| Shāh-é-Chérāgh | |
|---|---|
| شاه چراغ | |
 Shāh Cherāgh | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Twelver Shi'ism |
| Location | |
| Location | Shiraz, Fars province, Iran |
  Shown within IranShow map of Iran Shah Cheragh (Middle East)Show map of Middle East Shah Cheragh (West and Central Asia)Show map of West and Central Asia | |
| Geographic coordinates | 29°36′34.6″N 52°32′35.9″E / 29.609611°N 52.543306°E / 29.609611; 52.543306 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | mausoleum, mosque |
| Style | Persian, Safavid, Qajar |
| Completed | 13th century |
| Specifications | |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Minaret(s) | 2 |
Shah Cheragh (Persian: شاه چراغ) is a 12th-century funerary monument and religious complex located in Shiraz, Iran. It is centred around the mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad, the son of Musa al-Kazim, who is known as Shah Cheragh (King of the Light) in local traditions, and hence the building is named as such. The site is the 363rd national monument of Iran.
History of Shah Cheragh
The first structure over the grave of Sayyid Ahmad ibn Musa was built in the 13th century during the rule of the Salghurids, by the minister, a former Buyid prince. He built a domed mausoleum over the grave and a porch. Local folklore tells that the grave was found when a light appeared over it, which caught the attention of the people, who told the minister about what they had seen. The mausoleum stayed in that state for several years until the rule of the Injuids. During that time, female Injuid monarch, Queen Tash Khatun, further expanded the structure.
During Safavid rule in the 16th century, the building was extensively renovated. Then in the 18th century, Nader Shah Afshar donated a golden chandelier, which was hung under the dome. But a few years later, an earthquake struck Shiraz, and the complex of Shah Cheragh was heavily damaged by the tremors. The golden chandelier was lost during this time. But a year after the earthquake had passed, a man named Qandeel found some remains of the donated gold, which he used to fund the reconstruction of the Shah Cheragh funerary monument.
During the Qajar period, several repairs were made to the building. A silver zarih was also installed around the grave.
Architecture
The religious complex consists of a mosque and the mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad. A museum for ancient works is also situated in the complex.
The mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad is topped by a large dome. The mausoleum itself is made of plaster and stone. Around his grave, a silver zarih is visible.
The dome over the mausoleum contains a lot of mirror work on the interior. It is a Qajar period construction as well, and it replaces the original Safavid era dome which was destroyed in the earthquake. It has a metal skeleton as well. Persian calligraphy lines the base of the dome.
Museum
The museum located within the Shah Cheragh complex was established in 1925 in a corner of the shrine. In this museum, at least 600 pieces of pottery and clay artwork are stored, as well as several coins from the Parthian and Sassanian periods. Also inside the museum are weapons (such as swords) from the Safavid and Qajar periods. Several examples of manuscripts and documents are archived in there as well.
Mass kill by gun in 2022
Main article: Shah Cheragh massacreOn 26 October 2022, at least 15 people were killed in a mass shooting at the complex of Shah Cheragh. The three attackers are described by Iranian state media as apparently being takfiri terrorists. Two attackers have been arrested; the other is at large. Later the same day, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. The Iranian authorities said that the attackers are not Iranian nationals. Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency stated that children are among the dead. The United Nations have condemned the attack on the religious site.
Gallery
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Shah Cheragh at night
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The dome of Shah Cheragh
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The prayer hall of the mosque in the Shah Cheragh complex
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The tomb of Mir Muhammad in the mausoleum
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Tomb of Queen Tash Khatun in the southern side of the complex
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See also
References
- ^ "چرا به امامزاده احمدبن موسی شاهچراغ در شیراز، شاه چراغ می گویند؟". beytoote.com. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ "حرم شاهچراغ (ع): معرفی حرم امامزاده احمد بن موسی + تاریخچه و آدرس". ایرانگرد (in Persian). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ https://www.eligasht.com/Blog/travelguide/%D8%A2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87-%DA%86%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%BA/amp/
- "Fifteen killed in attack on Shia mausoleum in southern Iran". BBC News. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- "Attack on Shiraz shrine kills 15: Iranian state media". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- ^ "Iran: gunmen kill at least 15 people at Shia shrine in Shiraz". The Guardian. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- "UN condemns Shiraz terrorist attack". Islamic Republic News Agency English. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
External links
- Photos
- The Mausoleum of Shah-e-Cheragh Archived 18 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- Video of the inside
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