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However, probably the most impressive architecture that remains from this period can be found in Samarkand. Timur filled his capital with both
secular and religious monuments, as well as a plethora of gardens, which featured stone walls and floors with elaborate patterns and palaces outfitted with gold, silk and carpets. Most of
these structures have not survived to the present. Such is the case with his magnificent four-story palace, which Babur describes in his memoirs. However, a number of significant buildings
have survived and can still be seen today.
There are also still extant examples of buildings erected by subsequent Timurid rulers. As noted above, although they did not share his
passion for territorial expansion, they did inherit his love of fine architecture. Interestingly enough, one of the principle Timurid builders was Gawhar Shad, Shah Rukh's wife, who was
responsible for a magnificent mosque at Meshed (built between 1405 and 1418) and a mosque-madrasah-mausoleum complex in Herat (1417-1437). Unfortunately, these structures are mostly in
ruins today, largely as a result of war and earthquakes over the last two centuries. As can be imagined, the transition of the Timurid capital to Herat also moved the architectural focus
from Samarkand to that city. However, the Timurids still continued to build in their founder's capital, especially Ulugh Beg, who was governor of the city under his father, Shah Rukh.
The preponderance of elaborate decoration on Timurid monuments, much of it involving various pottery techniques, especially glazed tile work, reflects the advances made in this art form
during this period. There are three major structures still standing in Samarkand which Timur himself was responsible for building: the Gur-i Amir, the Bibi Khanum mosque, and the Shah-i
Zindeh mausoleum complex (although this had been originally begun in pre-Timurid times, Timur was responsible for most of its present form). In addition, there are two important examples of
Timurid architecture from the period after Timur: the madrasah and observatory of Ulugh Beg. Also, Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahon, who was Timurid.
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