Construction in Samarkand During the Ashtarkhanid Dynasty

Abstract

This article highlights the representative of the dynasty, Imam Qulikhan, who formed the Registan square, which is considered the heart of the city of Samarkand, and the sheikhs and emirs of Samarkand who played an important role in his accession to the throne. In addition, information is provided about the weapons used during the dynasty.

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Rakhmonova Parvina. (2025). Construction in Samarkand During the Ashtarkhanid Dynasty. CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HISTORY, 6(01), 8–11. https://doi.org/10.37547/history-crjh-06-01-03
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Abstract

This article highlights the representative of the dynasty, Imam Qulikhan, who formed the Registan square, which is considered the heart of the city of Samarkand, and the sheikhs and emirs of Samarkand who played an important role in his accession to the throne. In addition, information is provided about the weapons used during the dynasty.


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CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HISTORY (ISSN: 2767-472X)

https://masterjournals.com/index.php/crjh

8

VOLUME:

Vol.06 Issue01 2025

DOI: -

10.37547/history-crjh-06-01-03

Page: - 08-11

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Construction in Samarkand During the Ashtarkhanid
Dynasty

Rakhmonova Parvina

PhD student of Samarkand State University, Uzbekistan

Received:

26 November 2024

Accepted:

28 December 2024

Published:

23 January 2025

INTRODUCTION

Registan Square, which is considered the heart of
Samarkand city, located at the intersection of the Great Silk
Road, has been adding beauty to the city's beauty since its
creation. Also, this complex has attracted the attention of
not only beachgoers, but also foreign researchers with its
bright colors and magnificence.

The use of IT technologies in the preservation and study of
historical monuments in the complex is carried out in
cooperation with Polish scientists [1,2,3,4]. It was
mentioned in the previous article [5]. Below, we will talk
about the activities of the representatives of the
Ashtarkhanid dynasty, who ruled in Samarkand during the
period when this area was formed.

METHOD

The events of the period when Registan square was built,
the years of Ashtarkhani ruler Imamqulikhan's rule, are
covered in such manuscripts as "Bahr al-asrar fi manakib
al-akhbar", "Silsilat as salatin", "Tarihi Sayyid Raqim",
"Imamqulinoma". But these works have not been
translated into Uzbek. Copies of their manuscripts were
used to write the article. Also, in the analysis of these data,
the principles of historical comparison, chronological

consistency, cause, process and result dependence,
objectivity, historicity and systematicity of historical
knowledge are used.

The formation of the Registan complex corresponds to the
initial stage of the rule of the Ashtarkhanid dynasty. Well,
the following question naturally arises: how did the
Ashtarkhanids come to power? This question can be
answered as follows.

The origin of the Ashtarkhanid dynasty

. In the 13th-14th

centuries, the Tokai Timurids ( the Ashtarkhanids or
Janians) lived in the western part of their relative, the
Shaybanites. They rarely lived as nomads and lived on the
northeastern shores of the Caspian Sea. As the Altin Horde
(Zhoji ulus) weakens, it is divided into a number of small
governorates [6,7]. As a result of this division, Ashtarkhan
khanate was formed in Volgaboyi lands in the 30s of the
15th century. "Astrakhan" is the Russian form of
Ashtarkhan. "Ashtarkhan" is derived from the word "Haji
Tarkhan". Tarkhan is considered one of the privileged titles
in the life of Turkic-speaking peoples and existed since the
time of the famous Khazar Khaganate [8].

In the middle of the 15th century, Abai's brother Uz Temur
bin Tokai Temur, a descendant of Joji, established the

ABSTRACT

This article highlights the representative of the dynasty, Imam Qulikhan, who formed the Registan square, which is considered

the heart of the city of Samarkand, and the sheikhs and emirs of Samarkand who played an important role in his accession to t he

throne. In addition, information is provided about the weapons used during the dynasty.

Keywords:

Samarkand, Registan square, Imamqulikhan, Abulqasim Sheikh, Polish scientists.


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khanate power in Kazan and Crimea [9,10], while the
descendants of Abai's relative Muhammad established
their power in Astrakhan on the north-western coast of the
Kasbi Sea [11] . Yor Muhammad Khan's grandfather Javak
and father Mangishlag lived in Astrakhan, but they did not
become the khans of Astrakhan. Their relatives, two
brothers of Javak - Ahmed and Mahmud ruled Astrakhan
[12,13]. In the work "Bahr al-asror" Tokai are called
Timurites, in the work "Tarihi Muqimkhani" they are
called Ashtarkhanis, and in some works they are also called
Janis[14]. And we found it permissible to call them
Ashtarkhanis.

The exact time of the arrival of the Ashtarkhanids in
Movorounahr is still a matter of controversy. According to
the work "Bahrul Asrar", Yor Muhammad's father
Mangishloq, in "Imamkulinoma" Baghishlov [9] came to
Movorounahr with his family in 1528 [10]. However,
according to other sources, Yor Muhammad Khan and his
family visited Movorounahr in 1556 [13] because the
Russians conquered Astrakhan. Yor Muhammad Khan's
children - Joni Muhammad, Abbas Sultan, Tursun
Muhammad Sultan, Pir Muhammad Sultan and his wife
came to Movarounahr[14].

Management of the Samarkand region by the
Ashtarkhans

. Iskandar Sultan Yor Muhammad, the father

of Abdullah Khan II, the ruler of Bukhara at that time,
welcomed Yor Muhammad and his family members and
married his daughter Zuhrobegim to Johny Muhammad,
the son of Yor Muhammad. Jonibek and Zuhrobegim have
3 sons. They are Din Muhammad, Baqi Muhammad, Wali
Muhammad [14]. In turn, Abdulla Khan II entrusted Joni
Muhammad with the authority to manage the territory of
Samarkand. But after his death, his son Abdulmomin sent
Muhammad to Balkh region[16].

Description of research

Imamquli's struggle to occupy the throne of Bukhara

.

What factors caused the transfer of power from Wali
Muhammad Khan to Imam Quli Khan? It is mentioned in
"Imamqulinama" that the emirs and the population turned
away from him due to some bad actions of Wali
Muhammad. As a result, the emirs of Bukhara put the
governor of Samarkand, Imam Qulikhan, on the throne of
Bukhara in 1611. Enraged by this, Vali Muhammad
captured the fortress of Samarkand.

Vali Muhammad uses different tactics while capturing

Samarkand fortress. As in the Timurid dynasty, during the
Ashtarkhanid dynasty, tabl (drums) and flutes were played
and the flag was raised before the battle. It is said that
among the weapons of war there were manjaniq[18],
arroda [19] , dig [20], tavar [21], zamburak [22], ladder and
various weapons: tir, tofang [23] and 200 carts and they
were used in this war. The leader of the soldiers was called
a solor and had a helmet on their head. Vali Muhammad
Khan divided his soldiers into groups while occupying the
fort. One group strikes a gate with a hammer [24] , another
group fires bows, and another group of armored warriors
are shown fighting on horseback with their blades
unsheathed. But the occupation of the central part of the
main fort was carried out by Wali Muhammad himself, and
the city was occupied.

After Vali Muhammad occupied the fortress, Bukhara
emirs and army chiefs came to Imamquli and asked him to
become the king, and they consulted Vali Muhammad to
capture the Samarkand fortress. Among the commanders,
Nazarbi, Qulbondey, Shahmurad, Boyim Muhammad,
Khojamberdi from the Katagan tribe, and Tangriberdi from
the emirs came with 200 soldiers, supported him in the
fight against Vali Muhammad, and expressed their
obedience to Imam Qulikhan [24].

Moral support

. Baqi Muhammad and Wali Muhammad

cooperated with Abdurahim Khoja during their reign. In
the battles with his nephews, Vali Muhammad received
help from his Bukhara intercessors, while Imamquli relied
on a number of famous Samarkand sheikhs. The most
famous among them was Hashim Khoja Dahbidi [23].
Khoja Hashim Dahbidi, son of Muhammad Amin and
grandson of Ahmed Kosani, was from Samarkand. When
the relationship between Vali Muhammad and Imamquli
and Nadr Muhammad worsened, Hashim Khoja joined
Imamquli Khan[26,27]. In order to join forces with his
brother Nadr Muhammad, Imamquli flees to the south, i.e.
to Balkh. Hashim Khoja stayed in Samarkand. Here he
opposes Baqi Biy Kalmaq, who was appointed as the
governor of Samarkand, and does everything he can to help
Imam Qulikhan take power. Later, Baqi Bey Kalmaq
[28]faced so much resistance from the people of
Samarkand that he himself had to go to the side of Imam
Quli Khan [29]. In a situation where a fight is inevitable,
Imamquli says that he is worried about a fight. Khoja
Hashim tells him not to worry and inspires him to victory
[30]. So, in the battle between them, Imam Quli Khan got
the upper hand and was able to sit on the throne.


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Imam Quli Khan's consultation with government
officials

. When Imamkuli was the governor of Samarkand,

he reopened the entrance to Gori Amir, which increased the
loyalty of the population to him [30]. In addition, he was
supported by religious scholars in Samarkand. He
remembers all of his help during the 1611 coronation
ceremony. This is the work of Imamkulinama: ندومن تروشم

نا رهپس نامرهق

دنقرمس هعلق ختف باب رد ناگراب ملاغ نودرگ هاشنهش و ماقت

(content: detailed information is given in the chapter on the
consultation of the ruler (Imamquli) with the Ayans to
conquer the Samarkand fortress [29]. Among those who
participated in this ceremony were Khoja Hashim Dahbedi,
Hashim's brother Salih Khoja Dahbidi, Kubravi sheikh
Yusuf Karaboghii [32], and Olim sheikhs, a student of
Kasim sheikh from the Yasawiya sect. According to the
work, Abul Qasim from the Khojagan sect sat on the right
side of Imam Quli Khan, and the famous amir Hasan Khoja
took a place on the left side. In addition, it was mentioned
that the ruler appointed some persons for certain tasks in
this meeting. For example, Hasan Khoja is appointed to the
position of Naqib [31]. During the meeting, among the
dignitaries, Abul Qasim from the Khojagan sect spoke and
said that they recognize Imam Qulikhan as the ruler and are
ready to serve him. He suggested to the ruler that before
marching against Vali Muhammad, he should send three
men to settle this battle peacefully, and give him whatever
he wants to hand over the fortress of Samarkand to Vali
Muhammad Khan. Then Imamquli decides to send Sheikh
Abulqasim to make peace with Vali Muhammad Khan
[32]. So, as a result of the battle between the two, Vali
Muhammad Khan was defeated and Imam Quli Khan took
the throne. Bahadir Yalangtosh was the governor of
Samarkand at the time of his accession to the throne.

RESULTS

By researching the information about the studied period
presented in the primary sources, new information was
revealed about the origin of the Ashtarkhanid dynasty,
which ruled during the formation of the Registan complex,
the events of the accession to the throne of the
representative of this dynasty, Imam Qulikhan, and the
methods and weapons used by Vali Muhammad Khan in
his battle to capture the Samarkand fortress.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it can be said that the Registan Square,
located in the center of Samarkand city, was formed in the
first half of the 17th century, during the reign of Imam Quli

Khan, a representative of the Ashtarkhanid dynasty, and
got its present appearance.

Despite the fact that the events of Imamquli Khan's
accession to the throne have been studied by several
researchers, his detailed account has not yet been
adequately covered. An attempt was made to solve this
problem by researching the work of Imamqulinama, which
was considered the primary source of that time.

Based on the results achieved, the contribution of sheikhs
and a number of emirs from the Khojagon sect to the
conquest of the throne of Bukhara by Imam Qulikha was
incomparable. The work "Imamkulinoma" describes the
fighting methods and weapons used during this dynasty.
According to him, weapons such as rifles and cannons
were used during battles in the Bukhara Khanate even in
the 17th century. A comparison of these weapons with
those used in European countries, especially in Poland, at
the same time leads to interesting results.

REFERENCE

Milos Marek, Kayumov Rakhim, Samarov Khonkul.
Cooperation in the digiizaion of cultural heritage // Echo of
Hisory. 2021 № 1. – P. 24-25.

Miłosz M., Miłosz E., Montusiewicz J., Determination of
ceramic tile colour surface areas on the medieval Sher-Dor
Madrasah mosaic in Samarkand – Problems and solutions.
In: Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural
Heritage, 2020, vol. 16, p. 1-6.

Kęsik Jasek, Miłosz Marek, Montusiewicz Jerzy, Samarov
Khonkul. Documenting the geometry of large architectural
monuments using 3D scanning – the case of the dome of
the Golden Mosque of the Tillya-Kori Madrasah in
Samarkand. In: Digital Applications in Archaeology and
Cultural Heritage, 2021, vol. 22, p. 1-11.

Samarov Khonkul. The Registan Ensemble – an
Architectural Jewel of the Silk Road // Tangible Cultural
Heritage of the Silk Road from the Area of Modern
Uzbekistan, Lublin-2021, Page 15. (9-16)

Rahmonova Parvina. The use of IT technologies in the
study and preservation of historical monuments of
Samarkand of the Ashtarkhanid era // Computer
technologies in sharing the Cultural Heritage and education
of the Silk Road from Uzbekistans. – P. 241-248.


background image

CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HISTORY (ISSN: 2767-472X)

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Mahmud b. Amır Walı, Bahr al-asrar, Tashkent fund of
oriental studies manuscripts, №7418, p.4a-b, 35a. (in
Persian)

Mahmud b. Amır Walı, Bahr al-asrar, Tashkent fund of
oriental studies manuscripts, №7418, p.8a. (in Persian)

Abd al-Ghaffär Qrïmï, Umdat al-tawᾱrïkh, ed, N.Āşim in
pseperately paginated supplement to Ƭȕrk Tarih Encȕmeni
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Ziyoyev A.,O’zbek davlatchiligi tarixi. Sharq nashriyoti,
Toshkent:. 2000. – 256-257. (in Uzbek)

Iskhakov, D.M., “O rodoslovnoi khana Ulug-
Mukhammeda”, in Tiurkologicheskii sbornik 2001 (2002),
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Qädir ‘Alï Bïk Jaläyirï, Jᾱmi’ al-tawᾱrῑkh, ed. And translit.
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(Almaty:Nauka, 1989), 140-242.)(in Kazakh)

Zaitsev, I.V., “Obrazovanie astrakhanskogo khanstva”, in
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Russian)

Abd al-Ghaffär Qrïmï, Umdat al-tawᾱrïkh, 94,108-109.ed,
N.Āşim in pseperately paginated supplement to Ƭȕrk Tarih
Encȕmeni Mecmuasi 15-16 (1925-1926) (in Turkic)

Mahmud b. Amır Walı, Bahr al-asrar, Tashkent fund of
oriental studies manuscripts, №7418, p.4a-b, 35a. (in
Persian)

Eshov B., O’zbekiston davlat va mahalliy boshqaruv tarixi.
Ikkinchi

kitob.

– Toshkent.: Yangi asr avlodi,

2019.P.59.(in Uzbek)

Imamkulinama, Tashkent fund of oriental studies
manuscripts. №89, p.196 (in Persian)

Silsilat as-salatin, Ms, Badlwin lib.(Great Britain).
Inv.№169, 1,1896. p.124; [17] Ziyoyev A.,O’zbek
davlatchiligi tarixi. Sharq nashriyoti, Toshkent:. 2000. –
256-257. (in Uzbek):. 2000. – 256-257.;

A weapon used to throw stones and fire in battle

A catapult-like weapon used for throwing stones

Kazan.

That is, an ax

cannon

rifle

Heavy stone weapon

Imamkulinama, Tashkent fund of oriental studies
manuscripts, №89, p.54a. (in Persian)

Mahmud b. Amır Walı, Bahr al-asrar, Tashkent fund of
oriental studies manuscripts, №7418, p.142a. (in Persian)

Silsilat as-salatin, Ms, Badlwin lib.(Great Britain).
Inv.№169, 1,1896. p.146b (in Persian)

Muhammad Yusuf al-Munshi b.Khwajah Baqa Balkhi,
Tarikh-I Muqim Khani, in Tehran, p.203b.(in Persian)

Mahmud b. Amır Walı, Bahr al-asrar, Tashkent fund of
oriental studies manuscripts, №7418, p.88b. (in Persian)

Imamkulinama, Tashkent fund of oriental studies
manuscripts, №89, p.97a. (in Persian)

The history of Sayyid Rakim №1187724, Manuscript fund
of Samarkand State University, p.209b, 213b. (in Persian)

Imamkulinama, Tashkent fund of oriental studies
manuscripts, №89, p.60 b. (in Persian)

ش ز

ی

ناخ

رابک ردص ملاسا

ای

نا

هجاوخ

ی

بوق

ش

ی

خ

رادتقا

ز

ی

نارا

دنسپ مدرم زاترم

رد

ن دوب نمجنا نآ

ی

ر

دنلب

زگ

ی

هد

قن

ی

ب

رادمان هش

نسح

س رب رب رگ هولج دش هجاوخ

ی

را

هپس

بانج مج هش نارورس

دندش

باتفا نوچ هرمز نآ ردنا

Mutribi

al-Samarkandi.

Nuskhah-yi

ziba-yi

Jahangir.p.216.(In Persian)

References

Milos Marek, Kayumov Rakhim, Samarov Khonkul. Cooperation in the digiizaion of cultural heritage // Echo of Hisory. 2021 № 1. – P. 24-25.

Miłosz M., Miłosz E., Montusiewicz J., Determination of ceramic tile colour surface areas on the medieval Sher-Dor Madrasah mosaic in Samarkand – Problems and solutions. In: Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 2020, vol. 16, p. 1-6.

Kęsik Jasek, Miłosz Marek, Montusiewicz Jerzy, Samarov Khonkul. Documenting the geometry of large architectural monuments using 3D scanning – the case of the dome of the Golden Mosque of the Tillya-Kori Madrasah in Samarkand. In: Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 2021, vol. 22, p. 1-11.

Samarov Khonkul. The Registan Ensemble – an Architectural Jewel of the Silk Road // Tangible Cultural Heritage of the Silk Road from the Area of Modern Uzbekistan, Lublin-2021, Page 15. (9-16)

Rahmonova Parvina. The use of IT technologies in the study and preservation of historical monuments of Samarkand of the Ashtarkhanid era // Computer technologies in sharing the Cultural Heritage and education of the Silk Road from Uzbekistans. – P. 241-248.

Mahmud b. Amır Walı, Bahr al-asrar, Tashkent fund of oriental studies manuscripts, №7418, p.4a-b, 35a. (in Persian)

Mahmud b. Amır Walı, Bahr al-asrar, Tashkent fund of oriental studies manuscripts, №7418, p.8a. (in Persian)

Abd al-Ghaffär Qrïmï, Umdat al-tawᾱrïkh, ed, N.Āşim in pseperately paginated supplement to Ƭȕrk Tarih Encȕmeni Mecmuasi 15-16 (1925-1926).(in Turkic )

Ziyoyev A.,O’zbek davlatchiligi tarixi. Sharq nashriyoti, Toshkent:. 2000. – 256-257. (in Uzbek)

Iskhakov, D.M., “O rodoslovnoi khana Ulug-Mukhammeda”, in Tiurkologicheskii sbornik 2001 (2002), 63–74. (in Russian)

Qädir ‘Alï Bïk Jaläyirï, Jᾱmi’ al-tawᾱrῑkh, ed. And translit. R.G. Syzdykova, Iazyk ‘ Zhami at-tararikh’ Zhalairi (Almaty:Nauka, 1989), 140-242.)(in Kazakh)

Zaitsev, I.V., “Obrazovanie astrakhanskogo khanstva”, in Tiurkologicheskii sbornik 2001 (2002), 32–62. (in Russian)

Abd al-Ghaffär Qrïmï, Umdat al-tawᾱrïkh, 94,108-109.ed, N.Āşim in pseperately paginated supplement to Ƭȕrk Tarih Encȕmeni Mecmuasi 15-16 (1925-1926) (in Turkic)

Mahmud b. Amır Walı, Bahr al-asrar, Tashkent fund of oriental studies manuscripts, №7418, p.4a-b, 35a. (in Persian)

Eshov B., O’zbekiston davlat va mahalliy boshqaruv tarixi. Ikkinchi kitob. – Toshkent.: Yangi asr avlodi, 2019.P.59.(in Uzbek)

Imamkulinama, Tashkent fund of oriental studies manuscripts. №89, p.196 (in Persian)

Silsilat as-salatin, Ms, Badlwin lib.(Great Britain). Inv.№169, 1,1896. p.124; [17] Ziyoyev A.,O’zbek davlatchiligi tarixi. Sharq nashriyoti, Toshkent:. 2000. – 256-257. (in Uzbek):. 2000. – 256-257.;

A weapon used to throw stones and fire in battle

A catapult-like weapon used for throwing stones

Kazan.

That is, an ax

cannon

rifle

Heavy stone weapon

Imamkulinama, Tashkent fund of oriental studies manuscripts, №89, p.54a. (in Persian)

Mahmud b. Amır Walı, Bahr al-asrar, Tashkent fund of oriental studies manuscripts, №7418, p.142a. (in Persian)

Silsilat as-salatin, Ms, Badlwin lib.(Great Britain). Inv.№169, 1,1896. p.146b (in Persian)

Muhammad Yusuf al-Munshi b.Khwajah Baqa Balkhi, Tarikh-I Muqim Khani, in Tehran, p.203b.(in Persian)

Mahmud b. Amır Walı, Bahr al-asrar, Tashkent fund of oriental studies manuscripts, №7418, p.88b. (in Persian)

Imamkulinama, Tashkent fund of oriental studies manuscripts, №89, p.97a. (in Persian)

The history of Sayyid Rakim №1187724, Manuscript fund of Samarkand State University, p.209b, 213b. (in Persian)

Imamkulinama, Tashkent fund of oriental studies manuscripts, №89, p.60 b. (in Persian)

ز شیخان اسلام صدر کبار

ایان خواجه یقوب شیخ اقتدار

ز یاران مرتاز مردم پسند

در آن انجمن بود نیر بلند

گزیده نقیب شه نامدار

حسن خواجه شد جلوه گر بر بر سیار

سپه سروران شه جم جناب

شدند اندر آن زمره چون افتاب

Mutribi al-Samarkandi. Nuskhah-yi ziba-yi Jahangir.p.216.(In Persian)