Amazing Dushanbe Monument of Ismail Samani

Isma'il ibn Ahmad was the Tajik Samanid amir of Transoxiana (892-907) and Khorasan (900-907). His reign saw the emergence of the Samanids as a powerful force. Isma'il was active to the north and east, steadily spreading Samanid influence as well as solidifying his control over other areas including Kirman, Sijistan and Kabul. Ismail was successful in establishing economic and commercial development and organized a powerful army. [Source]