Assalamu aleikum brothers and sisters.

I am always intrigued with the history, discoveries and achievements by the fantastic Timurid dynasty that spanned from central Asia to the Indians. In all regions it ruled it flourished for example present day Uzbekistan was the center of Islamic discoveries under its 14th century ruler Amir Timur.

He built this amazing mosque named after his wife, Bibi Khanum, during his reign. He used as many as 90 elephants to carry precious stones from India.





His descendants include his grandson, Ulugh Beg, an astronomer, mathematician and a sultan. He gained fame for his work in trigonometry and spherical geometry. He built the great Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand between 1424 and 1429. It was considered by scholars to have been one of the finest observatories in the Islamic world at the time and the largest in Central Asia.

Another great descendant of Timur was of course India's most celebrated Emperor, Abdull-Fath Jalalud-din Muhammad Akbar (also known as Akbar the Great).

Akbar is known for his reforms, architecture like his forefathers and his tolerance towards the other religions including the Hindus. He abolished taxation on Hindu pilgrims and encouraged Muslims to eat less beef in respect to Hindu faith.

The Mughal dynasty of India was founded by Emperor Babur (1526-1531), who was a descendant of Timur and Chingiz Khan. The Mughal emperors moved between their imperial capitals of Delhi, Lahore, and Agra, where they constructed a variety of building types including palaces, gardens, mosques, forts and whole urban schemes in addition to celebrated mausoleums. In fact, the remarkable flowering of art and architecture under the Mughals is due to several factors including:

1. The Mughal Emperors were unusual and strong patrons of art and architecture.

2. All Mughal dynasties generally enjoyed a prosperous periods and enjoyed unparalleled wealth in the history of Indian.

3. Consequently, artists and architects enjoyed a secured and comfortable environment within which they generated their artistic ideas and creativity.

The Mughal/Timurid architecture that flourished in the Indian sub-continent including Emperor Shah Jahan's Taj Mahal.


The 14th century Badshahi Mosque by the Mughals in Lahore, Pakistan


Badshahi Mosque was built under the 16th century Emperor Aurangzeb (son of Emperor Shah Jahan) and it took only two years even though its the 5th largest Mosque in the world today.




Agra Fort by the Islamic Mughals, India

The 16th century Taj Mahal is one of the most iconic buildings in the modern world but do you know when the architect drew the design and layout for the Emperor in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the emperor chopped the hands of the architect? He said he did it so he may never draw again and there is to be only one such fine building by fine architect.


Taj Mahal, Agra, India

Finally the tomb of Akbar, the third and most powerful Mughal Emperor. It sits in Agra, India, like many other amazing Mughal buildings.



May Allah bless them.

I hope you enjoyed it.