The mosque was erected in 1398 by Amir Timour when he returned from his Indian campaign. In India he was inspired by the 12th century Tughluq Mosque and he decided to erect his great Mosque of Samarkand. The best architects and craftsmen from Khourassan, Azerbaijan participated in the construction of this largest mosque in Central Asia.
The best location in the capital was chosen and Timur laid the first stone on the most auspicious day, the fourth day of Ramadan (10 May 1399). 95 elephants, brought back by Amir Tmour from his conquests of India, maneuvered 480 huge blocks of stone from a height of five meters necessary for the construction.
Near mosque you can see a market
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