The Construction of Al-Sultaniyyah City and Its Most Important Urban Manifestations During the Ilkhanid Mongol Period (651-756 AH/ 1253-1355 AD)

The Ilkhanid Mongols (651-756 AH / 1253-1355 AD) were interested in urbanization and construction in keeping with civilized countries and to have an architectural imprint that competed with the neighboring nations. The Ilkhan Öljeitü Muḥammad Khudābandeh (703-716 AH / 1303-1316 AD), known for his love of building and construction, wanted to have a capital that would immortalize his name and history, so he ordered its construction to compete with contemporary cities, and he summoned workers and engineers from all over the world to contribute to its construction. The city has several educational and service institutions such as schools, ribats, khanqas, mosques, hospitals, markets, and baths, as well as a mausoleum for him, which became one of the most beautiful urban landmarks during his reign. Among the ministers in building several institutions in the city, were Ali Shah Tabrizi (d. 724 AH / 1323 AD), and Faḍl Allah Rashid Al-Din al-Hamadhani (d. 717 AH / 1317 AD).