Inarchitecture, ahasht-behesht (Persian:هشت‌بهشت,romanized: hašt-behešt,lit. 'eight heavens') is a type offloor plan consisting of a central hall surrounded by eight rooms,^[1] the earliest recognized example of which inIranian architecture is traced to the time of thePersianateTimurid Empire. The term was used inPersian literature as a metaphorical image, and was later notably used ina poem by Indian poetAmir Khusrow, who gave the most comprehensible literary reconstruction of the model in his adaptation of anIranian epic aboutSasanian rulerBahram V, as well as in other works byOttoman poetsSehi Bey andIdris Bitlisi.^[1] Thearchitectural form was adopted and used also inOttoman andMughal architectures.

The concept of hasht-behesht is linked to that of the Avestanvahišta (Avestan for "best"; cognate withMiddle Persianwahišt,New Persianbehešt),^[1][2] a building decorated with precious stones that would represent the astrological concept of eight planets corresponding to eight heavens. It is closely related toIslamic eschatology, in whichheaven is described as having eight gates and eight spaces, and is also observed inChristian symbolism in the concept ofsalvation.^[1] Similarly, the Chinesemagic square, which was employed for numerous purposes, finds its way into Islamic mathematicians as "wafq". Ninefold schemes find particular resonance in the Indianmandalas, the cosmic maps ofHinduism andBuddhism.^[3]

Although the trace of an olderSasanian equivalent is presumed, the earliest recognized use of the hasht-behesht plan is traced to a now non-extant two-storied pavilion namedTarab-khana that was built under the reign of thePersianateTimurid Empire rulerBabur Mirza (1449–1457) inHerat, a prominent city in medievalKhorasan.^[4][5]

Later, under theAq Qoyunlu, a plan was used in the eponymous pavilion ofHasht Behesht Palace inTabriz, completed in 1483–1486.^[6] Later again, under the reign of Iran'sSafavid dynasty, the same plan was used in the eponymous pavilion ofHasht Behesht inIsfahan.^[1][7]

Inthe architecture of thePersianateMughal Empire, hasht-behesht was the favorite plan forgardens and pavilions, as well as for mausolea (seen as a funerary form of pavilion). These were planned as square or rectangular buildings divided into nine sections, with a central domed chamber surrounded by eight elements. Later, developments of the hasht-behesht divided the square at 45 degree angles to create a more radial plan, which often also includeschamfered corners; examples of which can be found in Todar Mal's Baradari atFatehpur Sikri andHumayun's Tomb. Each element of the plan is reflected in the elevations withiwans and the corner rooms expressed through smaller arched niches. Such structures are often topped withchattris, small pillared pavilions at each corner.

• Iranian architectural elements
• Safavid architecture
• Mughal architecture elements
• Ottoman architecture
• Islamic architectural elements
• Iranian inventions

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