Tomb of the Brutal King, a photo from Samarkand, East

Photographer's Note

The Gur-e Amir (also Gur Emir) is the mausoleum of the Asian conqueror Tamerlane (also known as Timur) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It occupies an important place in the history of Islamic Architecture as the precursor and model for the great tombs of Humayun in Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra, built by Timur's descendants in India – the Moghuls.

Gur-e Amir (Gur Emir) is Tajik for "Tomb of the King". This architectural complex with its azure dome contains the tombs of Tamerlane, his sons and grandson Ulugh Beg and Muhammad Sultan. The construction of mausoleum began in 1403 …Ulugh Beg, grandson of Tamerlane, completed the work. During his reign the mausoleum became the family crypt of the Timurid Dynasty.

Outwardly the Gur-e Amir (Gur Emir) Mausoleum is a one-cupola building. It is famous for its simplicity of construction and for its solemn monumentality of the appearance. It is an octahedral building crowned by an azure fluted dome. The exterior decoration of the walls consists of the blue, light-blue and white tiles organized into geometrical and epigraphic ornaments against a background of terracotta bricks. The dome (diameter - 15 m (49.21 ft), height - 12.5 m (41.01 ft)) is of a bright blue color with deep rosettes and white spots. Heavy ribbed fluting gives an amazing expressiveness to the cupola.

Ironically this is poetic structure is a mausoleum of one of history's most "brutal butchers" that history remembers Tamelane as...and even more ironic is the inscription on the tomstone inside the mausoleum ‘This is the resting place of the illustrious and merciful monarch, the most great Sultan, the most mighty warrior, Lord Timur, Conqueror of the World.’ Historical texts indicate that Timur was anything but "merciful"!

papagolf21, mayjayne, pierrefonds, federico, abmdsudi, bona, PaulVDV, holmertz, nikkitta, jjcordier, mkamionka, omid266, adores, John_F_Kennedy, ChrisJ, ourania, cornejo, Graal, delpeoples heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

daddo (28748) 2015-04-27 1:35

Namaste Angshuman. You are enticing me to visit Uzbekistan with this jewel of a photo. The tiles remind me so much of Iranian mosques, but then the Uzbeks did invade parts of Iran, although i don't know who influenced whom but I would guess that the Persians had a great cultural influence in the larger region of Central Asia, even influencing the Mughal art of India. Anyway, top shot. Regards. Klaudio.

shreya2000 (2815) 2015-04-27 1:58

Dear Dada,

Very colourfule image especially the blue colour is used very nicely.

I like your composition and the way you are showing the sky between the minars.

Regards,
joginder

cargus (14004) 2015-04-27 1:58

Light ,color and contrast are excellent, very good clarity, beautiful picture.
Regards
Adrian

papagolf21 (152607) 2015-04-27 2:42

Bonjour, cher Angshu,
C'est toujours avec un réel plaisir que de contempler vos réalisations.
Ici, encore, le sujet présenté est d'une grande beauté.
Un grand merci pour la photo et la note d'accompagnement.
Très bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

mayjayne (7204) 2015-04-27 3:59

Dear Angshuman,

Lovely composition with good light management so that the intricate ornamental decor are well presented as well as the exterior sunny side. Splendid shot !

TFS,
May

pierrefonds (115645) 2015-04-27 4:41

Hi Angshuman,

You had a good idea to use the arch to frame the subject. The point of view is showing with precision the details of the mausoleum. The good luminosity is enhancing the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Sergiom (117241) 2015-04-27 6:02

Bonjour Angshuman,

J'aime beaucoup cette composition. La construction de l'image est impeccable. Le point de vue et la symétrie sont parfaits et la contre plongée donne une belle ampleur au dôme.

Amicalement

Serge

abmdsudi (95869) 2015-04-27 6:16

Namaste Angshu
Superb shot of a magnificent piece of Islamic architecture enhanced by rich colours tones, brill clarity and terrific symmetry with great feel of depth allowing us to absorb both sides of the grand edifices. Lovely how the fg really pulls the eye into the whole catpure. You did a fine work here and your shot indeed does justice to its grandeur and majesty. A winner for me, Congrats.
Best regards

federico (6109) 2015-04-27 6:18

hello Angshuman, wonderfull composition, incredible management of light, the interior looks as well exposed as the cupola, the colours are very well saturated, very good use of flash indeed, with an 18 focal the interior wll is not overexposed
best regards
Fred

Nicou (193814) 2015-04-27 6:27

Hello

quelle mosqueé sueprb eocmpo au travers de l'arche quelle vue et ocmpo avec ces tons ces décoration dorées sur le bleu un rayon et un éclairage au sommet sueprbe.
Bravo et amitié
Nciou

bona (15057) 2015-04-27 7:15

Hello Angshuman,

this kind of architecture style is one of I most like. However is not common see it in my country. Hope someday i could visit countries where this kind of architeture is common.

Lovely capture, color and sharpness. The note is great too.

Regards
Andre

Praetzer (209) 2015-04-27 7:53

Good POV.
Nice, all the blues.
Alfred

PaulVDV (63546) 2015-04-27 8:00

Hello Anghu,
Don't speak ill of the death must have have been the idea when building that mausoleum.
The blue tiles look wonderful and those on the dome even more.
Very good choice of POV to let the curving lines of the gate and the dome run parallel with each other.
Excellent clarity and sharpness.
Best regards, Paul

holmertz (103710) 2015-04-27 9:04

Hello Angshuman,
Maybe the present butcher leader of Uzbekistan will receive a similar mausoleum when he eventually dies. Probably it will not be as beautiful as this one, and probably it will not last for hundreds of years. Today we can admire the marvellous architecture and craftsmanship of that era long ago, and I also admire your nice and very symmetrical composition, as well as your fine light management.
Kind regards,
Gert

npecanhuk (79329) 2015-04-27 12:38

Hello Angshuman!
Wonderful picture of very interesting, attractive and beautiful details!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, contrasts, horizontal format and symmetric composition are all excellent!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

nikkitta (17070) 2015-04-27 14:32

Namaste Angus
Mi dream of place to visit, more after watching this super capture of Islamic art, preceded by a very informative ironical note

Frame of frame colors and contrasts taken in a symmetrical way
Well done, enjoy watching
Maria

lousat (140058) 2015-04-27 14:40

Hi Angshu,a perfect symmetry,a great perspective...another fantastic pic in your gallery of wonders,sharpness and colors absolutely perfect,the best way to show us this corner of this majestic mausoleum.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

jjcordier (79299) 2015-04-27 23:11

Angshuman
Un mausolée remarquable dont tu as fait une superbe photo. Très bon cadrage et très bonne gestion de l'exposition.
Amicalement
JJ

jhm (211738) 2015-04-28 3:04

Hello Angshu,

You choose a wonderful angle and nice arch above the dome as frame.
Colours and decoration of the walls, also the presentation make you picture attractive.
Composition and depth are wonderful.
Very well done, TFS,

Best regards,
John

williewhistler (16606) 2015-04-29 2:37

Hello Angshuman,
with so many beautifully intricate patterns and details to peruse and enjoy it is almost a relief to see the area of clear blue sky that separates the buildings so nicely.
The overall composition and symmetry is simply outstanding and the exposure settings perfectly set for this remarkable photograph.
My best regards Les.

mkamionka (75217) 2015-04-29 3:03

Hi Angshu,
wow this is so beautiful. Uzbekistan is definitely on my list of places to visit! By the way I think you have a spelling mistake in the name of the country in the actual photo -which is impossible to repair unless you re-post it I guess.
Never mind it though.
I love the central symmetry here, great idea! You have thought it through very well with the dome behind being so close to the arch.
Very impressive both architecture and your presentation,
M

pajaran (117171) 2015-04-29 5:06

Dobar dan, popodne.
Interesantan i lep pogled, dobar tekst ...
Dobar snimak, kontrast i ostrina, lepo pokazana arhitektura i detalji na fasadi.
Lepa arhitektura.
Lepo popodne i sve najbolje, srecno.
Paja.

Good afternoon, this afternoon.
Interesting and nice view, good text ...
Good picture, contrast and sharpness, beautiful architecture and the details shown on the facade.
Beautiful architecture.
A nice afternoon and all the best, good luck.
Paja.

Fis2 (172049) 2015-04-29 11:38

Witaj Angshu!
Very interesting tomb, beautiful building.
Excellent composition and colors.
Very well done.
Good night
Krzysztof

adores (46979) 2015-04-29 17:19

Hi Angshuman!
Another great shot to your series of this country. I really like the composition and the way you framed the blue dome. You also got perfect details on the walls, in foreground. Well managed light and beautiful colours!

kordinator (8738) 2015-04-29 22:59

Dear Angshuman
A beautiful presentation of this part of Uzbegistan.
Really interesting and original look of this symmetric architecture of Tomb of the Brutal King.
Impressive composition with wonderful colors and perfect lighting.
Nice texture and perfect natural framing by fence.
Great photo job.
Kind regards
Saša

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2015-04-30 1:54

Hello Angshuman,
This is really very nice, you use perfect the gate as decoration. Well seen
best wishes,
Achim

ChrisJ (172440) 2015-04-30 3:34

Hi Angshuman,

Nice use of the fg arch as a framing device for the bg mosque, with good sharpness and excellent color and saturation. Superb shadow detail in the arch too. Amazing repetition of the intricate Islamic patterns and designs. Tfs.

omid266 (6816) 2015-04-30 6:10

Salam dear friend Angshu,

Excuse me, now i edited my previous comment in yesterday,

This is a unique shot from Samarkand,

that in last year i saw in a touristic magazine too :)

wonderful natural frame with the arch,

Very very nice photo job and Thanks!

Best Greetings,***

ourania (51103) 2015-04-30 10:30

Hello Angshu,
I think I have a biography of Tamerlane somewhere, which I've never read, but have come to know well the efforts historians and politicians make to restore the fame of certain historic figures and interpret their acts in a convenient way. The Mausoleum is absolutely magnificent and I really appreciate the architecture, details and colours you are offering us in this splendid picture. Your light and contrast management are admirable. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely day,
Ourania

danos (110407) 2015-05-04 12:10

Hello Angshu,
nice the view of the tomb of the brutal King that is framed from the foreground arch.I like the elaborate decoration from the interior of the foreground construction as the dome on the backdrop of the scene.

Regards,Danos

cornejo (61504) 2015-05-05 11:20

Hello Angshu, very good picture of this beautiful and interesting composition in the beautiful mausoleum, very well captured in this beautiful image with good sharpness, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting work well done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

Good night and good Sunday.
Best wishes from the south of Spain.
Angel.

Graal (103040) 2015-05-07 3:58

Hello Angshuman,
very nice composition and presentation. Beautiful place. Friends all toldd you. I like this photo a lot. Good note also.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

berek (50518) 2015-05-09 22:16

Dear Angshuman
It is always a pleasure to contemplate your accomplishments.
Here again, the subject presented is of great beauty.A big thank you for notes.
Have a nice Sunday.
Burak

delpeoples (60342) 2015-05-21 5:10

Ciao Angshu

This is such a beautiful and intriguing subject. Your photo does it great justice with its superb colours, sharpness and superior light management. I like the tight framing a lot. You really have created a remarkable photo, congratulations.

Warmest wishes
Lisa