Hasht Bihisht (architecture)

The term was used in Persian literature as a metaphorical image, and was later notably used in a poem by Indian poet Amir Khusrow, who gave the most comprehensible literary reconstruction of the model in his adaptation of an Iranian epic about Sasanian ruler Bahram V, as well as in other works by Ottoman poets Sehi Bey and Idris Bitlisi.

It is closely related to Islamic eschatology, in which heaven is described as having eight gates and eight spaces, and is also observed in Christian symbolism in the concept of salvation.

[1] Similarly, the Chinese magic square, which was employed for numerous purposes, finds its way into Islamic mathematicians as "wafq".

Later, developments of the hasht-behesht divided the square at 45 degree angles to create a more radial plan, which often also includes chamfered corners; examples of which can be found in Todar Mal's Baradari at Fatehpur Sikri and Humayun's Tomb.

Each element of the plan is reflected in the elevations with iwans and the corner rooms expressed through smaller arched niches.