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Samarkand is one of the most ancient cities of planet. Samarkand is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as Rome, Athens and Babylon - more than 25 centuries old.

The original settlement to the east of the present-day city was established between two rivers in the heart of Trans. Oxania, or Maverannahr, as Central Asia was known in antiquity. In successive periods Samarkand has been the capital of the Sogdian, Samanid, Qarakhanid, Temurid and Shaybanid empires.

Today it is one of the main cultural centers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The universal significance of its archaeological and well-preserved architectural masterpieces and its historical importance as a crossroads of cultures is acknowledged by the inclusion of Samarkand into UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The city has seen many outstanding state and spiritual figures of the past: Alexander the Great and Ismail Samani, Imam al-Bukhari and Imam al Maturidi, Sultan Sandjar and Chingis Khan, Amir Temur and Mirzo Ulugbek, Knodja Ahrar and Zahriddin Babur.

History knows Amir Temur, who died in 1405, as a great sovereign, commander and founder of world power. In 1360 he headed the fight against the incursions of the Mongol armies into Central Asia, and in 1370 he was authorized to be the governor there.

Successful military operations against Khorezm, Iran, the Golden Horde, distant campaigns to Caucasus, the Middle East and India enabled Amir Temur to create the huge empire. Towards the end of his life Temur prepared a campaign to China, but died before his plans could be realized.

Amir Temur is esteemed for having revived belief in Islam, infringed during the Mongolian dominion, and for his leading role in stimulating the Renaissance of Middle Eastern culture which took place during the XVth to XVIth centuries. Under the reign of Amir Temur his capital Samarkand found glory as one of the most majestic cities of the East.

He left an indelible imprint not only on Central Asia, but indeed upon much of the Near East. Today, the other monuments he and his dynasty erected in the cities of Central Asia remain as testimonies of his greatness.

The well-known Temurid necropolis of Gur Emir was originally built as a mausoleum for Amir Temur’s favorite grandson Muhammad-Sultan, son of Amir Temur’s oldest son Djahangir and Uzbek khan’s granddaughter. When Muhammad-Sultan unexpectedly died in 1403 Amir Temur built a crypt there in which he buried his grandson. The majestic mausolueum built over the crypt was named Gur Emir. After his death in 1405 Amir Temur was buried in a marble sarcophagus in Muhammad-Sultan’s crypt.

By the middle of the XVth century Gur Emir was reconstructed by Amir Temur’s son Shahruh and his grandson Mirzo Ulugbeg as the family mausoleum of the Temurids. The remains of Amir Temur’s spiritual advisor Sayyid Baraka were buried in the crypt under the mausoleum. Amir Temur’s gravestone, situated at the foot of that of the Sayyid, was made of precious nephrite.

bibi-Khanym

The Mosque of Bibi-Khanym was built to the order of Amir Temur as the juma (cathedral) mosque of his capital Samarkand. The name of the mosque is connected with Bibi Khanym – Amir Temur’s senior wife Saray Mulk Khanym. By the end of the XVIIIth century Amir Temur’s cathedral mosques in the world. The cathedral mosque was extensively destroyed by earthquakes, so that not more than 60% of construction has come down to us. The dome of the main building and small lateral dome constructions are restored, and the fallen parts of the portal rebuilt.

Zhah-i-Zinda

The Shah-i-Zinda ensemble consists of a group of mausoleums and funeral mosques located on the southern slope of Afrasiab which grew up around the tomb of Kusam ibn Abbas, a cousin and companion of the Prophet Muhammad. In the time of the Qarakhanids in XI- XIIth centuries the site became a state relic and a mausoleum was above the symbolical grave of Kusam ibn Abbas.

The magnificent cenotaph of Kusam ibn Abbas was built in the time of Amir Temur in the 80 s of the XIVth century in the form of a five-step pyramid covered with majolica tiles. The tiles are decorated with fine vegetative ornaments interwined with Arabic calligraphic inscriptions with texts from the Kuran and hadith.

The ensemble, created during centuries, is remarkable for the unprecedented magnificence of its architectural decor. The refined beauty of Shah-i-Zinda seems to defy death and proclaim the eternity of the true, spiritual life.

observator

In the 1520 s the Governor of Samarkand, Mirzo Ulugbek, built the biggest observatory in the East. In the early years of the XXth century the observatory was rediscovered and excavated by the archeologist V. Vyatkin. The bottom part of its main device was found – a huge quadrant with a radious of 40, 2 m. and an arc 63 m long.

registan

In the time of Amir Temur the Registan became the main meeting place and focus for trade and crafts activities. The square was surrounded by monumental buildings, the earliest of which was the majestic Ulugbek madrassa. Originally a vast Sufi khanaka was built opposite the madrassa. In the southern part of the square, on the place of the old cathedral mosque, was built new Juma (Friday) mosque, and to the north the Mirzoi caravansarai.

traditional crafts

An important part of the culture of Samarkand is a popular craft. Samarkand masters were famous all over the world since olden days.

Along the branches of Great Silk Road unsurpassed beautiful fabrics - crimson velvet, brocade, silk, carpets, goods of metal and leather, jewelry, famous Samarkand paper and other goods were delivered from here to various countries.

And finally, the characteristic Samarkand bread «obi-non» , baked in clay furnaces, is on sale in the market. This round type of bread which looks like the Sun’s disk is famous for its special taste and originality of uts decoration.

conclusions

Having done the research, we can answer the questions in the Introduction of the report. Samarkand was founded 2, 750 years ago. Its history and culture differs its originality and uniqueness. The objects deserve attention of all mankind because of the wealth spiritual and material values. Thanks to the fact that they were included in the list of World Heritage of UNESCO in 2001.

Also thanks to the legendary Amir Temur, who started such a powerful state. Thanks to this ruler were built monuments of ancient architecture. Middle East, India and the Caucasus, Khorezm and Iran were conquered, he subordinated peoples. The capital of Sogdiana gained fame as one of the most magnificent cities in the East in period of the Board of Tamerlane. Samarkand connected to such outstanding historical figures like Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Ismail Samani. Samarkand attracts thousands of tourists from other the world in these latter days, striking by its kingliness and uniqueness.