An Analytic Review of the Inscriptions of Jameh Mozaffari Mosque in Kerman

An Analytic Review of the Inscriptions of Jameh Mozaffari Mosque in Kerman Farid Ahmadzadeh1 , Maryam Honardan2 , and Hamid Norasi3 Jameh Mozaffari Mosque of Kerman is one of the architectural masterpieces of the 8th century (AH). However, in spite of the variety of its decorative inscriptions during the various Islamic periods, it has never been the focus of a comprehensive research. Therefore, following a descriptive-analytic-historical approach and benefitting from historical documents and field observations, the present study was conducted to identify, investigate, and analyze the contents and dates of these inscriptions. The findings indicate that the inscriptions of this mosque are mainly on religious themes. In addition to the inscriptions of the Muzaffarid period, some more were added to the Jameh Mozaffari Mosque of Kerman during the Safavid, Qajar, Pahlavai, and more recent periods. Thuluth and Banna’i or M’aqali scripts have been mainly used in decorating the inscriptions. Moreover, it seems that the political and social conditions of each period have played significant roles in choosing specific Qur’anic verses for the writing of inscriptions.