An analysis of the Safavid architecture model of cĀsef Xān Mausoleum and the structure of its dome

The cĀsef Xān Mausoleum is one of the most famous tombs in the Subcontinent and is located in the building complex of Jahāngīr in the historical structure of Lahore. The design of the building and the four-gardens and tile-work decorations are influenced by the Iranian art of the Safavid era. The octagon plan of the building with its double-cover parabolic dome is the continuation of the central Asia tradition of tomb building in the era of Timur and in Grand Xorāsān. However this tomb is no longer similar to its original shape in its mainland due to the modifications made on the geometrical relations and careless measurements pertaining to the tomb, and sometimes lack of skill in implementation during the last years of the Safvid era. The yard of the tomb is in the form of four gardens, one of the distinguishing features of the Iranian garden model that were popular in the Subcontinent. The first objective of this research is an analysis of the architecture of this tomb and its comparison with the samples in the central Asia and in different areas of Iran, in terms of constructional techniques and aesthetic qualities of the shape, and studying the geometrical relations of the dome. The other objective is the identification of the architectural elements and ornaments borrowed at the tomb of cĀsef- Xān from the arts and architecture of Iran at the Safavid era, which implies blending of the arts of the Subcontinent and Iran, particularly in terms of ornaments. The present article has been written with respect to the theoretical approach of the cultural history.