University of Kashan Journal of Iranian Architecture Studies 2252-0635 12 24 2024 02 20 Dar-ul-Ihsan Mosque and Madrasa of Sanandaj: Original Design and Architectural Alterations Dar-ul-Ihsan Mosque and Madrasa of Sanandaj: Original Design and Architectural Alterations 27 53 114244 10.22052/jias.2024.252775.1191 FA Kamyar Naqsh-bandi M.A., Iranian Architecture Studies, Shahid Beheshti University Zahra Ahari Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University Hadi Safaei-pour Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University Journal Article 2023 04 19 The Dar-ul-Ihsan Mosque and Madrasa, which is among the most significant monuments in Sanandaj, was built between 1226 and 1232 SH by order of Amanullah Khan Ardalan who was then the governor of Kurdistan. Some evidence in the building indicates that it was altered over time, differing from the original design. Despite some scholarly work, no study has been conducted about its original design and architectural alterations. The present research focuses on the identification, analysis, and interpretation of the building’s original design and its transformations over time, employing a combination of a historical and a case study strategy. For this purpose, after surveying the building's existing condition, all evidence regarding interventions in the building were collected by referring to historical sources including conservation reports, historical photographs, architectural and urban drawings, historical textual references, inscriptions, and the building itself. Data collation and analysis indicate that the building transformations and related historical events can be divided into three stages.<br />In the first phase (1226-1232 SH), after completed construction, the structure underwent changes, the most significant being its conversion into the Jami‘ Mosque of Sanandaj, which led to the expansion of the prayer hall. In the next phase (1232-1351 SH), the building remained largely unchanged. However, due to some problems with its administration, the building suffered deterioration, after which the minarets were reconstructed in 1343 SH. In the recent phase (1311-1401 SH), a small section on the southern side of the building was demolished during a street construction project in 1311 SH. By 1314 SH, the building was restored and repositioned along the new street. Since then, the structure has remained unchanged, and almost all restoration works have been aimed at preservation, especially after the building's registration on Iran’s National Heritage List in 1327 SH. Finally, these findings enable the evaluation of hypotheses proposed by previous scholars, such as the building originally being a Jami‘ mosque, the possibility of the incomplete construction, and the similarity of its spatial organization with local mosques of Kurdistan. The Dar-ul-Ihsan Mosque and Madrasa, which is among the most significant monuments in Sanandaj, was built between 1226 and 1232 SH by order of Amanullah Khan Ardalan who was then the governor of Kurdistan. Some evidence in the building indicates that it was altered over time, differing from the original design. Despite some scholarly work, no study has been conducted about its original design and architectural alterations. The present research focuses on the identification, analysis, and interpretation of the building’s original design and its transformations over time, employing a combination of a historical and a case study strategy. For this purpose, after surveying the building's existing condition, all evidence regarding interventions in the building were collected by referring to historical sources including conservation reports, historical photographs, architectural and urban drawings, historical textual references, inscriptions, and the building itself. Data collation and analysis indicate that the building transformations and related historical events can be divided into three stages.<br />In the first phase (1226-1232 SH), after completed construction, the structure underwent changes, the most significant being its conversion into the Jami‘ Mosque of Sanandaj, which led to the expansion of the prayer hall. In the next phase (1232-1351 SH), the building remained largely unchanged. However, due to some problems with its administration, the building suffered deterioration, after which the minarets were reconstructed in 1343 SH. In the recent phase (1311-1401 SH), a small section on the southern side of the building was demolished during a street construction project in 1311 SH. By 1314 SH, the building was restored and repositioned along the new street. Since then, the structure has remained unchanged, and almost all restoration works have been aimed at preservation, especially after the building's registration on Iran’s National Heritage List in 1327 SH. Finally, these findings enable the evaluation of hypotheses proposed by previous scholars, such as the building originally being a Jami‘ mosque, the possibility of the incomplete construction, and the similarity of its spatial organization with local mosques of Kurdistan. https://jias.kashanu.ac.ir/article_114244_c3247c1546a54c8a0f4fd792362eb76d.pdf