Sadyk gardens in the Center for Islamic Civilization

"… In every city, I ordered the construction of mosques, madrasas, khanaqahs, baths, and the construction of road stations for travelers, as well as bridges over rivers. Anyone who cultivates a barren land, or cultivates a garden, or restores any abandoned land, shall not collect anything from it in the first year, but in the third year, the kharaj shall be collected according to the law."

Amir Timur, "Timur’s Code"

Sahibkiron Amir Timur paid special attention to the construction of gardens during his reign. According to historian Hafiz Abrui, when Amir Timur saw that the agricultural and irrigation works in the Murghab Valley in Khurasan were ruined, he ordered the digging of 20 canals from the river to irrigate the land and revive agriculture and cultivation. He also ordered the construction of bridges over the Kukhak-Zarafshan, Amudarya, and Syrdarya rivers. By his decree, irrigation works were carried out in Bukhara, Samarkand, Shahrisabz, and Fergana. Similar construction projects were also carried out in other regions of the state. He ordered the construction of a 42 km canal in the mountainous Karabakh region. In the city of Mughan in Southern Azerbaijan (Iran), he established 12 gardens. During the reign of Amir Timur, unparalleled gardens were created and given unique names. The first information about these gardens can be found in the works of past historians, poets, and travelers. Additionally, the gardens of Amir Timur were depicted in miniature paintings by medieval artists. These gardens were of two types:

Charbaghs – geometric (square) in shape, each side stretched about 1 km. Canals running through the center divided them into four equal parts. There was a tower at each corner of the high surrounding walls. A palace was located in the center. The gates of such gardens were constructed facing the city.

Non-geometric gardens - constructed in natural orchards and thickets, were intended for the ruler’s hunting. The main part was preserved in its natural state. Only a small portion of it had palaces and tents for rest. Ponds were dug, and fountains were installed. These types of gardens had a rich flora and fauna.

Some of the most beautiful and famous gardens of Amir Timur are as follows:

Baland Garden – Sahibqiron ordered its construction in the northern part of Samarkand near the Chuponota Mausoleum (currently near the airport) in honor of his granddaughter (the daughter of Mironshah). Iranian, Azerbaijani, and other countries’ garden experts and architects participated in its construction. In the center of the garden, a magnificent palace was built from Tabriz white marble, surrounded by vineyards, fig orchards, and pomegranate gardens, providing beautiful tranquility.

Behesht Garden – This garden was built by Amir Timur in 1378 in the western part of Samarkand in honor of Malika Khayruniso. Some written sources refer to it as the "Garden of Paradise". In the center of the garden was a palace, built on an artificial hill, surrounded by a moat, and made of Tabriz white marble. Several elevated bridges led to the palace. On one side of this garden was a zoo, where various animals were kept.

Bogi Davlatobod – This garden is located 13 km south of Samarkand, on the left side of the large Uzbekistan highway. Amir Timur built it after returning from his victorious campaigns, where he rested and received foreign ambassadors. The garden featured canals, four ponds, and a large palace. The palace was constructed on an artificial mound, surrounded by a moat. Two raised bridges provided access to it.

Bogi Behesht – This garden was built by Amir Timur in 1378 in the western part of Samarkand in honor of Queen Khayruniso. Some sources refer to it as the "Garden of Paradise." In the center of the garden, there was a palace built on an artificial mound surrounded by a moat, made of Tabriz white marble. Several raised bridges led to the palace. One side of this garden housed a zoo where various animals were kept.

Bogi Davlatobod – This garden is located 13 km south of Samarkand, on the left side of the large Uzbekistan highway. Amir Timur built it after returning from victorious campaigns, where he rested and received foreign ambassadors. It had canals, four ponds, and a large palace. The palace was constructed on an artificial mound surrounded by a moat. Two raised bridges provided access to it.

Bogi Dilkusho – Built in honor of Queen Tukalhonim, this garden is located 5 km east of Samarkand, on the right side of the Panjakent road (in the place of the ancient Ghijduvan village). In the walls of the palace in the garden, scenes from the wars Amir Timur fought in were painted.

Bogi Jahonoma – Amir Timur built this garden 42 km from Samarkand, in the foothills of the Zarafshan mountains (near Urgut). It had a palace and a fortress. The area of the garden was very large, and a lost horse was found six months later.

Bogi Maydon – Located at the foot of the Chuponota hill, north of Samarkand. According to historical sources, the garden had a magnificent pavilion (kushk) and a throne made of precious stones. Amir Timur’s grandson, Mirzo Ulughbek, further beautified this garden.

Bogi Nav – This garden was built in 1404 by Amir Timur in the southern part of Samarkand, in the place of Lolazor village. The garden was square-shaped, surrounded by high clay walls, with towers at each corner.

Bogi Chinor – Located to the east of Samarkand (in the southwestern part of Konigil, where the modern Qoshtamgalik hill is), this garden had many magnificent plane trees. A palace was located in the center of the garden.

Bogi Shamol – This garden was located in the western part of Samarkand. Its palace was square in shape, with each side measuring 1500 steps. The walls were lined with marble, and the floor was made of blackwood and elephant tusks. The area of the garden and its canals are still called the Bogi Shamol.

Besides these gardens, Amir Timur also built many other gardens and palaces around Samarkand. These include Bogi Buldhu, Bogi Zogon, Bogi Nakshe Jahan, Bogi Amirzoda Shohruh, Boghcha, Bogi Dilafruz, Bogi Sheron, Gulbog, Lolazor, Bedana Qorigi, Chumchukli, Gozkhona, and many others, all of which were magnificent in their own right.

The Islamic Civilization Garden, being built behind the Uzbekistan Center for Islamic Civilization, is expected to feature miniature models of Amir Timur’s gardens. Each garden will be separated by beautiful oriental fences. Nine gardens will be created, inspired by the ones mentioned above, incorporating both the traditional architecture of the Amir Timur period and modern architectural principles. Special small palaces, canals, fountains, and small animal enclosures (for peacocks, deer, and other scenic animals) will be built using marble, brick, and other materials. Each garden will be named after the Amir Timur gardens.