Reviewing a Monumental Structure : Kakh-i Khurshid at Kalat

Monuments have a history of thousands of years and are usually among the oldest symbols of civilisation in various periods. In the Islamic world, a memorial is created to commemorate a person or an event, which is generally manifested in constructing a tomb, whose wide distribution in the Islamic lands is a testimony to this claim. The building known as "Kakh or Qasr-i Khurshid (Palace of the Sun)” in the city of Kalat in the north of Khurasan Razavi province is an example of this type of architecture. This structure was built on the orders of Nadir Shah Afshar (r.1736-47), although its primary function has always been debated owing to its distinct architecture and decorations. Kalat or Kalat-i Nadiri is known as a natural fortress due to a fence of mountains. So, throughout history, it has always been of interest from a defensive and military point of view. This area received particular attention during the reign of Nadir Shah, and several buildings were erected on his orders. Khurshid edifice has always been the focus of researchers in terms of its size and appearance as well as the ambiguity of its function. The octagon includes a series of iwans connected by narrow corridors, creating a series of connected spaces of different scales that encircle the cylinder and are suitable for ambulating around the building. The building generally consists of two volumes: a lofty cylinder and an octagonal. The structure comprises three floors: the basement, the ground, and the first. Previous studies have expressed different opinions about the building’s function. Some consider it a palace, and some believe it was initially built as a tomb, which was later converted into a palace. This study aims to investigate the building's function and main architectural features and determine its place in the history of Iranian architecture. The analysis of the building shows that not only in terms of architecture but also concerning structure, significant measures have been taken for its durability and stability against the risk of earthquakes. The research also shows that the building was not a palace or a tomb, but it was built as a monument with a ceremonial function to commemorate the name of its patron. The research findings show that the Khurshid building is a fusion of Iranian and Indian architecture, which are skillfully linked to perpetuate the name of the building’s patron. The structure characterises the idea of a tomb tower as a monument in a new composition. In this sense, it created a link between the traditions of Iranian architecture and the architecture of the Mughals of India. The wide range of decorations with Indian motifs attests to this claim.

The research was carried out in a descriptive-analytical way with a historical approach. The type of study is qualitative in the field of architectural history. The primary method of collecting information in this research is through library studies and field surveys, and the data analysis method is qualitative.