Islam Khoja Minaret overlooking
a street in the old city, Itchan Kala.
Khiva, Uzbekistan.

 

 

The golden age of the builders

 

After the Mongol invasion and its train of destruction, construction reappeared in Central Asia. The 14th century saw the construction of the Muhammad Bashshar Mausoleum, the Manas Gumbaz Mausoleum, and the Kubba of the Sufi dynasty, called the Turabek Khanum Mausoleum. The most important masterpieces of monumental architecture were erected during the second third of the 14th century and the first third of the 15th century under the reign of Timur (Tamerlane) who forcibly used the best builders of his immense empire, and under the reign of his grandson Ulugh Beg who erected majestic mosques and madrasahs, a great number of mausoleums, palaces, caravanserais, and covered markets, in Samarkand as well as in Bukhara.

 

They are famous for the harmony of their forms, the boldness of their architecture, and the richness of their ornaments. Today one can also admire the imposing ruins of the Ak Sarai Palace at Shahrisabz, entirely covered with polychrome alabaster mosaics, and the great mosque of Tamerlane at Samarkand.

 

This mosque, called Bibi-Khanym (one of Tamerlane’s wives who inspired many legends) was to outshine all the mosques of the Islamic world, according to the architect who planned it. Particular attention was attached to mausoleums. Some were majestic, such as Tamerlane’s tomb called Gur-e Amir at Samarkand, which is one of the gems of Islamic Art. Others are smaller and of gracious forms, such as the numerous mausoleums of the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis. One of the most striking works by the architect of the Timurid is the Ulugh Beg Madrasah at Samarkand, whose façade is emphasised by a high portal and four minarets at the angles.

 

All the walls are covered in azure, turquoise, and gold mosaics. The edifices of the 14th and 15th century are dominated by polychrome decoration in glazed bricks and baked clay. The same process is used for the interior decorations and sometimes the polychrome paintings are enriched with gold. Ornamental sculpture on wood or stone also became more important during this epoch.