Shrine of Imam Muhammad Baqar's Son

Imamzadeh Complex Azerbaijan

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Imamzadeh Complex is undoubtedly the most popular and revered Imami shrines of Azerbaijan. It is considered as one of the sacred sites in view of its status as the last resting place of Imam Muhammad Baqar’s son Ibrahim. Located about 7 kms from Modern Ganja City, the complex is also called as ‘Blue Mosque’ after its recent major repairs and restoration undertaken on the directives of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.. While mausoleum of Imam’s son is the most noteworthy from the point of view of Central Asia architecture style, the complex also contains small mosque, funerary monuments, houses like Caravan Sarais (Inns) and a large cemetery.

It is believed that the mausoleum was built either at the end of 14th or beginning of 15th century. The other structures like the mosque, vault and other tombs traces their origin to 17th century. All of these buildings were maintained as great religious-historic complexes. Before the recent restoration, the mausoleum was last  restored by the initiative of Russian Army’s Major-General Israfil bey Yadigarzadeh in 1878-79 from his own means. The photographs taken by an unknown person in 1878 clearly reveal that the original structure of the shrine aned complex  has changed considerably during the repair works. The mausoleum now looks like  tower-cupola types of buildings. A two-storied arch shapes the extension of the mausoleum, surrounding the central kernel from three sides, with a portal from the eastern part. The mausoleum is built of square bricks and cylinder part of its  east half has inscription in Kufi handwriting. This inscription indicates as if the mausoleum was built in 13^th or 14^th century but an inscription in Arabic gives a specific idea about the death of Imam’s son and his subsequent burial at the complex. The inscription reads “  He is eternal from God. This is the honorable heaven garden of the son of Imam Mohammad Baghyr – salam to him – Movlan Ibrahim. He died after 120 years of his grand-father’s death – let Allah’s blessings to him.” After repairs and renovation, the complex has turned into a sanctuary of pious people. Devotees not only from various parts of Azerbaijan but from other countries also visit it. Besides offering antiquity of the city of Ganja, the complex also manifests its place and repute in the Islamic world in view of its architecture, engravings, tile work and beautifully designed exterior and interiors. (References available on request. Photo Courtesy Google Images)