External Minister Salman Khurshid on the last leg of his two-nation trip to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan today visited places of historical importance here including the mausoleum of first Mughal ruler Babur's forefather Timur.
He also went to the Ulugh Beg Observatory built by Timur's grandson Ulugh Beg on the northeastern outskirts of the city.
The three-storyed observatory was constructed from 1424-28 to measure the positions of the stars with unprecedented accuracy.
The Gur Emir mausoleum of Timur is believed to have inspired Indian architectural wonders Taj Mahal and Humayan's tomb.
Khurshid then visited the Registan Square, where once converged six radial thoroughfares leading to the gates of the city built by Timur.
Under Ulugh beg, it was the site of military parades public promulgation of orders and public executions.
The square has three madrasas.
He also went to the nearby bazaar which sells dry fruits, vegetables and Uzbek breads.
Another place the Indian minister visited was the unique mausoleum of Saint Daniel, located near the northern walls of Afrasiab hills.
The shrine is revered by people from all over the world.
The tomb is 10-metre-long and covered with green prayer rugs embroidered with gold thread.
He reached here in the morning from Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, where he placed a wreath on the bust of late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Winding up his two-nation visit, Khurshid then headed for New Delhi.
