Naqsh-e Rajab (alt: Naqš-e Rajab) is an archaeological site just east of Istakhr and about 12 km north of Persepolis.
Together with Naqsh-e Rustam, which lies less than a kilometer away, the site is part of the Marvdasht cultural complex. Together, the two sites are a tentative candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Naqsh-e Rajab is the site of four limestone rockface inscriptions and bas-reliefs that date to the early Sassanid era. One of the carvings is the investiture inscription of Ardeshir I (r. 226 - 241), the founder of the dynasty. The second investiture inscription is Ardeshir's successor, Shapur I (r. 241 - 272). A third bas-relief, known as 'Shapur's Parade' celebrates the king's military victory in 244 over the Roman emperor Valerian I and Philip the Arab. A fourth bas-relief and inscription is attributed to Kartir, high priest under Shapur I and his sons Hormizd I (r. 272 - 273) and Bahram I (r. 273 – 276).
