Antiquities of Samarkand. Madrasah of Bibi Khanym. Section of a Column on the Facade of the Main Arch

1868
This photograph of a detail of the entrance structure at the Bibi Khanym ensemble in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) is from the archeological part of Turkestan Album. The six-volume photographic survey was produced in 1871-72, under the patronage of General Konstantin P. von Kaufman, the first governor-general (1867-82) of Turkestan, as the Russian Empire's Central Asian territories were called. The album devotes special attention to Samarkand’s Islamic architecture, such as 14th- and 15th-century monuments from the reign of Timur (Tamerlane) and his successors. Built in 1399-1405 with the spoils of Timur’s campaign in India, the Bibi Khanym ensemble was designated the city’s main mosque and named in homage to Timur’s senior wife, Sarai Mulk Khanym (bibi meaning “lady” or “mother”). Intended to be one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world, the ensemble included not only the main mosque, but also a grand structure that served as an entrance to the primary courtyard. Although the structure was severely damaged over the centuries in an active seismic zone, much ornamentation survived, including this column with a “twist rope” shaft attached to the brick walls of the main entrance arch. The enormous size of the column is evident from the turbaned figure standing next to it. Also visible is a decorative band of ceramic tiles, as well as interlocking brick patterns on the walls.

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Filename: 3753.jpg
Copyright: acku Afghanistan
Image Size: 1800x2678 / 262.0KB; 1868 Uzbekistan Samarqand Samarkand Antiquities Madrasah Bibi Khanym Columns Men Archaeological Sites Islamic Architecture Photo WDL 010213
Contained in galleries: UZBEKISTAN

1868<br />
This photograph of a detail of the entrance structure at the Bibi Khanym ensemble in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) is from the archeological part of Turkestan Album. The six-volume photographic survey was produced in 1871-72, under the patronage of General Konstantin P. von Kaufman, the first governor-general (1867-82) of Turkestan, as the Russian Empire's Central Asian territories were called. The album devotes special attention to Samarkand’s Islamic architecture, such as 14th- and 15th-century monuments from the reign of Timur (Tamerlane) and his successors. Built in 1399-1405 with the spoils of Timur’s campaign in India, the Bibi Khanym ensemble was designated the city’s main mosque and named in homage to Timur’s senior wife, Sarai Mulk Khanym (bibi meaning “lady” or “mother”). Intended to be one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world, the ensemble included not only the main mosque, but also a grand structure that served as an entrance to the primary courtyard. Although the structure was severely damaged over the centuries in an active seismic zone, much ornamentation survived, including this column with a “twist rope” shaft attached to the brick walls of the main entrance arch. The enormous size of the column is evident from the turbaned figure standing next to it. Also visible is a decorative band of ceramic tiles, as well as interlocking brick patterns on the walls.