Recognition of the Architecture of Yazd in Atabakan Period, Using Historical Documents (Case Study: Atabak Qotb-Al Din's Dowlat-Khaneh Complex)

Architectural works of the Atabakan era are among the Iranian works which rarely have been considered in the course of chronologic studies. At first Atabakan were appointed by the Seljuqid as stewards and assistants for the Seljuk princes and as the central power of Seljuqid grew faint, they gained more power and turned into local dynasties. In this era, which is simultaneous with the extensive attack of Moguls to Iran, the areas under their controls remained free of involvements and destructions, because of their scheme and foresight. Based on the tranquility that was rendered in the central areas of Iran, great scientific, cultural, mystic and even economical personalities of Iran had tendencies to live in these areas. The result was the extension of cities and creation of various architectural works with the especial land-related character. Yazd went under control of the Atabaki government from 1141 to 1318 and faced with lots of positive changes because of them, that their effects in the aspects of architecture and other types of art on later eras is undeniable. This article tries to recognize and analyze the governmental court complex of Atabak Qotb-Al’Din, through referring to the historical texts. According to existing documents this complex included a house (governmental palace)(, a school, a tomb and a square in front of them most likely for social rituals)(, but right now nothing has remained from the square and what we have today is a house at the beginning of Fahadan neighborhood from the East and inside the destructed tower of the city known as the Taq-Bolandha or Hosseinian House, the tomb which is known as Gonbad e Hasht, and the school as Hosseinieh Hasht. These are examples of the building that has been build in Atabakan era and can present valuable guidance for recognition of architectural and artistic properties of this era, and so it can be used widely in writing the history of Iran’s architecture. The complex of Dowlat Khaneh of Atabak Qotb-Al’Din was build during the reign of Atabak Esfahsalar Abi Mansour known as Sultan Qotb-Al’Din between 1218 and 1226. He, who was the sixth Emir of the Atabaki Emirs of Yazd, had a mystic tendency and liked the companion of the mystics and devotees, because of this, people accepted his government and he could largely improve the welfare of Yazd. The interpretational-historical research method is related to the historical texts and comparison and matching of related buildings. The study of the sample complex shows that in the composition of the Atabaki buildings, the school or the high dome-house ()Gonbad-khaneh)(as the tomb existed beside the big houses of the rich or the governors. Meanwhile, elements like two campaniles in two sides of the entry, single layered domes on a square-shaped plan, octagonal neck of the dome and using azure color composed with gold for interior decoration were common in this era and can be generalized to other architectural works of Atabakan era of Yazd.