Dorous Siadat complex (in Shahrisabz)

Dor us-siyodat architectural complex (also known as “Sayyidlar uyi”) – built in the south‑eastern part of the city of Shahrisabz, Qashqadaryo region, and is one of the most famous historical monuments of the Timurid period. This complex also served as the road leading to another famous city complex “Dor ut-tilovat” in the Middle Ages. In history these two complexes together served as a common cemetery for representatives of political and religious layers.

Structure

The architectural complex consists of a number of historical monuments, among which the most important is the Jahongir mausoleum. For many years the mausoleum managed to preserve its condition well. Run Gonzale de Klavixo, when he visited this place, wrote a number of remarks about the complex.

In the complex area a stone slab belonging to Amir Timur has been preserved to this day. There are opinions that the tomb of Umarshaykh Mirzo is also located here. The reason is that not far from this area the tombstone of Umarshaykh’s son Said Ahmad Mirzo was found. From this it becomes clear that the complex may once have been the burial place of Amir Timur and representatives of the Barlas tribe descending from him.

According to the work “Zafarnoma” written by Sharafuddin Ali Yazdi, Amir Timur ordered a special building to be constructed in Shahrisabz, in which the remains of his son Amirzoda Jahongir and other officials, and the generations of their descendants, would be placed. The Dor Us-sodot complex is very similar to the Yassaviy ensemble, its main western part having a width of 20 meters, the entrance leading to a prayer hall (or palace), from which a corridor leads to a building with an underground chamber intended for Amir Timur. From the long passage under the hall there is a possibility to pass to side rooms. It is assumed that these rooms at that time served as a kitchen, mosque, library, and chambers for guests.

Archaeological research

During the 1970–1980s many archaeological investigations were carried out in the areas belonging to the “Dor us-sodot” historical complex. As a result, many architectural remains were identified.

Among them, arches with a span of only 1.7 meters were found at a distance of 10.15 meters from the Jahongir mausoleum, behind the Oqsaroy arch. Its two proportional pedestals were built from white marble blocks. The discovery of this archaeological trench indicates that the arch was one of the largest of its time.

As a result of archaeological excavations carried out in 2002, the building remains belonging to the southern column of the complex were identified.