ISHRAT-KHONA 1464
This is a mausoleum for the female and infant members
of the Timuride dynasty. The name Ishrat-khona (House of Joy) was given
by the people for its gorgeous decor. The mausoleum was built on the orders
of Khabibi-Sultan-beghim, wife of the Timuride sultan Abu Sayid who ruled
from 1451 to 1469, in memory of their deceased daughter Sultan-Havend-bika.The
monument constitutes a complex of structures. Its central  section
is a cross-shaped crypt with a high ceiling. From the south-east it adjoins
a suite of three premises. From the north-west - a mosque. On both sides
of the entrance portal are two storeys of auxiliary premises. From the
central hall runs an underground passage into the octahedral crypt which
is spanned by an elliptical vault .The design of the vault is based on
the crossing of arches and pendentives. The main hall has a tall panel
running along the base of the walls from which rise the ribs, arches and
pendentives to form the stellar bowl of the shallow dome .The interior
decor comprises murals and kundal-technique plafonds. The external facades
used to have a rich ceramic facing - mosaic filling of tympanums and cartouches
.The earthquakes of 1897 and 1903 brought down the dome and the tall drum.
Measures are being currently taken to ensure the conservation and restoration
of this outstanding work of architecture.The dimensions are 27.5 by 22.5
m; height - 18-19 m.
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