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Showing 3 results for Castles
Volume 7, Issue 26 (6-2019)
Abstract
‘Qalʿa-ye dokhtar’ (Maiden Castle) is a name given to some castles in Iran and adjacent countries. As for the reasons behind the naming, there are two main arguments. Conceiving those castles as impregnable ones, an older argument builds a connection between the virginity of girls and alleged invulnerability of those castles. In a totally different direction, a modern argument interprets ‘dokhtar’ as a title of Anahita, the river-goddess of ancient Iran, and considers qalʿa-ye dokhtars as vestiges of pre-Islamic temples of that goddess. Due to a contemporary tendency to project pre-Islamic themes on historical monuments, this latter view has gained vast popularity among Iranians and has influenced the identification of some Zoroastrian and Muslim shrines as once-upon-a-time Anahita temples. This paper assesses the validity of these two views, and arguments in favor of a new theory. It demonstrates that such naming is the product of fantasies of common people nurtured by folk stories featuring some popular motifs of ‘maiden(s) in the castle’. An endeavor to outline types of folk tales associated with those castles is undertaken in this paper.
Volume 12, Issue 1 (8-2020)
Abstract
The Manor ’s castles in Bahar County are examples of plains castles that during the later centuries of Islam because of the weakness of the central government and chaos caused by the existing power structure in the country and also to stay and settle local tribal chiefs and their people, were built by local rulers. Natural hills and elevations overlooking the surrounding areas and better defensively has been special attention for building castles in the region, like all castles plains. One of the major features of the manor castles of Bahar County is different use of the tower in the castle building, which overtime have different functions such as residence and scout. The main decorations of castles are in the governor's seat, especially in the columns and pillars of the porch and also is evident in acrography design inside the building which is executed with a variety vegetable motif and a spiral motifs. These buildings as local government with secure, have drawn attention in the past. In this study, castles with the aim of survey architectural structures and decorative elements used in them and also analysis of typical characteristics common among them, studied and examined. The cause of formation of these structures and their role in regional security during the Qajar period is the most important issue that needs to be answered in this study. Study approach is "explanatory, analytical and field", has discussed the conditions of this category of buildings.
Mohsen Saadati, Javad Neyestani, Alireza Hejebri Nobari,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (6-2020)
Abstract
Defensive fortifications in different regions of Iran have been an effective factor in the survival of residential centers and commercial routes. An investigation on defensive structures will provide useful information on this kind of architecture. The study of remains of castles in the Rey region has provided an important context for archaeological research. In the present study, the Seljuk fortifications (Rashkān fortress, Gabri and Kāsni Castles) are introduced and recognized as inner city castles. It aims at identifying and studying the Seljuk fortifications of Rey, identifying the function of inner city fortifications, and comparing them with other samples in neighboring regions in terms of characteristics. The data were gathered through field and documentary studies while an analytical-historical method was applied in the course of the research. Important questions intended to be addressed were: 1. what has been the role of Seljuk fortifications of Rey in security provision of the region? 2. In which categories can the Seljuk fortifications of Rey be classified in terms of structural characteristics and architectural classification? Among the Seljuk fortifications of Rey, Kohandez (e.g. Rashkān Fortress) had functioned as the political headquarters, and in other inner city castles, larger circular towers have been usually located in four angles and interspersed with subsidiary towers. These types of defensive architecture indicate the progress in the urban construction and security provision.
