The Comparative Study of Safavid and Qajar Takyeh's Architecture in Takht-e-Foolad of Isfahan

In the past, Takyeh was a place with different functions such as residence of Sufis and poor people as well as a place for Ta’zieh ritual. Takht-e-Foolad of Isfahan is one of the places in which many Takyehs were built from pre-Safavid to contemporary era. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Islamic world. In the past, Takyehs of Takht-e-Foolad were a place for residence of Sufis and scholars as well as a place for seminary and then a place for burying these persons. Thus, there has been built tombs for them and gradually other people were buried there as well. In this research, we aim to study the architecture of these Takyehs from Safavid to Qajar eras. The aim of this study is to introduce Takyehs of each era, the features of their architecture and the comparative study of them in this area in Safavid and Qajar eras.The main question is: What are the similarities and differences of Takaya of Takht-e-Foolad of Isfahan in these two eras? The research methodology is historic-descriptive and collection of data includes both library and field observation of Takyehs and then qualitative analysis of the data is carried out. From the findings of this study we can indicate to the similarity in hierarchy, the fabric of tombs, the kind of arches, the structure of roofs, the kind of used materials, the similarity of decorations and their place in Takaya of these two eras. Differences between them are in the prominence of portal and use of inscription in Safavid era, and the use of flat roof, curved arcs, stone, lithography and placing of tombs on platform in Qajar era.