Sykes' History of Persia Vol 2 (pdf) - Heritage Institute

286 HISTORY OF PERSIA CHAP.
Persia, into decay, yet remains a superb sample
of the
style of the Safavi kings."
The Ala Kapi. On the east side of the Maydan is
which the
situated the Ala Kapi, or " Lofty Gate," by
royal palace was entered. It may more correctly be
described as a building in the form of a great arch on
which was constructed a talar^
or open throne-room, supported
by the wooden columns which form a distinctive
feature of Safavi architecture. Enthroned in state, the
Shah gave audience at the No Ruz, or New Year, in this
hall, which is declared by Chardin to be "le plus beau
Sallon de cette sorte que j'aye
vu au monde." His
Majesty also witnessed polo matches, horse races and
wild beast combats from this same building,
in which he
was visible to thousands of his subjects
who filled the
great square.
The Chehel Sutun. The Ala Kapi leads into the vast
gardens, in which were many palaces.
The most important
building is the Chehel Sutun, or " Forty Columns." 1
This splendid throne-room, with its roof constructed of
the boles of great plane trees and supported by twenty
columns made of the same tree, was formerly wainscoted
with white marble, surmounted by mirror-work set in
facets. Behind this verandah is the actual throne-room,
from which opened a dais supporting the throne. Small
rooms on either side were destined for the ministers
and for service, and behind, extending the entire length
of the building,
is a long gallery with three immense oilpaintings
on each side, three of which are reproduced in
this work. To quote again from Lord " Curzon, they
transport us straight to the court of the lordly Abbas and
his predecessors
or successors on the throne. We see
the king engaged in combat, or at some royal festivity,
enjoying the pleasures of the bowl. The big moustaches
and smooth chins, and abundant turbans, represent a
fashion of coiffure that has long expired. The arms and
accoutrements of the warriors, the instruments of the
musicians, the very gestures of the dancing-girls, open to
1
The number "Forty"
is not intended to be taken literally, any more than in the
caie of Periepolis, which also has for one of its names the " Forty Columns."