Baharestan Carpet

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The Baharestan carpet (Persian فرش بهارستان, meaning the spring carpet) was commissioned by Sasanian Shahanshah Khosrow Anūšakrūwān), which was made for the main audience hall of the Sasanian dynastic imperial Palace at Ctesiphon in the province of Khvârvarân (nowadays Iraq).

It was 450 feet long and 90 feet wide. It depicted a formal garden. In 637 CE With occupation of Iranian capital, Tyspawn, the Baharestan carpet was taken by the Arabs, cut into small fragments and divided among the victorious soldiers as booty.^[1]

According to the historical accounts, ehen Ctesiphon fell to the Muslims in the carpet was too heavy for invaders to carry away so it was taken with the other booties. The Muslims called it al-qetf “the picked" and, since it was left over after Sa'd b. Abī Waqqās divided the carpet; he sent it to Capliph 'Omar in Medina. 'Omar wanted to keep the carpet as symbol of conquering the Persian Empire, but, 'Alī ibn Abi Talib was concerned lest someone be deprived of a rightful share in the future; so 'Omar cut it up and divided it among the Muslims. 'Alī received one piece, which he sold it for 20,000 dirhams.^[2]

According to historians, the famous Tāqdis throne was also covered with 30 special Baharestan carpets representing 30 days of a month and four other carpets representing the four seasons of a year.^[3]

[edit] References

^ al-Tabri, The history of al-Tabari, vol. XIII(the conquest of Iraq, Southwestern Persia and Egypt), tran. G. H. A. Juynboll, New York (1989), pp.29-36
^ M. G. Morony, Bahar-e Kasra, (LINK); accessed February 27, 2007.
^ al-Tabri, The history of al-Tabari, vol. XIII(the conquest of Iraq, Southwestern Persia and Egypt), tran. G. H. A. Juynboll, New York (1989), pp.29-36