exploring the history of aq-qalih in khorasan: insights from the ilkhanid’s periodic travels and the urban structures of the yuan era

The historical fortress of aq-qalih, a large and little-known structure in the juvayn plain of northern khorasan, is tentatively attributed to the mongol ilkhanid period based on limited prior studies. however, extant ilkhanid -period documents offer no confirmation of its existence. therefore, the hypothesis of ilkhanid construction relies solely on archaeological evidence and the dated inscription of the aq-qalih mosque. this research seeks to establish the significance of aq-qalih as a midway settlement along ilkhanid travel routes in northern khorasan, utilizing historical documents and gis analysis. further, by comparing aq-qalih’s structure with contemporaneous structures in mongol-influenced regions of china and iran, this study assesses the hypothesis of ilkhanid construction. the findings indicate aq-qalih’s strategic location along major ilkhanid travel routes, with the ilkhans’ and their successors’ annual visits increasing the likelihood of a midway settlement. moreover, structural comparisons with chinese examples like shangdu, daidu, and yingchang, as well as sultaniyya in iran, reveal significant similarities, bolstering the hypothesis of ilkhanid-era construction.

exploring the history of aq-qalih in khorasan: insights from the ilkhanid’s periodic travels and the urban structures of the yuan era

the historical fortress of aq-qalih, a large and little-known structure in the juvayn plain of northern khorasan, is tentatively attributed to the mongol ilkhanid period based on limited prior studies. however, extant ilkhanid -period documents offer no confirmation of its existence. therefore, the hypothesis of ilkhanid construction relies solely on archaeological evidence and the dated inscription of the aq-qalih mosque. this research seeks to establish the significance of aq-qalih as a midway settlement along ilkhanid travel routes in northern khorasan, utilizing historical documents and gis analysis. further, by comparing aq-qalih’s structure with contemporaneous structures in mongol-influenced regions of china and iran, this study assesses the hypothesis of ilkhanid construction. the findings indicate aq-qalih’s strategic location along major ilkhanid travel routes, with the ilkhans’ and their successors’ annual visits increasing the likelihood of a midway settlement. moreover, structural comparisons with chinese examples like shangdu, daidu, and yingchang, as well as sultaniyya in iran, reveal significant similarities, bolstering the hypothesis of ilkhanid-era construction.