Jarkurgan minaret, Medieval minaret in Jarkurghon, Uzbekistan.
The Jarkurgan minaret is a medieval tower with 16 half columns arranged in a fir tree pattern across its cylindrical form. The fluted design tapers from a wider base to a narrower top, standing roughly 26 meters tall today.
The minaret was constructed between 1108 and 1109 by Muhammad bin Ali Al-Sarkhasi in the medieval village of Charmangan. Over centuries it endured damage and weathering, reducing it to roughly half its original height.
The structure bears Kufic inscriptions that reflect the Islamic artistic traditions Central Asian craftsmen valued in this period. These carved details show how religious and decorative elements were woven into the building techniques of the time.
The tower stands southwest of Jarkurghon and is fairly accessible by road. Visiting in early morning or late afternoon light helps reveal the carved details and pattern along the fluted surface.
This structure represents one of the area's rare examples of advanced medieval engineering, with its converging columns designed to maintain stability in a slender tower. The builders solved the problem of height without modern reinforcements using this carefully planned column arrangement.
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