Shahi Zinda Necropolis:
The remarkable complex of buildings comprising tombs and mausoleums of Timurid aristocracy and religious scholars. Shahi Zinda is a pilgrimage site which literally means ‘living king. It is believed by the locals that this is the burial site of Kassam ibn-e-Abbas, cousin of Prophet Muhammad (S.A). His tomb is regarded by the locals as main pilgrimage site for Muslims of the region. The complex comprises of four sections called ‘chartaks’ each segment with unique tombs. Shahi Zinda necropolis is spread over a period of eight centuries from 7tht to 19th century. The earliest starting with the tomb of Kussam Ibn-Abbas who is believed to have accompanied the early Arab armies in 7th century as a preacher of Islam. He spread word of Islam among the among the local populace which followed Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Manicheism. From 11th to 19th century over different periods of its construction, Shahi Zinda is the best example of seeing different phases of decorative art work in tiles, mosaics and majolica throughout Central Asia
I have not always been as now:
The fever’d diadem on my brow
I claim’d and won usurpingly—
Hath not the same fierce heirdom given
Rome to the Caesar—this to me?
The heritage of a kingly mind,
And a proud spirit which hath striven
Triumphantly with human kind.
Gur Emir: (Mausoleum of Tamerlane)
Tamerlane as Amir Timur was known to the west was of Turco-Mongol ethnicity. His lineage is associated with Turkicized Barlas tribe aristocracy. His tribe had settled in Kish which was a major urban center of Sogdiana dating back to 5th century BC as part of Achaemenid Empire and continued till the arrival of Mongols. Tamerlane’s powerful Barlas tribe often made incursions into Samarkand. He had developed fondness for the city knowing its importance as an ancient historical town. In 1366 he occupied Samarkand later in 1388, made it his seat of governance declaring it as the ‘capital of the world’ He had realized the importance of Samarkand and decided to reconstruct it employing Persian engineers and experts in water way system. He was impressed with Isfahan buildings which his Mongol predecessors had adopted after conversions to Islam. He sought advises from religious leaders in day to day matters of his administration. Tamerlane’s successes had carved out a huge empire, world had ever seen. He ordered construction of the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi in Yasi (Turkestan) 1389 – 1405. employed best Persian architects for its construction. His liking and respect for Khoja Ahmed Yassawi as his spiritual mentor and this could be judged from the central dome is a prototype of Tamerlane’s mausoleum.
His invasion of Persia significantly changed his view of invading lands. He looked into the rich culture of Persian territories and decided to take best advantage of hiring engineers, canal experts and builders. He not only adopted Persian style of construction but also followed richness of arts and crafts which had already changed the Mongol ruling classes which were greatly Persianized. The court language of Amr Timur was Persian while he could speak Mongolian and Turkic of his own origins.
Tamerlane died in 1405 leaving a rich legacy which had changed the demographics of the region. His successors rulled over vast swathes of land he had captured. Most successful of his succeeding generation known as the Great Mughals laid the foundation of a dynasty which lasted for more than three hundred years in India.