The nearby cement factory’s mining operation at Mount Bibi Shahrbanu has become one of the serious threats to the bas relief.
In addition, cultural officials’ recent efforts to renovate the old citadel of Rey and beautify Cheshmeh Ali (Ali Spring) by constructing several water fountains have caused further damage to the bas relief.
Experts have voiced strong opposition to the renovation activities, but it seems that almost no one else cares about the issue.
Due to its beautiful attractions, Rey was used as a recreation center during the reign of the Qajar dynasty, and Fat’h Ali Shah visited the city often.
Fat'h Ali Shah (1771-1834) was the second Qajar King of Persia. He ruled from 1797 to 1834.
In 1831, on the order of Fat’h Ali Shah, a bas relief portrait of the monarch wearing a crown and with a spear in his hand targeting a lion as well as bas relief portraits of some Qajar princes were engraved on the southern slope of Cheshmeh Ali Hill.
The Bibi Shahrbanu tomb is located to the north of Aminabad on the mountain rocks. It is attributed to the daughter of Yazdgird III, the last Sassanid monarch, who was also the wife of Imam Hussein (AS) and the mother of Imam Sajjad (AS).
RM/HG
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MNA