A Historical Narrative of the Architectural Formation of the Pir-i Bakran Monument during the Ilkhanid Period

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Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Graduate of the Master's program in Iranian Architectural Studies from Isfahan University of Art

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Iran University of Art

3 Member of the Faculty of Archeology Department, Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism

Abstract

The historical monument of Pir-i Bakran is one of the most prominent examples of shrine complexes developed during the Ilkhanid period. This structure can be understood as a reflection of the era’s cultural, religious, and social complexities. The present study seeks to analyze the cultural factors that contributed to the formation, evolution, and transformation of the monument, within the framework of cultural historiography. Employing a qualitative and historical methodology, the research gathers data from written, material, oral, and visual sources through a combination of archival and fieldwork methods. To achieve its objectives, the study first examines the role of human agency as the primary force in cultural formation and then, by drawing on the division of culture into material and immaterial dimensions, investigates the factors influencing the emergence and continuity of Pir-i Bakran. In contrast to traditional approaches that primarily focus on elite mentalities, this research emphasizes the popular thought and collective worldview of the broader society during the Ilkhanid era. The findings reveal that popular mentalities, religious beliefs, and communal imaginations played a decisive role in shaping the monument’s architectural development and transformation. Ultimately, this study interprets Pir-i Bakran not merely as an architectural work, but as a manifestation of the worldview of the common people during the Ilkhanid period.

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