Samarkand - Shahi Zinda complex

Shahi Zinda, the mausoleum complex "Living King" in Samarkand, has a special place in the history and destiny of our ancestors. It is located in the southern part of ancient Samarkand and is one of the holy shrines.

The name of Shahi Zinda is related to the name of Qusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. According to Ghiyasiddin Jawhari, Qusam ibn Abbas was one of those who washed Muhammad (pbuh) after his death. Qusam was 8 years old at the time. It is narrated in the hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the doorstep of Qusam ibn 'Abbas that he said: Hazrat Qusam is the brother of Imam Hasan.

Qusam ibn Abbas ruled in Makkah during the caliphate of Ali ibn Abu Talib, the Commander of the Faithful. After his death, he was appointed governor of Khorasan in the time of Muawiya ibn Abu Sufyan. Uthman came to Movarounnahr with his son Sa'id. Uthman's son Sa'id took Samarkand and the people converted to Islam, leaving Qusam in Samarkand with a number of Islamic armies in order to strengthen the religion and establish the rules of Sharia. His main task was to propagate Islam in the country. This was not easy. Because the people of Ancient Movarounnahr worshiped fire.

They called on Central Asian states to actively fight the Arab invaders. However, the Islamic army overcame the resistance and began to occupy the interior of the country. In 677 AD, believers of other religions attacked the city. Qusam was shot at a mosque in Samarkand and was buried near a cave in Bonu-Nojiya Cemetery. According to another popular narration, Sa'id ibn 'Uthman, along with Qusam ibn' Abbas, set out to conquer Usrushana and rested for a few days when they reached Sirakas. In one of the battles here, Qusam ibn Abbas died. The coffin is sent to the city.

Luboba al-Kubra (Umm al-Fazl), the mother of Qusam ibn Abbas, was the sister of Maymuna bint Harith, the mother of the believers, and the wife of Abbas ibn Mutalib. He had six sons, Fazl, Abdullah, Ubaydullah, Qusam, Maruf and Abdurrahman. All of them were martyred while propagating Islam to different countries.

History and myth are thus intertwined.

It is located in the southern part of ancient Samarkand and is one of the holy shrines of eastern Muslims. Visiting King Zinda and performing prayers in this holy place is a good deed of every believer.

Most of the buildings in the complex are mausoleums built over the tombs of people belonging to the royal family. At the end of the 1219th century, the first tombs appeared on the upper platform. The tomb of Qusam ibn Abbas is one of them. Next to it was a mosque decorated with patterns in the style of wood carving. After the Mongol invasion in XNUMX, life in Afrosiab ended. The first tombs were slowly eroded by light. During the reign of Amir Temur, his close relatives and commanders built mausoleums for themselves around the tomb of Qusam ibn Abbas.

The Shahi Zinda complex fascinates tourists with its unique corridors and majestic buildings.

The sanctuary of these famous people in Samarkand is unique and unparalleled, and is one of the seven wonders of the world, including the Egyptian pyramids and the Taj Mahal.

It was originally built by Samarkand governors and scholars in the XNUMXth century in honor of Qusam ibn Abbas, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Initially, there was a mausoleum called "Tirikshah" in Samarkand, built only in the second half of the XI century during the first Karakhanids. Indigenous people have visited this place before. Later, in 1066, the Tamgach Boghrakhan Madrasah was built on the same place, and a number of adjacent complexes were formed. In the XI-XII centuries other magnificently decorated mausoleums began to appear. Archaeologists have unearthed several of them in a corridor on the west side of a XNUMXth-century structure. They differed from the mausoleums of the Timurid period by their decorations. At that time, the tomb of Qusam ibn Abbas was visited as a "sanctuary".

The military invasions of the Mongol invaders to Samarkand in the XIII century caused the destruction of many buildings of the XI-XII centuries. The cemetery was rebuilt in the XNUMXth century.

During the reign of Amir Temur (1370-1405) construction work was carried out very rapidly. Many of these structures have survived to our time. The category complex stretches from the north of Afrosiab to the south to the fortress wall of the city.

Some dahmas are built on the ruins of mausoleums of the XI-XII centuries. In the early XNUMXth century, buildings were built along the road from the tomb of Khoja Ahmad to the Hazrati Hizr Mosque. The architecture of the period of Amir Temur is further enriched with new techniques of decoration, ie cut tiles. The mausoleums will be built of two, with an outer and an inner dome, and a high cylindrical drum.

The Shahi Zinda architectural complex is built in three parts. The complex is entered through a huge carved gate. On the western wall of the roof, it is written that it was built by Abdulaziz Bahodir ibn Ulugbek ibn Shahrukh ibn Temur in 838 AH (1434-1435).

When we look at the remains of the mausoleum complex and the original buildings that have come down to us, we can see that their artistic decoration and decoration techniques have changed.

On the right side of Chartak there is a madrasah in a small courtyard. It was built in 1228 AH (1812-1813) by the governor Davlat Qushbegi. It was built by Samarkand master Muhammad Sidiq and master Abdu Zahid in 1910-1911. This monument demonstrates the taste and artistic skills of the masters of the XIX-XX centuries. Behind the mosque on the left side of the hill there is a two-room high blue-domed mausoleum (middle of the XV century). It is a wonderful example of architecture. It has two rectangular rooms connected to each other, a large room (shrine) and a small room (cemetery). There is a tombstone in the cemetery, under which there is a dahma. The four domes bring the chart to the face. The dome cap and takhmons have a multi-tiered muqarnas. The walls are decorated with flowers, but the patterns have been partially preserved. The double-domed mausoleum was shrouded in a veil of ignorance and caused considerable controversy among researchers.

The second part of the Shahi Zinda shrine starts from the forty steps and enters a medieval corridor full of mysteries and riddles. The width of the stairs is 5 gases. And here there is a completely different period, life with unique architectural solutions.

Here is the world of religious thoughts, not the dahma, not the grave, but the secrets of its burial. In the dahmas of the saints, you will encounter a completely different landscape, which will spiritually relieve the worries of modern life and lead you to a world of medieval architecture and elegant patterns. The colors on the glazed tiles of the tombs shine. All this makes the pilgrims fascinated by the tourists.

The monument, built for Amir Hussein and his mother, is created in the most delicate styles of architecture. Because Amir Hussein was one of the most strategically powerful commanders. Amir Temur paid homage to them, searched for monumental buildings and buried them here. The grace and beauty of the mausoleum is further enhanced by the inscriptions of the calligraphers. The mausoleum was built in 1376 and has been renovated several times to our day.

The front porch door was built in 1911, and the ornate ornaments and inscriptions on it attract attention.

The exemplary words "Repent before death - hurry to prayer before time" are written on the door. The lower part also includes a mosque, an office and a madrasa.

The inner domes of the double-domed mausoleum are embroidered, and the panels are decorated with hexagonal tiles. In 1949-1952, the mausoleum was inspected and cleared of overgrown soil and rebuilt.

Tomb of Shodimulk Oqo
Among the mausoleums, the mausoleum of Shadimulk aqa, built in 1372, is the first structure built in Shahi Zinda during the reign of Amir Temur. One of Amir Temur's heirs, Shodimulk aga, who died at the age of 11, is buried in the building.

Amir Temur's sister Turkan Aga built this building after her dead daughter. In 1383 he was also buried here.

The mausoleum has beautiful patterns and inscriptions. One of the inscriptions reads:

"It's a paradise, and there's a treasure trove," he said. In this tomb is hidden a precious gem. In it lies a gentle gentleman, so that this place can be compared to heaven. Among these dead, though there was a seal of power on his ring, a man like Solomon disappeared. ”

It is said that the masters of the building were Zayniddin and Bahriddin. Another large silent book reads: “Think of this shirtdat as a memorial to Zayniddin, with domes and golden roofs full of muqarnas. Every art and skill you see in this place is a blessing from the creator. ” The interior of the mausoleum is more luxurious and ornate.

That is why it is the most beautiful bouquet of the Shahizinda complex.

Tomb of Tugli Tekin
The next to rest in this sanctuary will be the late Amir Hussein. The date 777 AH is inscribed on the roof of the mausoleum. We read in the tablet: “May Allah send the blessed son of Amir Hussein, who was born in the world with the eyes of a happy Amir, to his Paradise. He died in the month of Zulqa in 777 AH.

Amir Hussein was one of the leading followers of Amir Temur, who was killed in 1376 AD (776-777 AH) in one of his battles against the Mongol khan Qamariddin in the Uch Turfan area above the Ili River. The words on the door of his tomb in Shahizinda are written: In this dark grave, my brothers, my hope in loneliness is God's mercy. ”

The mourning in this tomb confirms the eternal idea of ​​the world: “Nothing under the moon is eternal, whether it is great or small, it will find refuge in the dust of the earth, and it will be equal in equality. ”. These words wake everyone up. According to historical sources, Togli Tekin, the commander's mother, was also buried in the mausoleum. This great building was scientifically studied in 1952-1954 and protected and restored.

Tomb of Amirzoda
The famous historical monument once again tested the art of the masters. Because all types of tile in architecture were used in the construction of this building. The commander buried in this mausoleum is Amirzoda and seven of his nobles. Only the year of his death, 1386 (786), is inscribed on its roof. In this mausoleum, tile was made at a higher level. In it, floral, vinegar ceramics play a key role.

The interior of the building is also decorated in a unique style. During the last renovation, the charm of the mausoleum increased even more. Historical and archeological research, based on many findings, states that the monument is one of the most beautiful buildings of the period of Amir Temur.

Shirinbeka Oqomaqbarasi (XIV-XV centuries)
The loss of Amir Temur's liver caused a stir. He even stopped military marches. But the encouragement of his mentors gave him more strength. This magnificent building was named after Amir Temur's sister Shirinbeka aga, and the year of death of the deceased is 1385 (787 AH). These are the days of mourning in the kingdom of Sahibkiran. Amir Temur built a large mausoleum in honor of the queen, which was created in the second half of the XV century by the method of carving.

Its decoration differs from other mausoleums in terms of art style, the roof of which is covered with elegant national tiles. The Shirinbeka aqa mausoleum was the first building to use trimmed tiles. The domed part of the monument is decorated with an elegant style of tiling. The interior decorations of the building are decorated in a unique style with mural patterns in a golden floral landscape. In the Arabic husni letter, Surat al-Fath of the Qur'an has been completely restored from the dome of the inner room to the lower part. The inscriptions were adorned with finely shaped gold ornaments. The perimeter of the upper dome is decorated with colorful grilles.

Amir Temur, in the process of organizing "3", "5" and "7" annual military campaigns, effectively used the most unique aspects of the history and spirituality of other countries in the experience of his own country. That is why in the buildings built in his time we meet examples of art of different nationalities.

The building was scientifically studied and strengthened in collaboration with scientists and staff of the repair shop. In fact, the body of the deceased was examined. The panel part of the mausoleum is elegantly decorated with hexagonal blue ceramic tiles. To provide light to the interior, the windows at the top are fitted with colored glass grilles.

Even the wall decorations contain examples from the Holy Qur'an and the hadiths of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The repair work contributed to the longer life of the mausoleum.

During archeological excavations in 1964-1965, the remains of two adjacent mausoleums were found near the northern facade of the Shadimulk aqa mausoleum in the middle of the XNUMXth century. In the second part of the building, the entrance roof is decorated with polished ceramics.

There are three dahmas in the mausoleum, and the dahma in the middle attracts attention artistically. The dahma is decorated with a broken letter.

Unfortunately, there is no historical information in the inscriptions on the dahma. Therefore, it is not clear for whom the mausoleum was built. It is now renovated and open to tourists. In 1966, the remains of two buildings dating to the second half of the XNUMXth century were found to the north of the mausoleum. One of them was found to have a porch and a sagana.

An octagonal tomb
Among these mausoleums is a simple ornate, eight-sided mausoleum that is considered a unique example of architecture. It is a product of the art of Azerbaijani masters. Because of the openness of the sides, the interior decoration of the dome is distinguished by the fact that it symbolizes the clear celestial bodies.

At the bottom of the mausoleum there is a tomb of 4 noble women. The rich decorations of the building indicate that the Timurids also lived here.

During subsequent repairs, part of its dome was restored. Hadiths were written on the tympanums of the open arches. The unique gilded wall patterns in the interior of the room found a positive product in the verses of the Qur’an. The courtyard of the mausoleum was widened, and the burial processions in the tomb were opened and studied. The bone remains of individuals buried in wooden coffins have provided a source of vivid information about certain objects, their race and structure.

The eight open doors in it are reminiscent of the gates of paradise in the imagination of Muslims, because according to the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), "Paradise is under the feet of mothers." Its interior is decorated with simple patterns. Among the beautiful copies are special surahs from the Holy Qur'an. In 1963, the remains of two tombs were discovered to the north of the eight-sided mausoleum. Remains of a dahma wall and carved tombstones are left from it.

Tomb of Usta Ali Nasafy (XIV century)
The complex is one of the mausoleums built in the most diverse style. Because this monument was used by Ali Nasafi, a master of resistance, in the 60s and 70s of the XNUMXth century. In Kufic writing, the roof and interior of the building are masterfully crafted. It is also often referred to as the ‘flower mausoleum’, as the interior and exterior walls are decorated with colorful mysterious tiles, plant-like patterns. The geometric shape of the building is also a proof of our word. They intertwine to form an octagonal constellation. The shapes are decorated with various patterns, gilded and glazed tiles. In the corners of the building there is a porch full of muqarnas flowers.

The dome at the top of it was also two-story. At present, only the base-sided dome of this dome has been preserved. It has an Arabic inscription on its cover.

2nd unknown mausoleum (XIV century)
The remains of the 2nd unknown mausoleum were built on the foundations of the Tamgach Bugrakhan madrasah, which was in operation in the second half of the XNUMXth century. The murals on it are gilded. In some sources, the monument is named after the Great Sultanbegi. The building adds to the beauty of the roof with the beautiful calligraphy art used.

In the twelfth century there was a huge building here, beautifully decorated. In 1968-1974, the foundation of the building was cleared of soil layers. The monument here was one of the first structures in Central Asia. The roof of the madrasa is decorated with patterned bricks. After the death of Amir Temur, the mausoleum was severely damaged by natural disasters. As a result of an in-depth study of archival documents, experts have restored the back side walls and dome parts of the building. The roof of the mausoleum is filled with verses from Surat Ar-Rahman.

Archaeological excavations in the middle part have led to the discovery of the foundations of many ancient structures. This, in turn, further enriched the history of the Shohi-Zinda complex.

Tomb of Amir Burunduk (80s of the XNUMXth century)
Amir Temur was very attentive to his commanders. Having strategically very strong skills, this commander contributed to every victorious march of the master. Amir Burunduk contributed to the victory of Timur's army in many military campaigns. His body was buried with his relatives in a mummified case in a spruce coffin in the basement of the building.

The interior and exterior of the building are simply built. There are dahmas and tombs on the mausoleum stage. The lower part of its inner walls is adorned with intricate hexagonal mysterious patterns. Major renovations were carried out around the building in 1963 and 1998. Dahmas were studied openly. Among the inspected dahmas, the burial of a young man caught the attention of scholars. The deceased was buried in his own clothes. At present, his body is kept in the Samarkand State Museum as the most unique masterpiece of applied art. The entrance to the building has been left as it is.

Tuman Aqa complex (XIV century)
Malika Tuman is a famous woman who was known as "little mother" in the palace of Amir Temur. According to "Zafarnoma", Tuman aqa was born in 1365. His father, Amir Musa Temur, was steadfast in his campaigns against him. However, Timur's marriage to Tumon aqa helped to improve relations between them. Finally, in 1378, in honor of Temur Tumon aga, he built a beautiful garden called "Garden - Paradise" along the river Obi-Rahmat. It was a symbol of Timur's respect and reverence for Tumon aga.

At the end of the 808th century, Timur's younger wife, Tuman Aga, built a three-room monument. They consist of an office, a mosque and the Tuman aqa mausoleum. The tops of the deep shelves in the wall are decorated with elegant muqarnas made of ganja. At the bottom of the domes are windows that let in sunlight. National tiles were used on the walls of the complex. The monument was decorated by Azerbaijani tiler Sheikh Muhammad ibn Khoja Bandgir Tugrabozi. The izora on the wall are decorated with hexagonal dark green tiles. In some of the patterns, gold copies have been preserved. From the outside, the mausoleum attracts attention with its tiled roof and high blue dome. Its date is 1405 AH, which is XNUMX AD. It is clear that the words "May Allah continue his reign" were said about Amir Temur. In another inscription, we read the words, "Khatti Sheikh Muhammad ibn Hajja Bandgir at-Tabrizi." He was a famous calligrapher in Timur's palace.

After Timur's death, the fate of his princesses was devastated. During the short reign of Khalil Sultan, by his order, Tuman aqa married Sheikh Nuriddin. But he was also assassinated. The second widow, Princess Tuman, went to Herat at the invitation of Shahrukh Mirza. He lives in the Kokhisan district near the capital. The majestic inn in which he lived has also retained its charm.

The inner dome of the mausoleum was decorated with fine gold ornaments during the next renovation, and all the inscriptions on the Arabic husni letter were restored. The architects of Samarkand have restored the roof decorations on the exterior of the building. The merits of teachers and scholars of Samarkand and Bukhara in this good work have been great. The Shumanbeka aqa mausoleum is distinguished by the harmony of the Tuman aga mausoleum, which is elegantly covered. The majesty of the building and its compactness distinguish this mausoleum from others.

Tomb of Hoja Ahmad (XIV century) 1360
This mausoleum is considered to be the oldest of the buildings built in the XIV century. The mausoleum is located at the end of the corridor. The façade of the mausoleum faces south. The building is associated with the name of Sheikh Hoja Ahmad, who broke Islamic spirituality and his great services to its history. The arched roof of the mausoleum is of great historical and artistic significance. The background of the carved tile is mostly turquoise, with the verses of the Holy Qur'an painted in white. It is here that the name of the architect Fakhr Ali is inscribed in small letters in the floral decoration. The two sides of the verses are framed with tiles. At the beginning of the 1922th century, only the sloping roof of Khoja Ahmad's mausoleum survived. Therefore, the outer wall of the mausoleum was rebuilt in 1962 and the roof was closed. In XNUMX, the roof of the Khoja Ahmad Mausoleum was repaired and the unique facade was cleaned and strengthened.

Archaeological excavations were carried out in the foundation of the building and a 12-meter-long Lakhm cave was found. This was another novelty for history. The roof of the mausoleum and the upper dome have been restored.

Kutlug Aqa Mausoleum (1360-1361)
Another monument of the XIV century, built in a unique style, is the mausoleum of Kutlug aga. The inscription on the roof shows that the mausoleum was built in 762 AH (1360-1361). This inscription is a motto that the mausoleum was built for the nobility. It is also not surprising that the architect of the tomb of Hoja Ahmad built it.

Qusam Ibn Abbas Complex
The chart in the north leads to the base of the complex. In his introduction, the following hadiths of Muhammad (saas) are written: On the east side of the chart there is a two-tiered carved stone door. The door was designed by master Said Yusuf Sherozi in 1404-1405 by order of Amir Temur. The patterns of the door are designed as a unique work of art, with ivory steps on the Arabic inscriptions. on one of the two-tiered doors is written the words: "The gates of heaven are open to the poor." On the second floor, "The doors of mercy are open to the merciful."

To the right of the dome corridor is an even older XNUMXth-century tower. The roof of the tower is made of shaped bricks.

We see the greatest works of art of the past in the Hazrat complex. Inside it is a revolving staircase. The corridor leads to the XNUMXth century mosque. This monument is built on the remains of a building built in the XII century. The lower part of the walls and the altar are decorated with mysterious tiles.

A small toilet is connected to the church on the west side. At the bottom there is a chillaxona. Each of them has its own responsibilities. Remains of the shrine from the late 1960th century are preserved on the north wall, which were discovered during a XNUMX survey.

Here, wooden fragments of a mosque built before the Mongol invasion have been preserved. These carved wooden pieces are a unique monument of the Karakhanid period. The shrine was built in the 30s of the XIV century. On the south-western part of the octagonal part of the wall dome, the date 735 AH (1334-1335 AD) is quietly inscribed in a plant-like pattern.

The mausoleum of Qusam ibn Abbas is the most important and ancient mausoleum in the complex. The mausoleum consists of a shrine and a shrine. Each of them has its own etiquette of visiting.

The mausoleum is the tomb of Qusam ibn Abbas, which is decorated with ceramic tiles from the time of Amir Temur. The date of Qusam ibn Abbas's death is inscribed on the tomb as 57 AH (676 AD). All the rooms of the complex have been restored to their original condition by skilled craftsmen during the last renovation. Stunning patterns and ornaments continue to adorn the walls, showcasing the great works of art of our people to the peoples of the world. The zeal shown by our Head of State in this noble work is incomparable.

Following the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 2004 of July 16, 337 "On the organization of reconstruction and beautification of the Shahi Zinda Memorial Complex", the work carried out in and around the Shahi Zinda Complex added. Over the years, the need for repairs has extended the life of historic buildings to longer periods.

During the repair, archeological, ethnographic, historical research was carried out, the condition of each monument was studied, and extensive repairs were carried out on the basis of advice and recommendations from experts.

The inscriptions on the mausoleum were restored on the basis of sources of hadith and Qur'anic verses.

In this work, calligraphers and teachers of Samarkand and Bukhara madrasas have contributed to the solution of many scientific problems. The unique style of art has added beauty to the beauty of mosques and mausoleums.

Through the wooden fence of the south wall inside the shrine, one can see the tomb of Qusam ibn Abbas in the shrine. Khilkhona was built at the same time as the mausoleum - in the XI century. In the 80s of the XIV century a new tombstone was erected on the tomb. On its sides, the verses of the Holy Qur'an are inscribed in gold.

King Zinda sheds light on the hundred-year evolution of the origins of the magnificent dahmas from the early fourteenth century to the mid-fifteenth century. Unfortunately, the main part of it from the XI-XII centuries has almost disappeared.