(...)
After lunch we headed towards the Oulough Begh Observatory and Museum
complex. Built in the 1420's the observatory was considered one of the
finest observatories of the Islamic world. Having been destroyed in 1449
by religious fanatics it wasn't but "rediscovered" in 1908. What is left of it is the 11 metre sextant, once considered he largest 90 degree quadrant of the time, which is now roofed over.
The small Museum facing it kept a few important artefacts, amongst which were an armillary sphere, a sky globe and a few important teaching books used in the Marasahs throughout the fifteenth century, as well as Star charts (copies of Oulough Begh' s star tables translated from the original Farsi).
Some relevant information provided the viewer with an insight into Oulough Begh's importance and the role he certainly played. Whilst reading a document I found out that an Observatory I had visited a year ago in Dehli was mostly influenced by him, in as much as many of the instruments were copies of those used by Oulough Begh.
I was impressed to see quite a few local visitors paying their respect to such an outstanding character, though I should have got used to it, once everywhere we went to the number of local visitors mostly outnumbered the tourists but this in turn led me to reinforce the idea I had already created in regards to the Uzbek people - they are or at least seem to be really proud of their historical heritage and those who contributed to the development of their country.
In the words of Oulough Begh "Religion disperses like fog, kingdoms perish, but the works of scholars remain for an eternity" ... and so it seems to be ...
(To be continued)
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