The grave of Tamerlane: where is, the history, photo

Sogdiana - the oldest region of Central Asia, in the center of which BC grew capital of Marakand and which later became known as Samarkand. Timur in the XIV made him his capital, but he wanted him to become the capital of the whole world.

What was Samarkand

This city was surrounded by a fortress wall with towers and a moat. Monumental buildings were built there. These buildings glorified the country and its ruler. Therefore, the buildings were gigantic and richly decorated with tiles, openwork bars. Poets, musicians, doctors, astronomers, historians also served as decorations of the court of Timur. This flattered his vanity. He did not hesitate either to invite them to himself, or to forcibly resettled from conquered countries to his capital. Timur closely monitored how the crafts develop. He ordered all masters to be freely admitted to the territory of the state, but there was no way out for them back. Architects, artists, ceramists, stoneesses, calligraphers were invited for construction, but more often they were taken prisoner in foreign countries. The city was amazing with its beauty. Against the backdrop of a dazzling blue sky, shining bright blue with abundant gilding (the "kundahl" technique) stood huge, to the skies, buildings. In the same style the Gur-Emir mausoleum is built, in which is the grave of Timur (Tamerlane).

The person of Timur

Tamerlane (or Timur) was a brave and fearless person. He was able to control himself and not reveal his feelings. Timur soberly and judiciously judged everything and always made well-considered decisions. These qualities of character attracted people to him. He also had a great artistic taste, which is evident from the erections built in his time.

Appearance of the ruler

He was a tall man. Its height was 1.72 m. Hair, oddly enough, it would seem, had the color of chestnut brown with graying. The grave of Tamerlane showed such a look. He was chrome on his right foot. But in general, according to scientists, his biological age is about fifty years old, although at the time of his death he was 68. Tamerlane's tomb, more precisely his skeleton in it, tells the researchers that he was a physically very strong person who was not affected by decrepitude . He has many teeth, massive and healthy bones, broad shoulders, a large volume of lungs and chest - all show the athlete. Tamperlane's uncovered tomb (photo higher) Allowed MM Gerasimov to restore the face of Timur. His portrait is as accurate as possible. The beard and mustache of Timur had, like hair, thick and red.

Where did Tamerlane die

Born in the foothills of modern Shakhrisaba, Timur spent most of his life on campaigns. After occupying after the battles of Samarkand and becoming established in it, the commander made raids towards Tashkent and brought rich booty. Then he changed the direction of the campaigns and went to Persia and practically captured it. After that, there was a struggle with the Golden Horde and campaigns against Iran, India. From everywhere Tamerlane brought to Samarkand treasures, one of which was a huge jade plate. Below we will mention it. And only when he was sixty-eight years old, he fell ill and died during a campaign against China. It happened in the cold winter of 1405. His body was embalmed and laid in a coffin, which was covered with silver brocade and made of a rare ebony tree. In this form, Timur was taken to his capital, where the grave of Tamerlane is.

Gur Emir

The erection of the emir's tomb was begun during his lifetime in 1403, as his heir and grandson died. The construction of this monumental building will be completed much later by his grandson Ulugbek, a scientist and poet, and not a warrior, like his grandfather. In this unfinished Gur Emir, the grave of Tamerlane has taken its place. Later it was covered with a jade plate, on which an epitaph was applied. We hope that now we can answer the question: "Where is the tomb of Tamerlane?" In Samarkand, in the tomb of Timurids.

Who first decided to desecrate the grave

His grave was inviolable for centuries. Only in the middle of the XVIII century the Persian khan not only intended, but also took away a precious plate of jade. She, by all assumptions, was taken out of Mongolia, where she got from China. And on the same day in Iran there was an earthquake, and the shah fell ill. This was the first violation of the integrity of the tomb of Tamerlane. According to legend, the spirit of Tamerlane's mentor appeared in the dream to the khan and said that the slab should be returned. Khan was scared, and he sent her back, but on the way the stove split into 2 parts. In Samarkand, the masters carefully combined them, but so far the crack is noticeable. Thus, the tomb of Tamerlane, where the jade plate is still to this day, remained untouched until the 20th century.

Work in the Soviet era

No one knew exactly where Tamerlane was buried. Maybe at home in Shahrisabe. There was a tomb there. And maybe, in Samarkand. It was decided to explore the huge mausoleum of Gur-Emir and excavate the grave of Tamerlane, if it is there. The commission was headed by archaeologist Kary-Niyazov. It also included such cultural figures as M. M. Gerasimov, who had already created a portrait of Ivan IV, a formidable Russian tsar, as well as writer Aini and cameraman Kayumov. All works began on June 16, 1941. There were many tombs, and it was decided to open them consistently. At first the burials of Timur's sons were met. Two days later, his grandchildren, including Ulugbek, who was recognized by the fact that his head was cut off from the body (and it was known that he was killed by violent death), and by the fact that he was buried in clothes, and not In the shroud. On June 20, Tamerlane's grave was finally opened. He was recognized immediately, since this skeleton had a knee cap damaged, that is, he limped. This grave was special. It was not just a three-tonne jade plate, which was raised by jacks, but also several more marble ones. They had to be hoisted by a winch, which suddenly broke down. While it was being restored, a break was announced.

In the teahouse

Operator Kayumov went to drink tea. There were three old men sitting behind the dastarkhan - this is an ordinary Samarkand picture. But suddenly one of the elders turned to the operator and said it was dangerous to release the spirit of war from the grave. And the legend that if you disturb Timur's ashes, then a terrible bloody war will begin, always go through Central Asia. The old man opened an ancient book with an Arabic text and began to read this gloomy legend. But, interestingly, Kayumov for some reason did not take a book, or three elders on film. And he has no other evidence besides his words. Returning to the expedition, Kayumov spoke of his conversation to all its members. However, the work was continued.

Work on the autopsy of the sarcophagus

When Tamerlane's grave was opened, raising three plates, they saw a massive sarcophagus under them. From the burial proceeded the intoxicating aromas of incense. Suddenly, for some unknown reason, electricity went out. It spontaneously recovered in three hours. Work continued: from the black coffin Tamerlane's bones were taken out and folded into boxes. And the next morning, scientists on the radio learned that the war had begun. Coincidence or not, no one knows. But only after the Tamerlan's skeleton was returned to the tomb and buried with honors, and this was in March (19-20), 1942, there was a turning point in the war. From 19 March an offensive began near Stalingrad, and our troops resolutely began to liberate the territory of the Motherland.

Here is such a mystical story with surprising coincidences by dates occurred after the opening of the tomb of Tamerlane. How to treat this, just do not know. But the facts say that we still have much to learn.