Handicrafts of Great Khorasan

Handicrafts of Great Khorasan

Continuity of the Seljuk Tradition in Eastern Greater Khorasan: A Case Study of Two Ghurid Brick Monuments in Chisht-e Sharif

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism Planning, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
The Ghurid dynasty (1148–1215 AD) managed to dominate parts of the eastern Islamic lands for nearly half a century. Initially under the influence of the Ghaznavids and later the Seljuks, the Ghurids adopted significant aspects of their bureaucratic structure and artistic and architectural styles through political and administrative ties. The relations between the Ghurids and the Seljuks—both during the period of subordination and the era of Ghurid independence—were always active and influential, especially in religious and architectural realms. Chisht-e Sharif, a district of Herat and the birthplace of the Chishti Sufi sect, is a prominent example of this mutual influence. In this region, two semi-ruined brick structures are located within the Chishti shrine complex. Despite their unknown identity, they exhibit significant features of the Seljuk architectural tradition. This research aims to identify the structure and characteristics of these two buildings and to analyze their role in the continuity of Islamic architecture in eastern Iran. The research method is descriptive-analytical with a historical approach, based on library and documentary studies. Findings indicate that these buildings not only reflect the continuation of formal and structural elements of Seljuk architecture during the Ghurid era but also represent a cultural exchange between Iran and Afghanistan in the medieval Islamic centuries. The religious status of Chisht-e Sharif also enhances the significance of these structures in linking architecture with Sufism.
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  • Receive Date 03 February 2025
  • Revise Date 25 February 2025
  • Accept Date 06 April 2025