Maidan in the context of "Naqsh-e Jahan Square"

⭐ In the context of Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the practice of Namaaz-e Jom'eh (the Muslim Friday prayer) demonstrates the square’s continued role as a center for…

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⭐ Core Definition: Maidan

Maidan is an originally Persian word for a town square or public gathering place (Persian: میدان), adopted by various other languages: Urdu میدان (maidān); Arabic مَيْدَان (maydān); Turkish meydan; Georgian მოედანი (moedani); Bangla ময়দান, meaning field, and Crimean Tatar, from which Ukrainian also borrowed maidan. Its ultimate source is Proto-Indo-European *médʰyos – compare Avestan maiδya, Sanskrit मध्य (madhya) and Latin medius. Various versions include maydan, midan, meydan, majdan, mayadeen and maydān. It also means field (मैदान) in Hindi. It became a loanword in other South Asian languages to give similar means, such as in Tamil in which the word is maidhanam.

The broad geographical footprint of the use of Maidan in toponymy, from Central Europe to South-East Asia, is a reflection of the Turkish rule in these areas.

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👉 Maidan in the context of Naqsh-e Jahan Square

The Naqsh-e Jahan Square (Persian: میدان نقش جهان, romanizedMaidān-e Naqsh-e Jahān, lit.'Image of the World Square'), also known as the Shah Square (میدان شاه) prior to 1979, and sometimes known as the Imam Square, is a square situated at the center of Isfahan, Iran. Constructed between 1598 and 1629, it is now an important historical site, and one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. It is 160 metres (520 ft) wide by 560 metres (1,840 ft) long – an area of 89,600 square metres (964,000 sq ft). The square is surrounded by buildings from the Safavid era. The Shah Mosque is situated on the south side of this square. On the west side is the Ali Qapu Palace. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is situated on the eastern side of this square and at the northern side Qeysarie Gate opens into the Isfahan Grand Bazaar. Today, Namaaz-e Jom'eh (the Muslim Friday prayer) is held in the Shah Mosque.

The square is depicted on the reverse of the Iranian 20,000 rials banknote. Stores are owned by trust of Ostandari Isfahan.

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Maidan in the context of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (Persian: مسجد شیخ لطف الله, romanizedMasjed-e Shaykh Lotfollah;) is a Shi'ite mosque, located on the eastern side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran. Construction of the mosque started in 1011 AH (1602/1603 CE) and was finished in 1028 AH (1618/1619CE). It is one of the masterpieces of Iranian architecture from the Safavid era. It was designed by the chief architect Muhammad Reza during the reign of Shah Abbas the Great. On the advice of Arthur Upham Pope, Reza Shah Pahlavi had the mosque restored in the 1920s.

The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, completed in the Safavid style, is one of the most important architectural projects built on Isfahan's maidan, prominent for its location, scale, design, and ornamentation. The mosque is registered, along with the Naghsh-e Jahan Square and other surrounding structures, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and was added to the Iran National Heritage List on 6 January 1932, administered by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran.

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