Latent function of the devotional cisterns in Tehran during Qajar period

The devotional cisterns as a facility for all and necessary for the city, according to their position in the urban context and position of influence in the culture and daily life, excluding storage and supply of safe and fresh drinking water had other functions, as well. Beliefs which were rooted in iranian and Islamic culture were affected in that monuments and everyday interactions by their clients. Base on the above, the question of the study is that in addition to providing drinking water, what were the other functions of endowment cisterns of Tehran? This research has studied documents, libraries, interviews and direct observations, the way cross descriptive and analytic to find the ancillary functions of devotional cisterns in Tehran Qajar era. Results of this study suggest that the functions were cultural, social and economic attitudes and have a direct relationship with beliefs and lifestyle. At the same time, sometimes these buildings had some functions that were not consistent with the intent of the donor and the norms of society.