Timurids Dynasty

Bibi Khanum Mosque, 1404, Samarkand, Timurids

• name the empress

• huge project that required 95 elephants for building materials

• Repeating unit of dome on square

• hypostyle w/ individual bays with domes on top

• standardized architectural notion - first plan appeared

• 8 minarets = repeatable unit

--- qibla iwan = 19 meters tall

--- pishtaq flanked by 2 minaret

• North dome is a new type → double-shelled dome rising on a very nigh drum cylinder

• inscriptions in blue (on drum)

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Gur-i Amir Madrasa-Mausoleum complex, 1404, Samarkand, Timurids

• built by Tümir for his grandson + heir (died at 29 in battle) but Tumir was buried here instead

• only tomb that remains

• banna'i brickwork w/ stylized kufic script

• dome: Kufic inscription "God is eternal"

• 4 minarets at each corner of the courtyard + plus 2 on the porta

• fluted double shell dome on drum rising from an octagon

typical Timurid structure…

--- courtyard 4-iwan plan

--- Pishtaq portal

--- bulbous profile (the dome)

--- repeating unit of minaret + iwan

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typical timurids structure… (4)

Ulugh Beg Madrasa, 1417, Samarkand, Timurids

• 35ft pishtaq

• 4 iwan plan = repeating unit

• bulbous fluted dome

• Muqarnas

• geometric pattern + Kufic script in banna'i brickwork

• Registan: facade eventually formed public plaza

• two other buildings added in the 17th c

• 3 together served as a public space, a plaza

typical Timurid structure…

• 4-iwan plan

• pishtaq portal

• dome-on-square with a high drum

• blue tile

• banna'i brickwork

• organized be principles of symmetry + modularity

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typical Timurid structure… (6)

Shah-i zinda, timurid tomb complex, Samarkard, 1350-1450. Timurids

• organized as an avenue (adapts to the natural typography with stairs + curving path)

• Saint's shire at the top of the hill (cousin of the prophet)

• Saint shrines are thought to have an aura of blessing called baraka

• Timurid princess where often built here

• Portal at the bottom

• 40 tombs along the central axis → so the facade would enclose the space along the avenue

• lose organization

• built over time

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Shirin Bika Aga Tomb (in Shah-i zinda compux), Samarkard, 1350-1450, Timurids

• Dome on square

• double-shell dome

• bulbous profile

• pishtaq portal

• underground chamber where the actual burial is

• no overall grid → but repeating unit of dome on square (uncommon for Timurid architecture)

• drum tall cylinder has banna'i brickwork inscription

• tilework decoration = experimental = patrons personal style

---- geometric, floral, square kufic, cursive inscriptions → in flat or relief (3D)

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