Chahar Padshahan (Persian: مسجد چهار پادشاهان, "Four Kings") is the name of a historic mausoleum in Lahijan, Iran, where four rulers of the Karkiya dynasty are buried.[1][2] It is number 322 on the list of national monuments of Iran.[1][2] Despite being intended as a mausoleum, the Chahar Padshahan is also used as a mosque.[1][2]
History
The building was originally a mausoleum for the ancestor of the Karkiya dynasty, Seyyed Karkiya, who died in 1250, and a tomb was established for him immediately after he died.[1] After the demise of Karkiyid ruler Ali-Kiya, he was buried in the mausoleum too, next to Seyyed Karkiya.[1] Then his son, Reza-Kiya, was buried there next to him, following him, his brother Razi-Kiya was also buried there, next to him.[1][2] The Karkiyid ruler Hady-Kiya helped to expand and renovate the mausoleum where he buried his brothers in.[2] During the Safavid period (before Shah Abbas' rule) the mausoleum was constructed and expanded.[1] At some point, during the era of the Qajar rule, the mausoleum was renovated and tiled up.[1]
Architecture
One of the mosque's corridors
The main building of Chahar Padshahan is rectangular, with four rooms, and as well as a porch facing the north direction.[1] The building has two main entrances, and the main building, the mausoleum itself, is located on the south side of the yard. The entrance doors are made of polished wood.[1][3] This building is tiled extensively, with the tilework dating back to the Qajar period.[1][3]
Inside the mausoleum of the Karkiyid rulers of Chahar Padshahan
The Karkiyid rulers are buried in a central room. In this room, their graves are enclosed by a wooden zarih.[1][3] The larger room, next to the tomb room, is used as a prayer hall for a mosque.[1][3]
Gallery
Paintings of the Karkiyid rulers on the upper part of mausoleum's entrance
A door leading to the mausoleum's tomb room
A copyright infringement notice, which is framed honorably
A view from the main building's porch, showing the Jameh Mosque of Lahijan across the street
