Gūr-e Amīr Mausoleum marks the final resting place of Timur (Tamerlane), along with two sons and two grandsons.
One of the most significant architectural ensembles of medieval East, the Gūr-e Amīr was built in the southwestern part of Samarkand at the beginning of the XV century. This majestic complex consisted of a khanaka, the madrasah of Muhammad Sultan - grandson of Amir Timur, and, later, the tombs.
Although Amir Timur prepared a mausoleum for himself in his native Shakhrisabz, it was Gur Emir that became his tomb when he died in the winter of 1405.
Timur’s gravestone is made of a single piece of jade and is located in the center of the tomb. Typical of megalomaniacs, the tomb is inscribed with a warning that read “when I rise from the dead, the world shall tremble”, and “whomsoever opens my tomb shall unleash an invader even more terrible than myself” is inscribed in his coffin.
His grave is located below, in the mausoleum basement.
A fine example of medieval architectural craftsmanship, Gur Emir was a prototype for famous samples of architecture of the Great Mughal: Humayun Mausoleum in Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra, built by Timur descendants, who ruled northern India.
Note:
Photo 2: bricks with turquoise and lapis lazuli tiles inlay with the word ‘Allah’ in Kufic script adorns the external walls
Photo 4: evidence of the use of pointillism or stippling painting technique used for the interior murals
Photo 7&8: gold leaf inscriptions (restored with gold paint) against azure and indigo arabesques - colours that represents heaven, water, and transcendence
Photo 10: decagram marble inlay floors representing the perfect balance and harmony that exists between the spirit and material realms; a powerful symbol of creation
#gureamirmausoleum #gureamir #timur #mausoleum #grave #tamerlane #amirtimur #timuridempire #turcomongol #empire #amir #conqueror #mughal #samarkand #uzbek #uzbekistan #ancientarchitecture #medieval #medivalarchitecture #architecture