Uzbekistan: Fluted dome of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Samarkand

The Bibi Khanum was built by Timur the Great (1336-1405, r.1370-1405), also known as Tamerlane. The mosque was built in honour of his chief wife, Saray Mulk Khanum and was constructed on an epic scale.

The building was financed from the spoils of a recent campaign to Delhi (1398) and built with the labour of 95 imported Indian elephants. The original 35m entry arch was flanked by 50m minarets that led into a court paved with marble and flanked with mosques.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia