Gur-e Amir

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

The mausoleum of Timur (Tamerlane) in Samarkand, featuring a ribbed azure dome that became the prototype for Mughal funerary architecture, including the Taj Mahal.

Historical Context

Originally built for Timur's grandson Muhammad Sultan, the mausoleum became Timur's own resting place after his death in 1405. It also houses the tombs of Timur's sons and his tutor, the astronomer Ulugh Beg.