Arg of Karim Khan

Infobox Military Structure
name =Arg of Karim Khan
Native_name =ارگ کریم خان
Arg é Karim Khān
location =Shiraz, Iran


type =citadel
built =1766-7
used =The Arg of Karim Khan (PerB|ارگ کريمخاني ɑrge KɑrīmKHănɪ AKA Arge KarimKhani, Citadel of KarimKhan, KarimKhan Fortress) is a citadel located in the North-East of Shiraz. It was built as part of a complex during the Zand dynasty and is named after Karim Khan, and served as his living quarters. It's shape resembles a medieval fortress.

At times, the citadel was used as a prison. Today, it is a museum operated by Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.

Etymology

The Arg of Karim Khan is also known as Arge Karim Khan, Arge KarimKhani and Citadel of Karim Khan.

History

Arg-e-Karim Khan was built in 1180 AH (1766-7). Karim Khan invited the best architects and Artists of the time and bought the best materials from other cities and abroad for the construction of the citadel of Karim Khan and was quickly constructed. During the Zand dynasty it was used by the king as living quarters. During the Qajar period it was used as the governor's seat.

Prince Abdolhosein Mirza Farmanfarma the governor of Fars Province ordered to renovate the miniatures in the citadel.

After the fall of the qajar dynasty it was converted into a prison and the paintings were plastered. in 1971 it was given to Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization. The renovation of the citadel started in 1977.

Description

The Arg of Karim Khan is in the North-West of Shiraz and is located at Shohada Sq. The Arg of Karim Khan has a land area of 4000 m² and is in the centre of a 12,800 m² compound.http://www.khayerin-salamat.sums.ac.ir/argekarim.htm retrieved 11 Feb 2008] The citadel of Karim Khan consists of four high walls connected by four 14 m round brick towers at a 90 degree angle. Each 12m wall is crenalized and is 3 metres thick at the base and 2.8 metres at the top. http://www.shirazcity.org/Home/sightseeing.html The design of the citadel combines military and residential architecture for it was the home of Karim Khan and the military centre of the dynasty.

In James Edward Alexander's visit to Shiraz he describes the citadel being surrounded by a "deep wet ditch". [James Edward Alexander, Travels from India to England: Comprehending a Visit to the Burman Empire, Parbury, Allen(1827) p.125]

tile works displaying legendary tales at the entrance gate of the citadel wes a feature added during the Qajar period.

ee also

*List of castles in Iran
*Iranian architecture
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=29+38+N++52+34+E&ie=UTF8&ll=29.617406,52.544646&spn=0.002206,0.005364&t=k&om=1: Map of Arg of Karim Khan]

External links

* [http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=4659 MIT's Archnet entry for "Arg-e Karimi]

References