Gur -e Amir ( the tomb of Temurids ) -is one of the most brilliant architectural monuments of Samarkand. The octagonal prism , carrying a cylindrical drum with a huge ribbed dome with a diameter of 15 m at the base and the height of 12.5 m, is the basis of the building.
Gur -Emir –is the ensemble of buildings associated with the name of Temur’s beloved grandson,Crown Prince- Muhammad Sultan .The other two sides of the yard are fenced by high walls with four corner minarets and entrance portal , covered with mosaic facings of rare beauty , which was made by master- Mahmud Isfahan’s son- Muhammad.
After the death of Mohammed Sultan in 1403 , Temur gave the order to establish the south wall of the courtyard with a burial crypt . By the time of Temur ‘s death the mausoleum was not finished . Upon completion of construction the dust of Temur’s spiritual leader- Mir Sayyid Bereke, was transported from Afghanistan and was buried in the mausoleum , and according to Temur’s will, his own ashes were buried it his leaders feet. Beside him , on the east side , buried Mohammed Sultan . Gradually, the mausoleum became the Temurids family crypt , called Gur -Emir - the grave of the Emir. The remains of Temur’s sons - Miranshah and Shah Rukh also were taken there. Later, the remains of Temur’s grandson - Ulugbek were transferred there and laid at his feet .
In the crypt of the mausoleum there are three unknown burial. In the western niche is the tomb attributed to the Mir Seyid Umar , but correct to consider " the grave of an unknown person ," as the inscription on the tombstone says. There are two children’s graves . One of them may belong to Hassan - Temur's grandson from his daughter , and a small headstone to the west of the tomb Bereke - one of the two graves , where his grandchildren were buried in.
In addition to the graves in the crypt of the Gur- Emir , there are a lot of gravestone inscriptions, written Temurids (almost all the graves of women and children) in the dome areas Madrasa of Sultan Muhammad , and the room adjacent to one side of the mausoleum.
Gur -e Amir was the subject of Ulugbek’s special concern, when he was appointed governor of Samarkand. By his decision, the mausoleum has been renovated: marble lattice was set around the graves, Temur’s tombstone was made of dark green jade.
On Temur’s headstone is carved Arabic inscription , which states that Temur was descended from Genghis Khan’s ancestor . At the end of the inscription held the legendary story of the virgin birth of one Genghis Khan’s ancestors, a woman named Alankuva " of light penetrated to her through the door and appearing as a perfect man ."
Located on the courtyard of the mausoleum stone of gray marble ( kok -tash ) decorated with carvings , served the throne with in XVII century.
