Historically, Toghrol Tower served as a multi-functional beacon situated along the Silk Road. On nights obscured by fog, fires were ignited atop its high parapet to guide travellers journeying from Khorasan towards Rey. Beyond its role as a navigational landmark, the structure fulfilled the daily chronological requirements of the local population. The structural integrity of the tower was preserved in 1884 when
Naser al-Din Shah Qajar commissioned extensive restorations to the upper sections, which were at risk of total collapse at the time.
Burial dispute Significant historical debate surrounds the identity of the individual interred within this structure, as various scholars and historians offer competing theories regarding its origin. A prominent school of thought identifies the monument as the tomb of the Seljuk founder, Tughril Beg. This is supported by the historical text Majmal al-tawarikh, which states that the Sultan died in the city of Ray and was buried there, a view shared by the historian Faruk Sümer. Conversely, other writers suggest the tower is a 15th-century funerary site for Khalil Sultan, the grandson of Timur, and his wife, Shad al-Mulk. In the volume Ray-e Baastan (Ancient Ray), author Hossein Karimiyan notes that certain researchers attribute the monument to the Buyid ruler Fakhr al-Dawla instead. A further perspective was championed by Mohammad Mohit Tabatabai, who argued the building belonged to the mystic Ibrahim al-Khawass. Tabatabai’s personal conviction was such that he was buried adjacent to the 20-metre brick structure upon his death in 1992. Despite these varying attributions, the tower remains a definitive example of medieval Islamic architecture, though the absence of original inscriptions ensures the debate continues amongst contemporary archaeologists.
Decline and restoration Toghrol Tower underwent its first major renovation in 1884, marking the 35th year of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar's reign. Executed under the direct authority of the Shah, the project was managed by Chancellor Amin al-Sultan and overseen by the architect Abul Hassan Khan Memarbashi. During this period, marble plaques were installed above the building's entrance. While this structural intervention prevented the immediate collapse of the tower, it has been criticised for compromising the building's original aesthetic integrity and resulting in the loss of its historic Kufic inscriptions. Following the 1979 Revolution, the site remained largely neglected until the early 1990s. Comprehensive restoration efforts commenced in mid-1998 and concluded in the winter of 2000. Currently, the Tehran Municipality (District 20) is managing an expansive redevelopment project covering an area of 20,000 square metres (2 hectares). This initiative aims to transform the surrounding grounds into a significant cultural complex, incorporating a library, museum, and restaurant facilities. ==Gallery==