Living Witnesses of a Lost Heritage: An Analysis of the Inscriptions of the Baghdād Marjāniyya Endowments
As primary historical sources, endowment inscriptions engraved on stone or brick not only preserve the written heritage of their time but also reflect its artistic sensibilities, serving as versatile documents that bridge the past and present. One of the most remarkable examples of this type, common...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Arabic |
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Istanbul University Press
2025-04-01
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| Series: | İslam Tetkikleri Dergisi |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/3D86D0AA76C045638086068EBE62C5A5 |
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| Summary: | As primary historical sources, endowment inscriptions engraved on stone or brick not only preserve the written heritage of their time but also reflect its artistic sensibilities, serving as versatile documents that bridge the past and present. One of the most remarkable examples of this type, commonly found in Ilkhanid-period architectural structures, is the inscriptions of the Marjāniyya Madrasa, built in Baghdād during the Jalāyirid rule. Established in 758/1357 on the eastern side of Baghdād, the madrasa was founded by Amīn al-Dīn Marjān b. Abdullāh b. Abdurrahmān al-Oljaytī, who served as governor of Baghdād under the Jalāyirid rulers Sheikh Hasan and his son Sheikh Uwais. The endowment, arranged into six inscriptions, provides unique insights into the madrasa’s foundation and institutional history. These inscriptions, now affixed to the interior walls of the Marjāniyya Mosque, are significant not only for their content but also as outstanding examples of the Saljuk-style jalī thuluth script. In addition to these six endowment inscriptions, this study examines other inscriptions that offer valuable information about the Marjāniyya endowments. It includes a review of the literature on the inscriptions, an epigraphic analysis of the inscriptions, an examination of numerical and quantitative data related to endowed immovables, and interpretations of key terms and place names that illuminate the political and social context of the period. |
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| ISSN: | 2717-6967 |