Bibi Khanum Friday mosque
Date:
Begun in 1399 and left incomplete at Timur's death in 1405
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Uzbekistan
Description:
The Bibi Khanum Friday mosque, in the Timurid capital of Samarkand, was named after Saray Mulk Khanum, the favorite wife of Timur (also known as Tamerlane; r. 1370–1405). It has a four-iwan plan with domed chambers behind each iwan. The mosque had structural integrity issues from the very beginning and the double-shell dome preceding the mihrab on the west side had to be rebuilt in the fifteenth century after earthquakes caused it to collapse. The marble Qur'an stand now in the courtyard (originally near the mihrab) was a gift from Timur's grandson, Ulugh Beg (r. 1447–49).
Much of the mosque was restored by the Soviet government in the twentieth century. Historical photographs reveal its pre-restored appearance.
Relevant Primary Sources
Much of the mosque was restored by the Soviet government in the twentieth century. Historical photographs reveal its pre-restored appearance.
Relevant Primary Sources
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
10
Image Credits:
Wikimedia Commons, Linda Safran, Navid Jamali
