Amir Temur caused the construction of Bibi-Khanym Mosque, which should have become a central cathedral mosque (djuma-mosque) of Samarkand. In intention, it should have outrivaled everything he had ever seen in the other countries. The construction was started in 1399, after Indian campaign and completed five years later, by 1404. Architects, artists and craftsmen from conquered countries were involved in the construction of this grandiose complex. Elephants, brought by Sohibkiran from India, lifted and transported heavy loads. The mosque was still under construction, when Temur started on his big western campaign against sultans of Turkey and Egypt. On return, Amir Temur was annoyed with results and executed the responsible ministers. He ordered to reconstruct the portal which seemed not enough high.
Finally, the cathedral mosque was supplied with one of the most enormous entrance portals of that time. Its arch was flanked by powerful pylons with minarets in corners up to 50 meters in height. The inscription above the entrance met visitors: "Let the incomer be in peace". The front entrance had bronze doors reproducing a long melodious sound at knock. According to the text: "The sound of these huge doors, made from the alloy of seven metals, calls prayers from seven climates in the house of Islam". This unique gates were dismantled and took from Samarkand by Iranian shah Nadir invaded Maverannahr in 1740. Above the portal there is an inscription: "Dwelling of creatures is everything - hypocrisy, falsehood and passions. Everything is concentrated exclusively at a threshold of the World Lord’s hall - and only... ".
Marble slabs paved the spacious yard 130x102 m. It could admit thousands of believers coming to pray. The main portal played a role of huge mihrab. The yard was encircled by the arch-dome gallery on four hundred marble columns. On yard’s axes there were three buildings with domes: opposite the portal - the main building with cathedra of imam (minbar) and two small winter mosques at sides. The main building had a huge external dome with gilded top, crowned by a sphere and crescent. Previously, in the center of the yard there was a pavilion for ritual ablutions. Currently, there is a marble lectern for tremendous Koran. It was made at the time of Ulugbeg and was kept in the main building. Four corners of the external wall were towered by minarets. The external walls were decorated with coloured glazed bricks. Interior decor was even more magnificent and consisted of majolica mosaics, carved marble and wall paintings with gilded patterns.