There is a remnant of a historical structure in Bushehr province called “Dalaki Caravansarai.” This cultural heritage is in bad shape at present. But there are rumors that it will be repaired so that it gets back its beauty.
Dalaki is in Dashtestan district, part of Bushehr province. Dalaki was built on the road making it a road for transport of goods and passengers. The river that passes by this area gave it life and prosperity, to the extent that it attracted caravans in the past centuries.
The palm groves have also given Dalaki special beauty, and its historical structures are signs of the past ages. In any case, on the road connecting the two cities of Shiraz and Bushehr, for a long time, Dalaki was a place to relax. It is more than 20 km from Barazjan City and less than 90 km from Bushehr. Dalaki historical caravansarai was built in the middle of this city and is an intracity structure.
But what does Dalaki mean? “Dal” is a word from the old Pahlavi language and means “stone.” It has also been said that another meaning of “Dal” is “Eagle,” and because this preying and high-soaring bird was found in abundance, in this region, they named the city Dalaki to refer to the number of eagles in the sky. Dalaki Caravansarai was built in such a place.
The founder of structure is said to be Mirza Abulhasan Khan Moshir al-Molk Shirazi. He was the governor of Fars province during the Qajar period. He built many reservoirs, hot springs, marketplaces, greenhouses and carvansarais, and he was a charitable man. The famous Barazjan fortress is also one of the structures built by his will and order. Moshir al-Molk assigned one of the architecture masters of that time named, Mohammad Rahim Bana, to make the Dalaki Caravansarai.
Features of Dalaki Caravansarai
This structure has four porches and an expansive yard. Everything that we find in the architecture of the Qajar period was also used in constructing this carvansarai. Four towers have been built in four corners of the structure and a passage to go inside the carvansarai from each tower. The towers have some brick work on them and built in a circular shape.
For this reason, they are still spectacular. But to enter the caravansarai, you must go to its west side and enter through the entrance door. They have also built a staircase inside one of the corridors to get to the roof. The rooms are numerous, and there is also a place to keep livestock. It can be seen from the facade and the architectural way of Dalaki Caravansarai that its builders have done everything to ensure the structure’s safety and protect it from looters.
The foundation of Dalaki carvansarai was made of stones and rubble from the river, stuck together with plaster mortar. The stones were preferred to be used uncut; and even for the rooms no effort made to decorate the, but built very simple. There is a window for each room which brings daylight into it and also changes the air in the room. The whole structure is a one-story building, and no spaces were added during its renovation. This carvansarai is built on 3500 sqm land.
The reservoir built for the Dalki Caravansarai is big enough to meet the drinking water needs of the visitors and passengers of the caravansarai. Alas! though registered nationally, this historic carvansarai in the historic city of Dalaki, is not in good shape and facing destruction. Recently, the head of the cultural heritage department of Dashtestan city announced the revival and beautification of this carvansarai with a budget of 13 billion rials (IRNA news agency- 14 Amordad 1402). This revitalization is to prevent the structure’s collapse and restore the rooms, arches, and exterior of the caravansarai. This carvansarai is endowed and for carrying out repair some paperwork is needed to coordinate its revival (Irana Report – March 12, 1401). It seems that it has been suggested that after the restoration of the Dalki Caravansarai, it will be turned into a “handicraft market”!
