Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ULUGH BEG OBSERVATORY (1421)
Ulugh Beg Observatory was built in 1421 at the top of the Afrasiab Hill by
Ulugh Beg who was an astrologer himself. Being the most advanced astro-
nomical observatory of the era, its' protractor and other instruments were
built into a massive rock. Considering the astrological calculations were
made without using any telescopes or binoculars, one should appreciate
how sophisticated Ulugh Beg observatory was even by today's standards
(Pander, 2001). Renowned scientists of the period such as Kadızade Rumi
from Bursa, Ali Kuscu, and Cemsid gathered all the research and work
done in two topics called “Zeych Kurkani” and “Zeych Cedit Sultani”
which were used as source topics both in the west and east. Grandson of
Timur, Ulugh Beg's gift to queen Samarkand cannot be portrayed as jew-
elry to be worn, just as in Timur's tomb. But it would be rather more cor-
rect to imagine this observatory to be the light of inelegance in the mind
of the city. In order to measure the true value of this center of science one
must comprehend how ahead of its time it was. As Timur's tomb is buried
in the heart of city, the observatory of Ulugh Beg finds its place in the
superior mind of it.
In the 15th century the Uzbek Khan Shayabak (1500-1597) ended
the dominance of the Timur's and moved the capital out of Samarkand to
Bukhara. Later in 1868 Samarkand is tied to the general center for Turkes-
tan when the Uzbeks are defeated by the Czar of Russia. She becomes the
capital of Soviet Uzbekistan again between the years of 1924 and 1930.
CONCLUSION
If one day ever your road leads you to Samarkand the beautiful city of
Uzbekistan, think of her as a summary of the human history. All along
her adventures she had seen some good days and some dark times, never
the less she still stands and will embrace all her visitors with her everlast-
ing grace. Queen Samarkand might open up her secrets to you if you are
able to find her spirit hidden in the works of art that she wears and bears
on herself and if you are able to feel her spirit, you might also fall in love
with her. But know that you won't be the first, for Queen Samarkand had
many lovers throughout history. “Love” is in truth the story of Samarkand
in a single word.
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