AZERBAIJANI ARCHITECTURE IN THE TIMES OF ILKHANIANS

AZERBAIJANI ARCHITECTURE IN THE TIMES OF ILKHANIANS

The establishment of Ilkhanian state in the middle of the 13th century was an indicator of important developments in Azerbaijani history, as well as a new page in the Azerbaijani culture.

Under the reign of Holakou Khan (1256-65), who was the founder of Ilkhanian dynasty who respected science, the first observatory of the country was established in Maragha city. The transfer of the state capital to Tabriz at that time, made this city important and made it a center for art and artists. As a result of these developments settlements such as Arquniyyeh, Qazaniyyeh and Rashidiyye were established around Tabriz. Ilkhanians were famous for their Rashidiyye Institution which was constructed by the Vizier of Qazan Khan, Rashideddi.  In Rashidiyye , which was known as an academy or city of education, there were 24 caravanserais, 1500 stores, 30.000 houses, theological schools, 2 large bookshops, Turkish baths, vineyards, mills, atelier to produce wools and paper, paint houses, mints, 2 mosques and other buildings. Rashidiyye  was actually famous for its architectural buildings such as Kubbe (Rashidaddin Mausoleum), Dar-ul Sifa (Recovery House) Hospital, Abadsaray Vineyard-Palace Complex. One of the magnificent architectures of that time was Alishah Mosque (14th century) in Tabriz and Oljaytu Khodabandeh Mausoleum (1305-13) in Sultaniyye. Both of the buildings were constructed by Tajaddin Alishah Tabrizi (he was also the architect of those buildings) who was the Vizier of Ilkhanli ruler Oljaytu Mohammad Khodabande. Afterwards the magnificent Alishah Mosque, which is known as the Castle of Arc, and splendid Sultaniyye Mausoleum inspired many architectural works of art. In the architecture of the mosque and schools, which were constructed by Timur in Samarghant, the Alishah Mosque was taken as an example. A century after the construction of Oljaytu Khodabande Mausoleum, on the dome of Santa Maria Del Fiore Church in Florence constructed by Italian architect F. Brunelleski, the constructive principles and styles of Soltaniyyeh Mausoleum were seen. One of the most beautiful works of art of 15th century in the Tabriz school of architecture is Goy Mosque (1465, Architect Kajeh Ali Gujaji, Carver Namatoullah Albavvab) in Tabriz. The architectural style, monumental dome,  quad spacious living room, Greek and geometrical embroideries, carved decorations and decorative epitaphs of Goy Mosque, which was named as “Turquoise of Islam”, showed the high level of development of Azerbaijani architecture-engineering art of 15th century.

By the establishment of the Safevi State in the end of 15th century and at the beginning of 16th century and the declaration of Tabriz as the capital, the political and economical life of Azerbaijan was centralized in the south of this holy region. At that time, with the fostering of cities, important developments took place. In the Azerbaijani architecture, the situation of Tabriz was strengthened. The one on one natural and architecture connection in the works of art, the compound composition of works of art, the structure of magnificent domes, the pleasant use of cutting and carving methods, the use of epitaphs and inscriptions on the buildings are indicators of the developments in these art concepts. In the 15th-16th centuries, the Azeri architects and painters worked in other countries and created important and precious works of art in various cities.

It is easy to see the trace of Azeri architecture in the architectural works in Bursa, Cairo, Baghdad, Damirkapi (Darband), Herat, Samarghand and other cities.