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Blue Mosque (Tabriz)

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Not to be confused with Blue Mosque (Mazar-i-Sharif).
Blue Mosque
General Information
FounderJahan Shah b. Shah Yusuf
Established870/1465-66
TypeMosque
LocationTabriz
Other namesGoy Mosque • Jahan Shah Mosque • Muzaffariyya Building • Turquoise of Islam
Related eventsDestruction after the earthquake in 1193/1779-80
Architecture
RenovationIn different years
Websitehttps://mozafariyeh.ir


The Blue Mosque (Persian: مسجد کبود), also known as the Jahan Shah Mosque (Persian: مسجد جهانشاه), stands as the sole surviving mosque from the Qara Qoyunlu era in the city of Tabriz. Commissioned in 870/1465-66 by Jahan Shah b. Shah Yusuf, this historic edifice is renowned for its intricate azure and turquoise tilework. This distinctive ornamentation has earned it several epithets, including the Goy Mosque, the Shah Jahan Mosque, the Muzaffariyya Complex, and the Turquoise of Islam. The designation "Muzaffariyya Complex" reportedly originates from the mosque's initial integration into a larger architectural ensemble that once encompassed a mosque, a residential dwelling, a central courtyard, and a comprehensive library.

Constructed primarily of brick, the mosque features an imposing entrance portal adorned with exquisite mosaic tiles and intricate inscriptions of Qur'anic verses. Its architectural layout encompasses a square courtyard, a central basin for ablution, and flanked prayer halls (shabistans). The interior is further distinguished by prominent marble slabs and finely carved inscriptions. Interestingly, although the mosque's original endowment deed explicitly stipulates that both the Imam of the congregational prayer and the preacher must be Sunnis of exemplary moral character, the surviving inscriptions and architectural motifs suggest that the Qara Qoyunlu dynasty harbored an inclination toward Shi'ism, reflecting a broader policy of religious tolerance.

A devastating earthquake in 1193/1779-80 inflicted severe damage upon the mosque, resulting in the tragic collapse of its main dome. Comprehensive restoration efforts were subsequently undertaken, spanning from 1939-40 to 1976-77. Today, the mausoleum section of the complex continues to house the tombs of Jahan Shah, his wife Jan Beygum Khatun, and several of their children.

History of the Building

According to the foundational inscription on its entrance portal, the Blue Mosque was constructed in 870/1465-66 during the Qara Qoyunlu period, commissioned by the ruler Abu l-Muzaffar Jahan Shah b. Qara Yusuf.[1] However, some historical accounts alternately attribute the establishment of this mosque to Jan Begum, the wife of Abu l-Muzaffar Jahan Shah, or to his daughter, Saliha Khatun.[2] In his seminal work Tarikh-i Tabriz, historian Muhammad Javad Mashkur posits that crediting the edifice to Saliha Khatun represents the most historically accurate narrative.[3]

Reason for Naming

The edifice's widespread recognition as the "Blue" (Kabud) Mosque derives from the striking azure and turquoise tiling that dominates its architectural facade and interior.[4] It is known by several alternative monikers, including the Goy Mosque,[5] the Jahan Shah (or Shah Jahan) Mosque, the 'Imarat, and the Turquoise of Islam.[6] Additionally, the title "Muzaffariyya Complex" harks back to the mosque's original inception as a constituent part of a vast architectural compound that included the mosque itself, a residential dwelling, a central courtyard, and a library.[7]

Features

Exemplifying the grandeur of historical Iranian architecture, the Blue Mosque stands as the sole extant monument from the Qara Qoyunlu era in Tabriz.[8] The primary brick structure boasts an imposing entrance portal lavishly decorated with mosaic tiles. Qur'anic verses are elegantly inscribed across this portal in Thuluth and Kufic scripts, set against a vibrant azure background. The broader complex incorporates a square courtyard, a spacious central basin designed for ablution, and flanking prayer halls. The interior spaces are richly embellished with marble slabs and intricate inscriptions featuring carved Arabesque (Isleemi)[9] motifs.[10]

Furthermore, historical documentation confirms that the mosque's designated mausoleum section houses the resting places of Jahan Shah, his wife Jan Beygum Khatun, and several of their children.[11]

Shi'a and Sunni Symbols

The official endowment deed for the mosque explicitly mandates that the Imam of the congregational prayer must be a pious Sufi sheikh affiliated with the Sunni school, characterized by praiseworthy moral conduct. The designated preacher is similarly required to be an adherent of the Sunni tradition.[12] Paradoxically, the names of the revered Imams (a) were prominently inscribed above Jahan Shah's own name on the main portal and primary inscription, although substantial historical damage has rendered these texts largely illegible today.[13] Furthermore, the explicit Shi'a declaration "Ali waly Allah" is carved into the interior walls of the mosque.[14]

This architectural and textual duality has led some scholars to theorize that the combination of the endowment deed with the inscriptions venerating the Imams (a), Hasanayn (a), and Sura al-Kawthar—a chapter traditionally believed to have been revealed in honor of Lady Fatima (a)—signals a strong Qara Qoyunlu affinity for the Shi'a school of thought. Conversely, the inclusion of inscriptions naming the Caliphs, interwoven with prevalent mystical and Sufi motifs, strongly indicates an environment devoid of rigid sectarian prejudice, pointing instead toward a deliberate policy of religious tolerance and ecumenism.[15]

Restoration and Reconstruction

The catastrophic earthquake of 1193/1779-80 in Tabriz devastated the Blue Mosque's primary structure, precipitating the complete collapse of its iconic dome.[16] Formal restoration efforts finally commenced decades later in 1939-40, beginning with crucial repairs to the entrance portal. Between 1948-49 and 1949-50, restoration specialists Isma'il Dibaj and Haj Abu l-Qasim Mi'mar successfully reconstructed several of the main walls. The monumental task of rebuilding the main dome was subsequently undertaken by Rida Mi'maran, with construction starting in 1973-74 and reaching completion in 1976-77.[17]

  • Entrance portal of the mosque
    Entrance portal of the mosque
  • A view from inside the mosque
    A view from inside the mosque
  • A view from the back of the mosque
    A view from the back of the mosque
  • A view from inside the mosque
    A view from inside the mosque
  • Blue Mosque after the earthquake of 1193/1779-80 and before reconstruction
    Blue Mosque after the earthquake of 1193/1779-80 and before reconstruction

Notes

  1. ↑ Kabir Mazahir et al., "Rikht-shinasi-yi mi'mari-yi Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz", p. 8.
  2. ↑ Kabir Mazahir et al., "Rikht-shinasi-yi mi'mari-yi Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz", p. 8.
  3. ↑ Mashkur, Tarikh-i Tabriz ta payan-i qarn-i nuhum-i hijri, 1352 Sh, p. 653.
  4. ↑ "Jan-maya-hay-i ahang-i ayat dar naqsh-i nawa-hay-i Masjid-i Kabud", Majalla-yi Gulistan-i Qur'an, p. 21.
  5. ↑ "Goy" translates to "blue" in the Azeri language.
  6. ↑ Farhang-i Jughrafiyayi-yi Abadi-hay-i Kishwar, Shahristan-i Tabriz, p. 136.
  7. ↑ Kabir Mazahir et al., "Rikht-shinasi-yi mi'mari-yi Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz", p. 9.
  8. ↑ Kabir Mazahir et al., "Rikht-shinasi-yi mi'mari-yi Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz", p. 9.
  9. ↑ Arabesque is a classical decorative motif characterized by intertwined flowing lines, often resembling plant forms with continuous spiral stems.
  10. ↑ "Jan-maya-hay-i ahang-i ayat dar naqsh-i nawa-hay-i Masjid-i Kabud", Majalla-yi Gulistan-i Qur'an, p. 21; "Namad-i hunar wa zibayi-yi Tabriz dar Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz", Titr-e Bartar News Agency.
  11. ↑ Kabir Mazahir et al., "Rikht-shinasi-yi mi'mari-yi Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz", pp. 8, 10.
  12. ↑ Ni'mati Babaylu & Mutma'in, "Baztab-i andisha-hay-i dini-yi Qara Qoyunlu-ha dar katiba-hay-i Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz", p. 105.
  13. ↑ Ni'mati Babaylu & Mutma'in, "Baztab-i andisha-hay-i dini-yi Qara Qoyunlu-ha dar katiba-hay-i Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz", p. 105.
  14. ↑ Sarafrazi, "Sha'a'ir-i Shi'i bar sikka-hay-i Islami ta shikl-giri-yi hukumat-i Safaviyan", p. 22.
  15. ↑ Ni'mati Babaylu & Mutma'in, "Baztab-i andisha-hay-i dini-yi Qara Qoyunlu-ha dar katiba-hay-i Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz", p. 111.
  16. ↑ "Jan-maya-hay-i ahang-i ayat dar naqsh-i nawa-hay-i Masjid-i Kabud", Majalla-yi Gulistan-i Qur'an, p. 21.
  17. ↑ "Jan-maya-hay-i ahang-i ayat dar naqsh-i nawa-hay-i Masjid-i Kabud", Majalla-yi Gulistan-i Qur'an, p. 21.

References

  • Farhang-i Jughrafiyayi-yi Abadi-hay-i Kishwar, Shahristan-i Tabriz. Armed Forces Geographical Organization, 1380 Sh.
  • Jan-maya-hay-i ahang-i ayat dar naqsh-i nawa-hay-i Masjid-i Kabud, Majalla-yi Gulistan-i Qur'an. No. 20, Mordad 1379 Sh.
  • Kabir Mazahir, Muhammad Baqir, Hamid Mazahirani, & Mahnaz Peyrawi. Rikht-shinasi-yi mi'mari-yi Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz, Mutali'at-i Mi'mari-yi Iran. No. 6, 1393 Sh.
  • Mashkur, Muhammad Jawad. Tarikh-i Tabriz ta payan-i qarn-i nuhum-i hijri. Tehran: Anjuman-i Athar-i Melli.
  • Ni'mati Babaylu, Ali & Muhammad Rida Mu'tma'in. Baztab-i andisha-hay-i dini-yi Qara Qoyunlu-ha dar katiba-hay-i Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz, Sahifa-yi Mabani-yi Hunar-i Islami. Vol. 3, no. 1, Spring & Summer 1397 Sh.
  • Sarafrazi, Abbas. Sha'a'ir-i Shi'i bar sikka-hay-i Islami ta shikl-giri-yi hukumat-i Safaviyan, in Majalla-yi Shi'a Shinasi, no. 51, Pa'eeiz 1394 Sh.
  • "Namad-i hunar wa zibayi-yi Tabriz dar Masjid-i Kabud-i Tabriz". Titr-i Bartar News Agency.
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