Jarkurgan Minaret, vicinity of Termez

Jarkurgan Minaret is a remarkable monument of medieval Islamic architecture in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region, 30 kilometers from Termez. Built in the XII century, it stands out for its unusual design, which sets it apart from the classic minarets of Central Asia. Its architecture reflects influences from Eastern Iranian and Indian traditions, skillfully combined with local building techniques.

History

The minaret was constructed in 1108–1109, as confirmed by an Arabic inscription on the facade that names the architect, Ali ibn Muhammad of Serakhs. It originally belonged to a large Friday mosque commissioned by the last sultan of the Seljuk Empire, Ahmad Sanjar ibn Malik-Shah. The mosque was likely destroyed by an earthquake and later dismantled for bricks by local residents. Its remains were uncovered during excavations in 1879. The minaret itself survived, though it leans 2 degrees off the vertical axis and has lost its upper section. Reinforcement work was carried out in 1948.

Architecture

The most striking feature of the Jarkurgan Minaret is its sculpted facade of 16 vertical half-columns rising from an octagonal base. Each rounded shaft is built of elongated burnt bricks laid in a herringbone pattern, creating a distinctive zigzag design. The recessed half-columns and the method of clay block masonry not only produce a powerful visual effect but also enhance the strength and stability of the structure. This technique was widely used in medieval Khorezm, but it reached exceptional refinement in Jarkurgan.

The base of the tower is adorned with Arabic inscriptions and decorated with tall pointed arches. Today, the minaret stands 21.6 meters high, though it once rose to about 43 meters. Its upper section was probably crowned with a rotunda and dome, which have not survived.

Despite the loss of its upper tiers, the Jarkurgan Minaret remains one of the most distinctive monuments of medieval architecture in Central Asia. Its scale and craftsmanship continue to testify to the region’s rich history and the mastery of its builders.