Portal of Bâq-e-Melli
Authors: Eskandar Mokhtari and Samira Behrouz
Translator: Nassim Ghiassi
Publisher: Cultural Research Bureau
Subject: Iranian Studies (Tehran city)
Date of Publication: 2017 (1st edition)
No. of Pages: 36
Size: 19 × 12 cm
ISBN: 9789643791919
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◙Sample English text is available.
◙ Copyright is available in all languages in all countries.
◙ This book is covered by the Grant Program of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
About the Book:
Bâq-e-melli Portal is situated in the historic heart of Tehran. Though considered a symbol of the city today, it was originally built for military purposes. In fact, the portal used to be the gateway of a military training field called Mashq Square, which was built in the reign of Fath’ali Shah Qâjâr (1797–1834) to enhance the security of Tehran. The old portal had a rather simple appearance compared to other portals built in that era. The current portal was constructed while Rezâ Khân was the Commander-in-Chief of the army (1921-1923).
An overview of the history of Mashq Square and the monument today known as the Portal of Bâq-e-melli, architectural features of the portal and the changes it underwent through history are the main subjects of the present book.
The book in hand is the 7th volume of a twenty-title series published as an output of Tehran Studies Project at Cultural Research Bureau. These books were designed to provide both authentic and interesting reading material on the historical, architectural and cultural aspects of Tehran’s prominent monuments and urban spaces. The series was recently translated into English for English-speakers willing to expand their knowledge about the history of the present Iranian capital.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Present location
Mashq Square and Bâq-e-melli Portal
The old portal of Mashq Square
Empowerment of the military and construction of a new portal for Mashq Sqaure
Mashq Square Portal
Architectural features
Change of the government; change of the portal
Construction of Bâq-e-melli (National Garden) and renaming of Mashq Square Portal
Bâq-e-melli Portal through history
References
Pronunciation Guide
About the Author:
Eskandar Mokhtari (1956/Tehran) received his BA in Archaeology and History of Art from Tehran University in 1980, and an MA in Architectural Restoration from University of Art in 1995. He also holds a PhD in Art Research from University of Art. He has been in charge of restoring several monuments and historic sites in Iran since 1980. His latest responsibilities include management of Tehran Historical City Office from 1996 to 2009, and supervision of Bam Cultural Heritage Recovery Project from 2004 to 2009. He has produced a dozen documentaries on historic sites and monuments of Iran for the Iranian National TV, authored several books and articles on cultural heritage conservation, and worked as a lecturer in several Iranian universities including Tehran University and Iran University of Science and Technology. He was also the chief editor of the present books series (Tehran Studies).
Samira Behrouz (1983/Tehran) holds a Master of Planning in Urban Development (2014) from Ryerson University of Toronto, a Master of Historic Preservation (2011) and a Bachelor of Architecture (2006) from Azad University School of Art and Architecture, Tehran. She has 4 years of experience in heritage planning in Tehran, and has worked on several research projects about Tehran’s contemporary built heritage. She worked with the City of Toronto for 3 years focusing on urban heritage, public realm and urban design studies. She is currently a New York-based planner, working as a manager of projects to improve the public realm in the city.