The constructions of this mosque started in 1399 after the victorious campaign of Timur to India and lasted 5 years. Timur declared that Bibi-Khanum mosque had to outshine everything he had seen visiting the other lands. The great architects, artists, masters and handicraftsmen from different countries of East were invited to participate in the constructions. Two hundred stonemasons from Azerbaijan, Fars, Hindustan and other countries worked in the mosque and another five hundred workers mined and squared stones in the mountains near Pendjekent to send to Samarqand.

Masters and handicraftsmen driven and gathered together from all over the world, brought to the constructions their art experience and traditions. The constructions had not been completed yet, but Timur left for another campaign. When he came back to the capital, he wished to see the new mosque. The grandiose buildings occupied the rectangular yard of 130x102 m size.

On the western part of the yard there was a main mosque, on the northern and southern sides the small mosques were constructed. The vast inner yard was covered by the marble and enclosed with the gallery for praying. The entry to the yard was designed as a high portal with two rounded 50-meter minarets. The front of the cathedral mosque was also adorned with the portal and two minarets.

The outer walls of all premises were beautifully ornamented with the glazed bricks of different colors, which formed original geometric ornamental patterns and religious sayings. The luxurious internal decorations included majolica mosaic, carved marble, papier-mache stamping and gilded ornaments.

However Timur did not like the results and in a temper ordered to arrest Khodja Makhmud David and Mukhammed Djeld, who were in charge of the constructions. They were sentenced to death and hanged on the other side of Siab channel, at the foot of Chupanata mountains.

There is a poetic legend about the constructions of Bibi-Khanum mosque. Beauty Bibi-Khanum, the wife of Timur, decided to make a surprise for her husband. When the ruler left for another military campaign, she invited the best builders and masters from Samarqand and suggested to construct the building. The works started immediately. The walls rose fast. Bibi-Khanum began to visit the site more frequently.

She hurried the chief architect to complete the constructions. But he was charmed with the beauty of the tsarina and did not press the builders. Meanwhile the tidings about forthcoming return of Timur came to Samarqand. Bibi-Khanum was in a rage. Then the architect make terms: "The mosque will be completed in time, but you must present me a kiss". The tsarina was indignant: "I will present you anyone of my slaves you wish. Why are you gazing only at me? Look on these painted eggs, they are of different colors and do not look like each other, but break them and you will see that they do not differ. We women are like that".

But the architect insisted: "I'll answer you. Here are two identical glasses. I'll pour water in one and the white wine in another. They are still identical. But when I taste them, one will burn me with the molten fire, while another will do nothing. Love is like that." Timur was near Samarqand. Bibi-Khanum was upset. Her surprise was under the threat of crash. Besides, as the legend tells, the architect was young and handsome. Bibi-Khanum agreed.

The architect bent forward to the tsarina. At the last moment she tried to shield by the palm, but the kiss was so passionate that the ardour got through the hand and left a red spot on her cheek. In several days Timur entered into the city. He was surprised by the beauty and magnificence of cupolas and minarets. But his joy was darkened when he saw the trace of the kiss on his wife's face. Timur was angered and Bibi-Khanum told him the truth.

The "iron lame man" ordered to find the architect, who ascended the minaret eluding the pursuit with his follower. When at last soldiers entered the room, the follower was alone. "Where is the architect?" asked the soldiers. "The teacher made the wings and flied to Meshed" was the answer.

This is the legend. But the history does not recognize Bibi-Khanum. It is known that the first wife of Timur was Saray-Mulk-Knanum.