The [url=https://orientalarchitecture.com/sid/1452/uzbekistan/samarkand/amir-hoseyn-tomb-shah-i-zinda]Amir Hussein mausoleum[/url] is located on the right-hand side of the alley of tombs, immediately inside the [i]chahar-taq[/i] gate.[br]It was built for Amir Hoseyn ibn Qara Qutlugh, probably a high-ranking official in Timur's armies, who died in AH 777 (March or April 1376). A band of calligraphy framing the [i]pishtaq [/i]confirms that it was constructed by Tughlu Tekin, the mother of the deceased, underscoring the extravagant wealth that Timur's high-ranking emirs amassed in their years-long military campaigns under Timur's banner.

The main west-facing facade suffered the loss of some 50% of its glazed tiles and precious epigraphic bands prior to restoration. Fortunately, the surviving epigraphy enabled archaeologists to confirm the tomb's patron and occupant. Other epigraphic bands in Persian script frame the door on three sides and form the following verses (the middle portion is missing as several tiles did not survive).[br][i]If my iwan [the tomb's portal] turned its head to Saturn,[/i][br][i]The poison of this world would still remain.[/i][br][i]If the years pass...[/i][br][i]...there is not room for me.[/i][br][i]In this dark tomb, without friends or anyone[/i][br][i]My hope is in Your compassion, that is enough.[/i][br]On the pictures below you can see how the text is carved deeply in the tiles.

On a tile a hadith reads: "The world shall become naught at the end of time."

On the capital one can read: "God owns everything."