When the Mughal Ilkhans ruled Iran, a caravanserai was built next to a village called Sarcham. Because of this, it became known as “Sarcham Caravanserai.” That village is completely gone, but a remnant of its historic caravanserai can still be seen and has a beautiful view.
Sarcham Caravanserai was built in the first half of the 8th century. Its construction goes back to 733 (lunar calendar). It was built next to a village and Zanjan River. It was a rest place for carvans that were either on their way to Maragheh or going towads Tabriz or Miyaneh cities. During those turbulent times, the caravanserai suffered a lot of damage. But they rebuilt it during the Safavid period.
Features of Sarcham carvansarai
This carvansarai is square in shape. On four sides of the strucuture there four porches, which are quite large in size. The porches have survived upto now and have keep their stability against the passage of time, together with the entrance gate. Andarooni or shabestan (the inner quarters) has spectacular architecture, but unfortunately, many parts of it have collapsed. The most unfortunate part of this story is that the bricks and stones of the structeure have been dug up by natives to build their houses!
Based on Ali Nurollahi’s scientific research, the structure’s outer wall has been completely removed. But fearing that the building would collapse, the thieves left a remnant of the structure’s main entrance untouched. He considers Sarcham Caravanserai one of the most beautiful examples of architectural art in Iran, which fortunately has survived to some extent from vandalism. The portal was added to the structure during the Ilkhani period. A large hallway starts from the main entrance, and just the end part of this hallway is remaining. Those parts of the carvansarai that were built during the Safavid period are worth restoring, and this has been done with the help of cultural heritage experts. Other remains of this historic caravanserai are the walls of some rooms and the covering of two arches. The facade of the inner courtyard, which is one of the additions of the Safavid period, has been restored, and the structure has taken on a shape befitting its beauty.
Next to the stables, there are rooms for cattlemen. Signs prove that four watchtowers were built in each corner of the carvansarai, but now there is no trace of those towers. As we mentioned, its inscription shows the year the caravanserai was built and the name of the ruler during whose time this structure was built. That ruler, Sultan Abu Saeed Bahadur Khan, was the last Mughal Ilkhan who died in 736 AH (three years after Sarcham Caravanserai was built). With his death, the Ilkhanid territory was in turmoil. The river we mentioned earlier that runs near the carvansarai, is on the south side of the structure.
We mentioned the river next to the caravanserai. The river we mentioned earlier that runs near the carvansarai, is on the south side of the structure. But, few traces remain of these moqrans that were used to decorate Sarcham carvansarai.
