Shah Cheragh is a 12th century funerary monument and religious complex located in Shiraz, Iran. It is centred around the mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad, the son of Musa al-Kazim, who is known as Shah Cheragh (King of the Light) in local traditions, and hence the building is named as such. The site is the 363rd national monument of Iran.

History of Shah Cheragh

The first structure over the grave of Sayyid Ahmad ibn Musa was built in the 13th century during the rule of the Salghurids, by the minister, a former Buyid prince. He built a domed mausoleum over the grave and a porch. Local folklore tells that the grave was found when a light appeared over it, which caught the attention of the people, who told the minister about what they had seen. The mausoleum stayed in that state for several years until the rule of the Injuids. During that time, female Injuid monarch, Queen Tash Khatun, further expanded the structure. During Safavid rule in the 16th century, the building was extensively renovated. Then in the 18th century, Nader Shah Afshar donated a golden chandelier, which was hung under the dome. But a few years later, an earthquake struck Shiraz, and the complex of Shah Cheragh was heavily damaged by the tremors. The golden chandelier was lost during this time. But a year after the earthquake had passed, a man named Qandeel found some remains of the donated gold, which he used to fund the reconstruction of the Shah Cheragh funerary monument. During the Qajar period, several repairs were made to the building. A silver zarih was also installed around the grave.

Architecture

The religious complex consists of a mosque and the mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad. A museum for ancient works is also situated in the complex. The mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad is topped by a large dome. The mausoleum itself is made of plaster and stone. Around his grave, a silver zarih is visible. The dome over the mausoleum contains a lot of mirror work on the interior. It is a Qajar period construction as well, and it replaces the original Safavid era dome which was destroyed in the earthquake. It has a metal skeleton as well. Persian calligraphy lines the base of the dome.

Museum

The museum located within the Shah Cheragh complex was established in 1925 in a corner of the shrine. In this museum, at least 600 pieces of pottery and clay artwork are stored, as well as several coins from the Parthian and Sassanian periods. Also inside the museum are weapons (such as swords) from the Safavid and Qajar periods. Several examples of manuscripts and documents are archived in there as well.

Mass kill by gun in 2022

On 26 October 2022, at least 15 people were killed in a mass shooting at the complex of Shah Cheragh. The three attackers are described by Iranian state media as apparently being takfiri terrorists. Two attackers have been arrested; the other is at large. Later the same day, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. The Iranian authorities said that the attackers are not Iranian nationals. Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency stated that children are among the dead. The United Nations have condemned the attack on the religious site.

Gallery

<Gallery> File:Aramgah-e Shah-e Cheragh (20537751093).jpg| Shah Cheragh at night File:Shiraz07.jpg|The dome of Shah Cheragh File:Silver mirrored prayer hall (21138790726).jpg|The prayer hall of the mosque in the Shah Cheragh complex File:Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine. Shiraz-Iran 2.jpg|The tomb of Mir Muhammad in the mausoleum File:Iran 2007 095 Mausoleum of Shah E Cheragh (1732512164).jpg|Tomb of Queen Tash Khatun in the southern side of the complex </Gallery>