 1995: 447). Schindler, A.Houtumin 1880 (Wilber, 2003: F. 5).

Mongols, “Yaghout Hamavi” stayed there disputes, it was said that 12 is a more and hoped to develop their territory and valuable number amongst other numbers...] chose it as their capital and therefore, (Rashid al-din Fadhl Allah Hamedānī, Azarbaijan and its surrounding turned into 2535/1976: 773). Further, the Maragheh the greatest centre of culture and civilization observatory was demolished after the attack in Iran (Abbasi, 1995: 75). As evidence of “Agh Ghoyūnlū & Ale- Jalāyer” in shows, “Khawaje Nasir al Din” was “Azarbaijan” and its library was plundered appointed to establish the observatory and too. “Hamd Allah Mostoufi”, for instance, scientific centre. It was a great scientific visited the Maragheh observatory in 740 institute on astronomical activities and other H/1339 CE and wrote that the construction scientific researches, for example; teaching was demolished. The construction of maths, geography, and intellectual sciences. Samarkand observatory was started during It also included a library with over 400,000 the kingdom of “Ulugh Beg”, son of volumes. There is a written document that “Shahrokh Teimourid” in 824 H/1421 CE. confirms its presence in the “Oljaito” (800 solar calendar), and lasted for three kingdom. “Khawaje Rashid al-Din Fazl years. During his rule, Iran and Central Asia Allah” in this document expresses: [But the experienced a second period of the Eastern author (Moharrer) says that Fadhl Allah ibn . Abi al-Khayr ibn Ali..., Islamiv king took a According to a report of “Ghiyāth al-Din decision to go to Maragheh from “Ojān” for Jamshid Kāshāni”, a well- known Iranian hunting in 708 H/1308 CE. and he arrived mathematician and astronomer, he was safely with a number of waiters. During his appointed by King “Ulugh Beg” for

www.SID.ir Shekari Niri, J______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1): (77-93) Archive of SID “Samarkand” in order to complete the His report indicated that some elements of construction of its observatory. Letters the Maragheh observatory were available at which Kāshāni wrote to his father have that time: [nobody informed me that why survived. These were written from this“geometrical chair” is located in the Samarkand and give a wonderful description middle of the Maragheh observatory and of the scientific life there. The contents of what does it do? (Rafiee, 1995: 442-447). In one of these letters, has only recently been 1019 H/1610 CE, Shah Abbas appointed published. (Bāgheri.1992:241-256). some scientists and astronomers to observatory in “Delhi” and “Jaipur”

Fig. 4. Maragheh Observatory Celestial Globe at Dresden Made by Urdi (Oesmann, 2002: 295).

“Khawaje Nasir al-Din Tusi” was born in is because he has used the Arabic word “Khorasan” in 597 and passed away in 672 “Entahara”. H/1274 CE in “Baghdad” and his tomb is in “Kazemein” near the tomb of Imam Mosa Rock-cut Architectural Units of Kazem (Peace be upon him). Old texts Maragheh Observatory Hill indicate that he was taught by “Bahmanyar Some excavated spaces inside the rocks are Ibn Marzban Azarbaijani”, one of “Ebne obvious evidences located on the west side Sina pupils” (Halabi; 1971: 52). (According of the Maragheh observatory hill (Fig. 6). to the statements of Abdullah Ghochani and "There is a big crypt on the hill which opens a document from “Ebne Fouti”, librarian of toward the west. There are many holes and the Maragheh observatory, it is possible that paths inside the crypt and there are also two Khawaje Nasir al-Din killed himself and this big plates, which include tomb symbols"

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An Inquiry into Maragheh Observatory: …______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1) Archive of SID (Rafiee, 1995: 457- 460). With regard to the temples in China and India and activities architectural units of Maragheh like gift presentation and incense burning observatory’s rock hill, he mentioned two are conducted there. Since this platform was volumes inside the temple with two-pitched an integrated volume with its bottom inside roof. He also mentioned a tomb symbol the rock, it produces were located on two which is a platform for religious formalities sides. (Fig.7). They may frequently be seen in

Fig. 5. Tonb-e Pargan, Bastak, Sassanid Era, (Memarabashi, IRNA, 2017).

Fig 6. Entrance View from Rock Hill.

Fig. 7. Indoor Space of Temple, West Side.

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Fig. 8. Plan of “Rasad Daghi” Rock Temple - First Floor.

. Fig. 9. Plan of “Rasad Dāghi” Temple’s Basement.

Fig. 10. Site Plan of Maragheh Observatory 657H/1259CE) (Varjavand, 1977: 169).

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Fig. 11. Site Plan of Jaipur Observatory in India (1727 AD) (Rajavat, 1995: 38).

Fig. 12. Circles Around the Foundation of the Instrument No. 11.

About two volumes of rock temple, one of spaces don’t have any specific functions. them is toward the west and the other Meandering underground corridors have no toward the north. They are now intact due direct connection with the observatory. to their rock structures (Fig.7), and have Since the overall design and interior volume always been, the most important places to of these temples are non-traditional, they visit amongst the remainders of observatory certainly may be the outcome of excavation after its destruction (Fig. 8). What is (Fig. 3&6). interesting is that both the aforesaid The northern space includes an volumes have a tunnel shape entrance as a adytum inside the south wall and it might steep and spiral path. These paths have been have been constructed next. There are excavated in the form that turns around the cavities of the size of a common bowl in the temple and ends into a small space with box-form volume and in the middle of pitch darkness. The western underground volumes which the author had seen on its path is more complex and is located three burnt walls in 1992. Though various tribes meters below the temple (Fig. 9). Such and religions cooperated on scientific

www.SID.ir Shekari Niri, J______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1): (77-93) Archive of SID activities in this complex (Christians, Jewish, centre. “Rashid al-Din” continued his story Buddhist, and Muslims), these spaces are about the sulphurous drugs and how related to religious architecture of China “ Khan” took quicksilver owing to and Mongol in east. These spaces might not order of “Bakhshian”,* and the beginning of have had any scientific functions but his ailment: “Arghun” strongly believed in witnessed old religious actions, beliefs, and “Bakhshian” and their methods, and he astronomy such as projection etc., which are always encouraged them. One day, a considered non-scientific aspects of “Bakhshi” came from India and claimed that astronomy science. They, however, were he could increase one’s lifespan. On asking constructed necessarily and under request, about its method, he took the name of a order, and requirement of the dominant special drug. “Arghun Khan” again asked tribe. A long them, there are many tombs him whether the drug was available there. and a well, which is over forty metres deep. He answered: yes. So he ordered for the drug The attendance of religious followers of to be prepared. So the “Bakhshi” composed China and Khatā’ī Moghols was inevitable a drug from sulphur and quicksilver and he during the Ilkhanid era. History also took it for about eight months and ... confirms their attendance. China and (Rashid al-Din, 1994: 1179). Rashid al-Din Mongol formalities involve special spaces also reminds us about a discussion with a and specific customary rock temples that Buddhist clergy in the “Arghun” period can be found a lot in India and China for indicating their attendance and power in the Buddhist religious formalities. The presence Ilkhanid (Mozaffari& Zotti, 2013: 79). court of a platform in the middle of the space [One day, a “Bakhshi” who was the indicates religious formalities of Buddhist attendant of the great King “Arghun Khan” religion (Fig. 6). asked me whether chicken was derived from The presence of adytum inside a egg or vice versa. He intended to test me and space also indicates its application by thought I don’t know its answer. While I Christians and Iranian Sufis. There are never heard such a question before, I many reports in various historical books stopped for a while and answered him about the Buddhist clergy attendance in the correctly, thanks to god’s blessing. (Rashid Moghul court, and the first Ilkhanid kings al-Din; 1994) & (Latayef al-Haghayegh: were Buddhist until the “Arghoon” period. 261). One of these reports is available in “Rashid al-Din” frequently confirms the books “Jame al-Tavarikh” and “Latayef the attendance of Buddhist clergy in the al -Haghayegh”. Papers of “Rashid al-Din” Maragheh observatory. Rock-architectural indicate his indignation for traditions and designs on the “Rasad Daghi” skirt relate to beliefs and the behaviours of “Bakhshian” religious formalities and customs of *[The fourth “Arghun Khan” came to “Bakhshian” (Fig. 8, 9). Maragheh in 688 and went to the observatory and started taking black drug] (Rashid al-Din; 1994:1176). This statement of “Rashid al-Din” about a “Bakhshi” (Buddhist clergy) indicates the presence of a famous Buddhist clergy and scientist in this

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Fig. 13. Urdi's Book, Observatory Divice, MS Istanbul, Ahmet ΙΙΙ, 3329 (Sezgin, 2010:41).

Finally, we touch upon the topic of construction of these two rock temple, “Vinson's” visit from Maragheh rock temple which includes spiral corridors spaces along during Naser al-Din Shah (a Qajar king) in a vertical axis or centre with some 1880 and his thesis about its rock temple. metres of thickness inside the rock. The What is more interesting is his thesis was corridors ended to the last underground well-known among Muslims and Christians room and were so narrow that one has to of “Maragheh” and the Christian clergy lived cross it crawling. What are interesting and there for a while too. He wrote:[It was surprising are the digging and routing concluded from various references that “the operations in these narrow and dark Nestorians“ tribe had an institute in this city corridors, and transferring constructional during the rule of the “Timor”. I went to materials in those days (Fig. 6). Though its visit the greatest rock temple; the first plans were discovered through room’s size was 40 steps by 15 steps. There archaeological excavations, its architectural was a stone rock at the end of a room and design was unclear. Recent findings were there was a big adytum on it. I guessed this achieved through the comparison of some was temple’s prayer space. There are also available astronomical constructions in the some rooms along the aforesaid prayer place Samarkand and Jaipur observatory of India and some of them were drawn toward many (Table 2). It resulted in the idea that since other small rooms (Fig. 8). I crawled inside the Maragheh observatory was constructed one of the spiral corridors, 60 steps five centuries ago, its astronomical designs downward. The corridor ended to a room were modelled in other places including the which seems to be an old monks’ place Samarkand and Jaipur observatory of India (Taheri, 1968: 169-170). Wilson describes (Table 1). Its complete results will be his visit to corridors and rooms under the published in the near future. small rooms inside a soft rock under the surface temple. Conclusion Underground spaces were located This research concluded with three results around a vertical axis. It is a terrific expressed below briefly:

www.SID.ir Shekari Niri, J______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1): (77-93) Archive of SID The Moghols selected their capitals precisely Mughal India like, the Jaipur, Delhi and and they commonly considered technical Ojin. Astronomical designs were modelled studies and basic principles while selecting a in other places including Samarkand and place as capital. So, it is necessary to Jaipur. Its complete results will be published reconsider traditional and weak comments. in the near future. For instance, Maragheh was selected as the Though functions of rock capital because it was close to develop architectural units on the western side of conquests in the west territory, while in fact “Jame al-Tavarikh” indicated similarity with there were many other such cities than temples in the east and south Asia and India, Maragheh. for instance, the forty nights’ residence of Before Moghols attack, Maragheh “Arghun Khan” and taking long- life drugs was seen as a scientific centre and it, under the prescript of a “Bakhshi” (Buddhist therefore, was selected as an observatory clergy) resulted in his death after eight owing to a great location to observe the sky months. These documents indicate the and . function of this place as a temple for Historical documents indicate that traditional religious and strange practices there were five tomb towers in “Kaboud among the Mongols. This temple contains Gonbad Maragheh” and some of them were two completely dark spaces of residence for Abbasi Caliph’s tombs. As per my recent forty nights and they include spiral archaeological findings and dialogues corridors, which were located precisely in between authors and “Dr. Noubari”, they the gravity centre of the foresaid temple. confirmed the above-mentioned evidences. These are completely light-isolated places These, however, are evidences of indicating that ceremonies were held in Maragheh’s political position before perfect darkness by “Bakhshis” or followers Moghols attack. Well-known scientific of the “Shaman” religion. Astronomical schools inside the city indicate scientific research and scientific units of the position of the city before the “Hulaku Maragheh observatory were located on the Khan” kingdom. This study sheds light on hill.By incorporating archaeological the complete design of the “Maragheh” evidence, the main scientific manuscripts observatory as well as functions of its like Kashani and the transverse and astronomical units. The observatory was compared with existing observatories like equipped with a variety of instruments, India, we can rebuild scientific destruction which accounted for the largest part of its centers like Maragheh observatory. By scientific measurement. The Maragheh incorporating archaeological evidence, the Observatory is the oldest and largest one in main scientific manuscripts like Kashani the Ilkhanid era. The Maragheh Observatory and the transverse and compared with has had a great impact in the astronomy existing observatories like India, we can world like the one in Samarkand.The rebuild scientific destruction centers like Samarkand observatory was much more Maragheh Observatory. important for its influence on astronomy in

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Table. 2. Comparison of Circular Astronomical Observatory Architecture’s Maragheh Materials with Similar Units in Indian Jaipur Observatory known as “Digansa Yantra” and “Ram Yantra”. Astronomical Units Image Section Plan

Maragheh Observatory (Dhā al- Ostuvānateyn) (Diameter: 8/35 m) Construction date: 657 H/ 1258 AD Owning two cylinders Jaipur Observatory Digansa Yantra (Diameter: 8 m) Construction date :1718- 28(Sharma,1995:121)

Maragheh Observatory Dhā al-Samtewa-l- Ertefā’ (Diameter: 4.10 m) Date of construction of 657 H/ 1258 AD

Jaipur Observatory Ram Yantra (Diameter: 6.95 m) Date of construction: 1718-28

References edited by Gh. Tāher, Volume I, Tehran University [1] Abbāsi, J., (1995). "The Ilkhanid Schools, Press. Knowledge Link and Endowment" ; Mirās-e [7] Hartner, Willy, (1950)."The Astronomical Jāvidān, 10: 74-86. Instrument of Cha-ma-lu-ting, their Identification, [2] Chapman-Rietschi, P. A. L., (1994). The Beijing and Their Relations to the Instruments of the Ancient Observatory and Intercultural Contacts, Observatory of Maragha."Isis: A Journal of the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, 41:184-194. Vol. 88, NO. 1/FEB, P. 24, 1994. [8] Heidarzadeh,Tofigh, (2010). Islamic astronomy in [3]Bāgheri, M., (1997). A newly found letter of al- Heritage sight of Astronomy and Archeoastronomy Kashi on scientific life in Samarkand, Historia in Context of The UNESCO World Heritage Math.24: 3: 241-256. Convention, published by ICOMOS, Paris, France: [4] Cristoforetti, Simon, (2014). On the Era of 156-168. Yazdegard ΙΙΙ and the Cycles of the Iranian Solar [9] Kashani, Gh. J., (1996). Az Samarqand be Kāshān, calendar, Annali di ca' Foscari, Vol.50-Dicember, (From Samarkand to Kashan): Ghiyāth al-Din 2014: 143-156. Jamshid Kashani's letters to his father, edited by [5]Halabi, A. A., (1971). "Khwāje Nasir al-Din Tūsi", Mohammad Bagheri, Tehran, Scientific and Cultural Journal of Effort (Talāsh), Tehran, 28: 50-60. Publications Company. [6] Hamedani, R.F., (1976). Latāyef al-Haqāyeq,

www.SID.ir Shekari Niri, J______Intl. J. Humanities (2018) Vol. 25 (1): (77-93) Archive of SID [10] Mozafari, Mohammad, (2009). Observations of Maragheh " Islamic Heritage of Iran, by Rasūl, the Islamic World, Book of Science and Technology, Jafariān's Efforts, Vol. II, Ayatollāh Marashī-e- Najafi No. 113: 62-73, Tehran Library Publications,1: 442-457. [11] Mozaffari, S. Mohammad,Zotti, Georg (2013). [21] Rajawat, D. S., (1995). Astronomical The Observational Instruments at the Maragha Observatory of Jaipur, India. Jaipur, Delta Observatory after AD 1300, Suhayl 12 (2013):45-179. publications. [12]Nasir al-Din Tusi, Muhammad ibn Muhammad, [22] Sayili, A., (1977). "Khāwaje Nasir al-Din Tusi 2012, Zije Ilkhani Transcript, by and Maragheh observatory", Yādnāmehye Khawaje YousefBaigBabaPour and MassoudGholamie, Nasir al-Din Tusi, vol. 1, Tehran University Press, Publisher: Islamic Reserve Assembly, Library, [23]Varjāvand, P., (1987). Exploring the Maragheh Museum and Document Center of Islamic Observatory, Tehran, Amir Kabir Publications. Consultative Assembly, . [24] Nath Sharma, V., (1995). Sawai Jai Singh II and [13] Oestmann, Günter, (1997). Measuring and His Astronomy, Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass Publisher. dating the Arabic celestial globe at Dresden, [25]UNESCO Minakshi. (2010). Nomination of 298Scientific Instruments and Museums: Proceedings Jantar Mantar, Jaipur for inclusion on World of the XXth International Congress of History of Heritage List, Department of Art and Culture, Science (Liège, 20-26 July 1997) Vol. XVI: 291-298. Government of Rajasthan. [14] Sezgin, F. Neubauer, Eckhard,Translated by Renate Sarma and Sreeramula Rajeswara Sarma Web Resources: Science and Technology in Islam. Vol.2. Part II, [26]Arian, M., (2002). Tower of Radkan or Old Solar Observatories (Continued), Instruments of the Observatory, http://www.jamejamshid.com/ Observatories of Maragha and Istanbul, Instruments radkan.htm, Access 2013. of Tycho Brahe, Instruments of the Observatories of [27]Asadi, Ali, (2018). The use of the mysterious Samarkand, Jaipur, and Delhi (24-77), 2010. Sassanid Era Remains Unknown. Ana News Agency, [15] ShakariNayeri, Javad, (1395). Determination of Tuesday, http://www.ana.ir/news/383612. April 4, the Performance and Architectural Design of 2018, Access. Astronomical Archeological Units in Maragheh [28]Fell, Barry, (2008). our definition of Observatory, Archaeological Studies », Autumn and Archaeoastronomy, Winter, 1395, 8th Edition –No.2, Scientific-Research, http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/ 2018, Access 91 to 109. 2018. [16] Tāher,Gh.(1978). Latāyef al-haqāyeq, edited by [29]Jantar Mantar, (2016). The Observatory of Sawai Volume II, Tehran University Press. [17]Roshan, Jai Singh II,http://www.tracyanddale .50megs.com/ Mohammad, 1994, Jāme al-Tavārikh, Edited..., Vol. India/Rajasthan/HTML/JantarMantar.html, Access II, Tehran, Alborz Printing & Publishing, 2016. [18] Maraghi, T., (1996). "Schools and Scientific [30] UNESCO, (2010) World Heritage Centre..The Centers of Maragheh" Waqf; Mirās-e Jāvidān, 2: 14: Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, http://whc 176-179. unesco.org/en/list/1338, Access 2014. [19] Taheri, A., (1968), geography of Gīylan, [31] Perlus, B., (2005). Architecture in the Service of Māzandarān and from the Perspective of Science, The Astronomical Observatories of Jai Singh Tourists, Tehran, published by the Central Council. II, 1-9, www.jantarmantar.org. [20]Rafiee, A., (1995)." Observatory and Zige of

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ﺟﺴﺘﺎری در ﺑﻘﺎﯾﺎی رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﻪ ﻣﺮاﻏﻪ ﻧﺨﺴﺘﯿﻦ ﺑﻨﯿﺎد ﺑﯿﻦ اﻟﻤﻠﻠﯽ ﻋﻠﻤﯽ ﭘﮋوهﺸﯽ ﻋﺼﺮ اﯾﻠﺨﺎﻧﯽ

ﺟﻮاد ﺷﮑﺎری١

ﺗﺎرﯾﺦ درﯾﺎﻓﺖ: ١٨/١٠/١٣٩۶ ﺗﺎرﯾﺦ ﭘﺬﯾﺮش: ٢۵/۴/١٣٩٧

ﭼﮑﯿﺪه رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﻪ ﻣﺮاﻏﻪ ﺑﺮ ﺗﭙﮥ ﺑﺴﯿﺎر وﺳﯿﻊ و ﻣﺮﺗﻔﻌﯽ ﺑﻨﺎ ﺷﺪه اﺳﺖ ﮐﻪ در ﻣﺤﻞ، ﺑﺪان «رﺻﺪ ﻣﺮاﻏﯽ» ﺑﻪ ﻣﻌﻨﯽ ﮐﻮه رﺻﺪ اﻃﻼق ﻣﯽﺷﻮد. واﺣﺪهﺎی ﻧﺠﻮﻣﯽ و ﯾﮏ ﺳﺮی آﺛﺎر ﻣﻌﻤﺎری ﺻﺨﺮهای در آن ﻣﮑﺎن ﯾﺎﻓﺖ .اﻣﺎ ﺗﻔﺴﯿﺮهﺎی ﻣﺘﻔﺎوﺗﯽ درﺑﺎرۀ آﺛﺎر ﯾﺎﻓﺖﺷﺪه اراﯾﻪ ﻣﯽﺷﺪ. در ﺳﺎﺧﺘﻤﺎن اﯾﻦ رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﻪ و اﻣﻮرات آن داﻧﺸﻤﻨﺪان ﺑﺰرﮔﯽ از ﺳﺮاﺳﺮ ﺟﻬﺎن از ﻣﻐﺮب و اﻧﺪﻟﺲ ﺗﺎ ﮐﺸﻮر ﭼﯿﻦ ﻣﺸﺎرﮐﺖ داﺷﺘﻨﺪ و ﺑﻪدﻟﯿﻞ ﺗﮑﺎﻣﻞ و ﭘﯿﺸﺮﻓﺖهﺎی آن در ﻋﺮﺻﮥ ﻋﻠﻢ ﻧﺠﻮم از ﻃﺮحهﺎی ﻧﺠﻮﻣﯽ آن در ﺳﺎﺧﺘﻤﺎن ﺑﺴﯿﺎری از رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﻪهﺎی ﺟﻬﺎن اﻟﮕﻮﺑﺮداری ﺷﺪه اﺳﺖ ازﺟﻤﻠﻪ رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﻪ ﺳﻤﺮﻗﻨﺪ و رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﮥ ﻗﺮن ١٧ ﺟﯿﭙﻮر هﻨﺪ ﮐﻪ ﻧﻤﻮﻧﻪهﺎی ﺑﺎرز و اﺛﺒﺎت ﺷﺪهای هﺴﺘﻨﺪ. ﺑﺎ اﻧﺠﺎم ﻣﻘﺎﯾﺴﻪهﺎی ﻻزم ﻃﺮح ﮐﺎﻣﻞ ﭘﻼنهﺎی ﮐﺸﻒﺷﺪه ﻧﻤﻮﻧﻪهﺎی ﻣﺬﮐﻮر، ﺑﺮﺧﯽ از واﺣﺪهﺎی رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﻪ ﻣﺮاﻏﻪ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﺑﺎزﺳﺎزی ﺑﻮده و ﮐﺎرﺑﺮی واﻗﻌﯽ آﺛﺎر ﻧﯿﺰ ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﺑﺎزﺷﻨﺎﺳﯽ ﺷﺪﻧﺪ. اﯾﻦ رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﻪ ﺑﺮﺧﻼف هﻤﺰاد ﺧﻮد در ﺳﻤﺮﻗﻨﺪ و ﺟﯿﭙﻮر ﮐﻤﺘﺮ ﺑﻪ ﺟﻬﺎﻧﯿﺎن ﻣﻌﺮﻓﯽ ﺷﺪه اﺳﺖ. روﯾﮑﺮد اﯾﻦ ﭘﮋوهﺶ ﺗﺤﻠﯿﻠﯽ ﻣﻘﺎﯾﺴﻪای ﻣﺒﺘﻨﯽ ﺑﺮ ﺑﺮرﺳﯽهﺎی ﺑﺎﺳﺘﺎنﺷﻨﺎﺳﯽ ﺟﻬﺖ ﺑﺎزﺷﻨﺎﺳﯽ ﺑﺮﺧﯽ از واﺣﺪهﺎی ﻧﺠﻮﻣﯽ رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﻪ و ﺷﻨﺎﺧﺖ ﮐﺎرﺑﺮی واﻗﻌﯽ آﺛﺎر و ﺑﻘﺎﯾﺎی آن ﺑﻪوﯾﮋه واﺣﺪهﺎی ﻣﻌﻤﺎری ﺻﺨﺮهای اﺳﺖ. ﻣﻘﺎﻟﻪ ﺳﻌﯽ دارد ﺑﻪ ﺳﺌﻮاﻻت ﻣﺘﺪاول درﺑﺎرۀ ﻧﻮع و وﺳﻌﺖ ﮐﺎرﺑﺮی واﻗﻌﯽ آﺛﺎر و ﻣﺎهﯿﺖ و ﭼﮕﻮﻧﮕﯽ آﻧﻬﺎ ﺑﺮ اﺳﺎس اﺳﻨﺎد و ﻣ ﺪ ا رک ﺑﺎﺳﺘﺎنﺷﻨﺎﺧﺘﯽ ﭘﺎﺳﺦ دهﺪ.

واژههﺎی ﮐﻠﯿﺪی: رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﻪ ﻣﺮاﻏﻪ، ﺟﻨﺘﺮ ﻣﻨﺘﺮ، ﻣﻌﺒﺪ ﺻﺨﺮهای ﺑﺨﺸﯿﺎن، ﺑﺎﺳﺘﺎنﺳﺘﺎرهﺷﻨﺎﺳﯽ، رﺻﺪﺧﺎﻧﮥ ﺳﻤﺮﻗﻨﺪ.

______١. اﺳﺘﺎدﯾﺎر ﻣﻌﻤﺎری، داﻧﺸﮑﺪۀ ﻣﻌﻤﺎری، داﻧﺸﮕﺎه ﺑﯿﻦاﻟﻤﻠﻠﯽ اﻣﺎم ﺧﻤﯿﻨﯽ، ﻗﺰوﯾﻦ، اﯾﺮان. [email protected]

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