Let’s talk about a mosque that mirrors Samarkand’s ambition. The Bibi-Khanym Mosque stands before us. It is a testament to Timur’s grand vision.
This mosque was once one of Islam’s largest. It represents the Timurid Renaissance. Imagine it in the 15th century. It was magnificent.
Timur, also known as Tamerlane, ordered its construction. He wanted a gigantic mosque for his capital after his Indian campaign in 1399. By 1404, when Timur returned, the mosque neared completion. Yet, he demanded changes, especially to the main cupola.
From the start, the structure faced problems. Reconstructions tried to save it. But soon, bricks fell from the huge dome above the mihrab. Timur’s ambition stretched building techniques too far. The rushed construction also hurt its integrity.
Timur named the mosque after his wife, Saray Mulk Khanum. But she actually commissioned it herself. The Bibi-Khanym Mosque became her legacy.
Centuries took their toll. By the late 16th century, Abdullah Khan II stopped restoration. The mosque slowly deteriorated. Earthquakes and weather further damaged it. An earthquake in 1897 collapsed the inner arch of the portal. Locals scavenged its ruins for materials.
The Soviets began initial investigations to secure what remained. Later, the Uzbek government started a full restoration. They focused on the domes and main portal. Decorations were restored and enhanced. Inscriptions from the Quran’s Surat al-Baqarah were added. Restoration continues even now.
Architecturally, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque is a classic. Built between 1399 and 1405, it features an aivanyard layout. Its rectangular shape runs northeast to southwest toward Mecca.
Entering from the northeast, you pass through a vast portal. It leads to a courtyard. A monumental dome rises on the opposite side. Though large, it remains hidden from the courtyard view. This is because of a grandiose pischtak.
Two more modest domes face the courtyard’s long sides. This creates a “four-iwan scheme.” Open galleries once lined the courtyard. They featured brick vaults and over 400 marble columns. Today, only traces remain.
Four minarets stand at the corners. Others that once flanked the portal and main dome are yet to be completed. A stone pedestal holds a huge Quran stand in the courtyard’s center. This dates back to Timur’s time.
The Bibi-Khanym Mosque aimed to gather Samarkand’s men for Friday prayers. Its three domed rooms and open courtyard could hold them all.
The domes used an innovative design. The inner dome’s shape differs from the outer one. A hollow space separates them. This allowed for a grand interior and an impressive exterior.
Inside, gilding imitated local brocade embroideries. The Bibi-Khanym Mosque influenced architecture across Central Asia, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Local legend tells of the mosque’s construction. It says Timur’s Chinese wife ordered it built as a surprise. The architect fell in love with her and demanded a kiss. The kiss left a mark. Timur then ordered all women to wear veils to prevent temptation.
The mosque’s ambitious plans led to structural issues. It began to crumble before completion. Timur’s death in 1405 halted repairs. The mosque remained in use until the 17th century. The Tilla Kori Mosque then replaced it.
The interior houses a massive marble Quran stand. Legend says that a woman who crawls underneath will have many children. The courtyard also features two mosques. One displays untouched Arabic calligraphy.
The Bibi-Khanym Mosque stands as a symbol of Samarkand’s past. It embodies both ambition and artistry. Its story is etched in every brick and dome.