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Revision as of 07:54, 12 August 2006 by 172.143.68.31 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)An iwan or Persian ayvān is defined as a vaulted hall or space, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open.
Iwans were a trademark of the Sassanid architecture of Persia, later finding their way into Islamic architecture. This transition reached its peak during the Seljuki era when iwans became established as a fundamental design unit in Islamic architecture.
Typically, iwans open on to a central courtyard, and have been used in both public and residential architecture.
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The entrance iwan of the Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan.
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The iwan of the National Museum of Iran was designed with the architectural precedent of Ctesiphon in mind.
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Iwans are also used in residential architecture. The main iwan of the Amerian House, Kashan, Iran.
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The Badshahi Masjid with an iwan in the centre, Lahore, Pakistan.
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The entrance iwan of the Jama Masjid, Delhi, India.
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Intricate designs on the iwan of the Ulugh Beg Madrassa, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
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The entrance iwan of the Taj Mahal, Agra, India.
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See also
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