The Art of Peshtaq in Timurid Architecture: Historical Genesis, Geometric Proportions, and Semantic System
Keywords:
Timurid architecture, pishtaq, monumental portal, geometric proportion, modular system, composition, symbolic meaning, Samarkand, architectural heritageAbstract
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical genesis, compositional structure, geometric proportioning principles and symbolic-semantic meaning of the pishtaq in Timurid architecture. The study focuses on major Timurid monuments in Samarkand, including the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the madrasas of the Registan ensemble. The research combines historical-comparative, morphological, graphic-reconstructive, modular-proportional and semantic methods. The findings demonstrate that, during the Timurid period, the pishtaq evolved beyond a mere entrance element and became a monumental architectural sign expressing urban dominance, compositional hierarchy, ideological meaning and mathematical harmony. The square module, central axis, arch geometry, epigraphic bands, girih ornaments and muqarnas layers function as a unified artistic and tectonic system. The proposed interpretation may serve as a theoretical and methodological basis for restoration, graphic reconstruction and the integration of national compositional codes into contemporary architectural design.
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