The Role and Status of the Razavi Holy Shrine in the Formation and Development of Urban Life ofMashhad al-Reza

Abstract The most important factor contributing to the formation and development of Mashhad City can be considered to be the presence of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH). Following the martyrdom of Imam Reza (PBUH) in 203 AH and his burial in Sanabad Garden, Tousand construction of a small monument, the process of physical-spatial development of theHoly Shrine and consequently,Mashhad al-Reza during various historical periods began and gradually led to formation of a huge city within a small village and especially, since the Safavid era, Mashhad City, due to its political and religious role, increasingly developed in all the economic, political, communicative, service, scientific and cultural aspects. Since the aim of the present research is to identify and study the history of formation and the process of evolution and development ofMashhad City as a result of the influential and fundamental role ofthe Razavi Holy Shrine, the research method is descriptive/analytic and this research is a documentary and library research. Based on historical evidence, this paper seeks to explain thatMashhad al-Reza, throughout its development during the Safavid era and being the capital city during the reign of Nader Shah and its relative prosperity during the Qajar era, since its formation up to this day, has owed its existence to the presence ofthe Razavi Holy Shrine.