Amir timur museum

AMIR TIMUR MUSEUM

Tashkent's Amir Timur Museum

The Amir Timur Museum is located in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. It opened in 1996, and is dedicated to the Mongol warlord Amir Timur (Tamerlane).^[1][2]

Origin

After Uzbekistan became independent in 1991, much attention was paid to revive the nation's spiritual and cultural heritage, including recognition of historical persons who had an important role in world civilization. Among those was Amir Temur, the warlord, politician and reformer, patron of science, education, trade, culture and craft. Having established a great centralized state, he strengthened its power and greatness and also united many nations and people. Amir Temur's rule promoted science, education, culture, architecture, the fine arts, music and poetry, laying the foundations of the Temurid Renaissance.

President Islam Karimov has encouraged celebration of Timur, linking the Mongol ruler's achievements with the President's own style of governnace.^[2][3] Karimov declared 1996 to be the “Year of Amir Temur”, and the 660th anniversary was widely celebrated in Uzbekistan, and the Republic subsequently resolved to build a State Museum in central Tashkent, featuring the Temurids' history.

Opening

The ceremonial opening of the round museum tructure was held on October 18, 1996 in the presence of Uzbek people and foreign guests. President Karimov stated that, 'The State Museum of the History of the Temurids which is opening in such a holiday conditions is the real result of the fact that in our country the historical justice towards the personality of Sahibkiran has triumphed'. He compared Amir Temur Square with a ring, saying "the Museum is a precious stone decorating it”.

President Islam Karimov said, "Every man visiting this museum can make sure to my words, that this museum like a great mirror, reflects both our past and present and our great future".

Design

The museum's blue cupola resembles that of the Gur-i Amir mausoleum in Samarkand. Though the museum was built according to the traditions of medieval architecture, it satisfies modern requirements.

Exhibits

There are more than 5000 artifacts in the museum collection, with more than 2,000 displayed in museum exhibition halls. In particular, the museum displays focus on the genealogy of Amir Temur, his coming to power, military campaigns of Sahibkiran, diplomatic and trade relations, workmanship, city improvement and landscaping, science and education development. There are also exhibits related to representatives of Temurids' dynasty (including maps, weaponries, copper and silver coins, miniatures, rare manuscripts, potteries, and jewelry). Models of architectural works from the Amir Temur and Temurids' era include Ak - Saray, Ahmad Yassavi`s mausoleum, Bibi - Khanum mosque, Ulughbek’s madrasah and observatory, Gur-i Amir and Taj Mahal mausoleums.

An exhibition called «Gifts» shows images of Amir Temur's, a gift of the Louvre Museum of France, and examples of correspondence between the Amir Temur and Temurids dynasty with neighboring countries, including the embassy of Iran, Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, Turkey and others.

Visitors

The museum attracts more than 2 million visitors annually. It is visited by foreign statesmen and official delegations, and more than 800 such delegations have been recorded in the Museum "Guest Book".

Besids the main exhibition area, other exhibits include "Autograph notes", "Pages of Amir Temur`s life", "Citadel Shohrukhiya - the rarest monument of Temurids epoch", and "Samarkand is aged 2750".

International links

Through participation in international exhibitions the museum has promoted its material and spiritual heritage around the world. In particular, unique exhibits were displayed at the international exhibitions as "Temurids' Renaissance" in France; at Expo 2000 in Hannover, Germany; "Bright colors: fabrics and ceramics from Central Asia" at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia. The museum has also implemented such collaborative exhibitions as "Rare manuscripts" with the Embassy of India in Uzbekistan, "Miniature painting of the Amir Temur and Temurids' era" with the Embassy of Iran, and "Distant and near Oman" with the National Department of Documents and Archive of Oman Sultanate.

Education and research

The museum carries out educational work with the young people, encouraging respect and love towards heritage, history, and historical figures. To this end the museum holds spiritual-enlightenment activities in collaboration with schools, colleges and lyceums.

The museum is also a scientific centre for the study of the history of the Amir Temur and Temurids` era, history of Uzbek state, and the Uzbek national heritage.

A further goal of the museum is to foster a deeper knowledge of native history, educating young people in the spirit of patriotism and national pride. The state encourages comprehensive study of the history of the Amir Temur and Temurids` era, and also to its propaganda. Proceeding from this intent, two fundamental lines of research were undertaken: "Renaissance of the Temurid's era" (2002-2006); and "Studying of written monuments of Temurids' era in Uzbekistan and abroad". In addition, young scientists successfully finished fundamental research project on the theme: "Spreading of cultural and spiritual heritage abroad, connected with the history of Uzbekistan and its role in our history»; scientific applied research on theme : «Citadel Shohrukhiya - the rarest monument of the Amir Temur and Temurids' era»; "Tashkent is the capital of Islamic culture"; an innovative project "History of Uzbekistan" (reader) 3rd vol.; "From the history of book art in Uzbekistan" (based on handwritten and lithographed copies of works created in the era of the Temurids); "Textbooks published by lithographic method at the late of nineteenth - early twentieth centuries"; "Virtual exhibitions and their scientific and practical grounds" (based on exhibitions of the State Museum of the Temurids’ History); "Military art of the Amir Temur and Temurids era". All these researches were implemented under support of an innovative research fund.

A 1,000 Sum bank note showing the museum

Today the museum carries out fundamental research on the theme of "Human significance of studying and propaganda of development science, education and culture of Temurids' epoch". The research is closely linked to scientific projects demonstrated on the walls of the museum. The major purpose is to display completed research, and also to promote scientific and educational study in Uzbekistan and around the world. In this research work is planned to study the given theme in republic and abroad, under corresponded publications, and also in instance of historical monuments. Among recent major and topical directions are the study of propaganda during the independence years in Uzbekistan and the influence of science, culture and education of the Temurids era abroad. Proceeding from the project is the study and analysis of foreign publications, the spread of cultural relics of the Temurids epoch worldwide, and also their impact on worldwide culture, including science, culture and education, and the Internet.

The museum is expected to develop into one of the main spiritual-enlightenment and scientific centres in Uzbekistan, fostering the study and dissemination of the history of the Amir Temur and Temurids' epoch; exhibiting cultural relics of the Temurids' era; and closely collaborating with foreign museums to create bilateral exhibitions.

The figure that emerged out of this search through Central Asian history was the highly controversial figure of Amir Temur (Tamerlane).

A fourteenth-century conqueror of Western, South and Central Asia, Amir Temur’s main qualifications was that his huge empire was located in the modern Uzbek state. He founded the Timurid Empire and Timurid dynasty (1370–1405) in Central Asia. Central Asia blossomed economically and culturally under his reign. At the same time, Baghdad, Damascus, Delhi and other Arab, Persian, Indian and Turkic cities were sacked and destroyed.

Ironically, the unifying figure of Uzbekistan wasn’t Uzbek at all and instead belonged to the Barlas, a Turko-Mongolian tribe. In fact, it was the fall of the Timurids that allowed the Uzbek Khaqanate to gain power and form the basis of modern Uzbeks.

Nonetheless, Timur has been officially recognized as a national hero of Uzbekistan, because his imperial capital was located in Samarkand. His name has replaced Marx’s and Lenin’s on street signs and government buildings all over Uzbekistan.

Opened in 2006, the Amir Timur Museum is one of the newest museums in Tashkent. It was established to commemorate the 660th birthday of Amir Timur. The museum’s blue dome and ornate interior reference Central Asian Islamic architecture. The museum collection consists of ancient manuscripts, paintings, and engravings of Timurid’s age. The collection also includes a 14th century Quran from Syria. Amir Timur’s military career is reconstructed in a celebratory manner. The gardens surrounding the museum contain a statue of Timur on horseback and some prominent fountains.

Lingering Soviet influence is acutely felt in the Amir Temur museum. Murals reminiscent of social realism decorate the lobby of the museum. The museum also features an exhibit on president Islam Karimov. Karimov came to power under the Soviet regime and has had a firm grip on the presidency since 1990.