Harireh Ancient City of Kish Island - Sa'di's Talk to a Merchant on Kish Island - Palatial House - Harireh Congregational Mosque

Sep 28, 2026

Harireh Ancient City on Kish Island is described through its geography, history, and surviving architecture. The text highlights how Kish prospered after a 977AD earthquake elsewhere, became a major trade headquarters along maritime routes in the Persian Gulf, and was later affected by Portuguese control in 1507AD. It recounts Sa'di’s conversation with a merchant whose travels and trade ambitions span regions from Turkestan to Alexandria, China, India, Aleppo, and Yemen. Archaeological findings are outlined, including the Palatial House and the Harireh Congregational Mosque, with details on courtyards, water-storage systems, minarets, mihrabs, and early construction dates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time31 min

AccessFree to download

Harireh Ancient City of Kish Island

Sa'di's Talk to a Merchant on Kish Island

Palatial House

Harireh Congregational Mosque

HarirehAncient City of Kish Island In the Nameof Allah The houses of Kish were high and castle-like and the Islandpossessed palm groves and qanats full of drinking waterand most of its people were merchants,pearl-fishersand fishermen. After "Siraf legendary port"(near Bushehr)was hit hard byan earthquake in 977AD,Kish Island started to rise andprosper.In the Mongol Ilkhans and Timurids eras,it wasthe leading headquarters of trade between East andWest on the marine route of sik Road in the Persian Gulf,The Island was renowned for keeping the treasury of theAtabegs of Fars.Its bustling bazaar recalls merchants Sa'di,Marco Polo,Ibn Battuta and other famous peopleand historians either traveled to Kish or wrote aboutits glory and significance. Portuguese navy gained possession of Kish and ormuzin 1507 AD.The long presence of colonialists is among/he factors whiclaused a city by such glory and splendor46 become deserted and dlepopulat a. Archacologists have destCd and unearthedsome ructures pf Harireh ancient city ncludingPala House,ncient yort,Hamn bath-house), Sa'di's Talk to a Merchant on Kish Island (800 years ago) I met a merchant who possessed onehundred and fifty camel loads ofall night no rest kept up an incoherentgabble,saying:T have such and such awarehouse in Turkestan,such and suchgoods in Hindostan;this is the title-deedof such and such an estate and in thisaffair such and such a man is security.'He said:T intend to go to Alexandriabecause it has a good climate',andcorrecting himself continued:'No,because the African sea is boisterous. O Sa'di,I have one journey more toundertake and after performing itI shall during the rest of my life sit in acorner and enjoy contentment.'I asked:What journey is that?'He replied:T shallcarry Persian brimstome to China becauseI heard that it fetched a high price.I shallalso carry Chinese porcelain to Rum andRumi brocade to India and Indian steel toAleppo,convey glass-ware of Aleppo toYemen,striped cloth of Yemen toPares.After that I shall abando tr dig andshall sit down in a shop.Te hac t tukcd somuch of this nonsense at o morestrengthemained in hinyso said:O Sadi,you also tell.m some n ofwhat you have seen and heard.'I ro led: Have you heard that in the plain of Ghur, Once a chief merchant fell down from his beast of burden? Saying:"The narrow eye of awealthy man Will be filled eithek bu covstent on by the earth of the tomb” Chapter .22 he Excellan :Contentment, n Gole r家che Roso Cardon by sad;Worlds farmous Perstan Poet # Palatial House Its standing remains belong to Ilkhanid and Timurideras (around 800 years ago). On the right side of the entrance,there is a room forreception and meeting guests and trade parties.Afterpassing the main entrance and corridor,we enter thecentral courtyard which was presumably roofless and for service staff and water-closet.From the central courtyard,two flights of steps lead to the second floor of which someparts of balcony and floor have survived. The significance of sweet water use and storage resultedin water channel system and private cistern inside thebuilding which are seen in abundance in other places ofthe ancient city. Harireh Congregational Mosque The standing remains of the Mosquereveal its significance and status in Kishof old days.At present,the remains ofone minaret,four mihrabs of differentperiods and one cistern have beenidentified in the Mosque.The earlieststructure of the Mosque,small in size,began with maximum three bays deepand a simple and small mihrab (900 to1000 years ago).

FAQs

What factors helped Kish Island rise and prosper after earlier disasters?

After “Siraf legendary port” was severely damaged by an earthquake in 977AD, Kish Island began to rise and prosper.

How did the merchant in Sa'di’s talk describe his future journeys and trade plans?

He planned to carry Persian brimstone to China and Chinese porcelain to Rum, then trade Rumí brocade and other goods onward through India, Aleppo, Yemen, and beyond before settling and enjoying contentment.

What architectural and water-management features are mentioned for the Palatial House?

The building’s significance is linked to sweet-water use and storage, including a water-channel system and private cisterns, alongside preserved courtyards and parts of balconies and floors.

Sep 28, 2026

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