The nephrite gravestone of Tamerlane, enshrined within the hallowed walls of the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum in Samarkand, is shrouded in a tapestry of myths and legends as rich and complex as the history it stands upon. The origins of this remarkable stone are steeped in mystery and intrigue, with tales that intertwine the fates of empires and the beliefs of conquerors.
Nephrite, a variety of jade, is a stone revered across cultures for its beauty and toughness. It is a material that has been associated with royalty and the divine, symbolizing immortality and power. The choice of nephrite for Tamerlane’s gravestone was a deliberate one, meant to reflect his unparalleled status and the enduring nature of his empire.
Legend has it that this nephrite slab was once a prized possession within the Chinese emperor’s palace, a symbol of celestial authority and divine right. It was said to be imbued with heavenly power, a belief that the Mongols adopted when they claimed the plate for themselves. The exact circumstances of its capture remain lost to history, yet it is widely accepted that in the year 1425, the stone found its way into the hands of Ulugbek amidst the tumult of battle at Ketmen-tepe.
The sheer size and weight of the nephrite pieces necessitated the construction of a specialized vehicle to transport them to their destined home in Samarkand. There, skilled artisans undertook the delicate task of joining the two massive fragments, fashioning a gravestone worthy of the great Amir Timur himself.
The gravestone is adorned with inscriptions in Arabic script, extolling Timur’s virtues and victories. These inscriptions serve not only as a eulogy to the great ruler but also as a chronicle of his achievements. The calligraphy is an art form in itself, with each line and curve meticulously crafted to honor the emperor’s memory.
The gravestone’s journey did not end there. In 1740, when the Iranian Shah Nodir seized control of the Bukhara Khanate, he commanded that the nephrite be relocated to Meshkhed to adorn a sacred edifice in Iran. However, legend recounts that Mir Sayid Bereke, Tamerlane’s spiritual mentor, visited Nodir Shah in a dream, warning of dire consequences should the stone not be returned. Heeding this ominous portent, Nodir Shah ordered the stone’s return to Samarkand.
Tragedy struck during the stone’s homeward voyage. As it was ferried across a river, the stone tumbled and fractured into two unequal parts. Despite this mishap, the pieces were salvaged and once again fused by the hands of master craftsmen, restored to their rightful place atop Tamerlane’s tomb.
Today, the nephrite gravestone of Tamerlane stands as a poignant reminder of the past glories of Samarkand. It draws visitors from around the world, who come to pay their respects and marvel at the legacy of one of history’s most enigmatic figures.
The surface of nephrite gravestone is marked by the fissures of its storied past. These cracks are not merely flaws; they are the silent witnesses to the gravestone’s odyssey, a physical testament to the enduring legacy of Amir Timur and the city of Samarkand—a legacy carved in stone and shrouded in the mists of time.
Enclosed by a marble rail, seven marble tombstones encircle a dark green 6-foot-long slab of jade which covers Timur’s grave. As with other Muslim mausoleums, the stones are just markers; the actual crypts are in a chamber beneath. The plain marble marker to the left of Timur’s is that of Ulugbek; to the right is that of Mir Said Baraka, one of Timur’s spiritual advisors. In front lies Mohammed Sultan. The stones behind Timur’s mark the graves of his sons Shah Rukh (the father of Ulugbek) and Miran Shah. Behind these, in a separate niche, lies Sheikh Seyid Umar, the most revered of Timur’s teachers, said to be a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. Timur ordered Gur-e-Amir built around Umar’s tomb.
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