Arab Muhammad Khan Madrasah

One of the educational institutions built in ancient times, the Arab Muhammad Khan Madrasah, is located inside Ichan-Kala, the inner city of Khiva, which is an open-air historical and architectural complex. In the immediate vicinity of the madrasah, you can see the later rebuilt Aminkhan madrasah. The reason for the construction of the ancient madrasah was more than significant: the Khorezm ruler, Arab Muhammad Khan, thus marked the relocation of the capital city to towering Khiva from the former, decaying capital, Urgench.

The building conceived and built by the ruler differs significantly from the modern one, throughout its more than 400-year history it has been rebuilt and restored several times. For example, it turned from a one-story building into a two-story building. But wooden carved columns, as well as fragments of set ceilings, have been preserved from the original details of the building. The exterior of the madrasa is characterized by simplicity and even asceticism, which is especially noticeable in comparison with other buildings of this type, richly decorated with decor.

Madrasas are educational institutions in countries where a significant part of the population professes Islam. Initially, mosques were the place of learning, but over time a new type of architectural buildings was formed — madrasahs, the name of which can be translated as a place where students learn and gain knowledge. The buildings have some common features, but different areas may have different layouts and designs. Nowadays, educational institutions are divided into secular (they are secondary and higher secondary schools) and religious (they train religious leaders). Most madrassas are government institutions, but there are also private institutions with paid tuition.

Madrasas, like other buildings of the historical city of Khiva, not only amaze with their beauty, but also give an idea of the evolution of architectural styles and decorative elements. They also tell about the history of the city, the life and culture of its inhabitants in different eras.

History

The Arab Muhammad Khan of the Shibanid dynasty ruled in Khiva in the first two decades of the 17th century. During his reign, he significantly improved the system of government. Under his rule, Khiva not only became a flourishing new capital, but was also decorated with many elaborately decorated buildings, approaching the pearls of the East — Samarkand and Bukhara in their brilliance and splendor. Khan zealously improved the city, erected many buildings for religious and civil purposes, most of which, unfortunately, have not survived to this day.

In 1616, the Arab Muhammad Khan built a new one-story building, rectangular in plan, on the lands purchased from a wealthy city dweller, where she had previously set up a small educational institution. The entrance to the madrasah was preceded by an instructive inscription from the Holy Quran. The corners were topped by relatively low minarets. Inside there were a mosque and hujra cells for students, rooms for general classes.

Reconstruction and restoration took place in the madrasa building several times. So, by Allakulikhan, closer to the middle of the 19th century, due to the severe dilapidation of the building, it was radically rebuilt in the spirit of late Khiva architecture, with the addition of a second floor. New hujras and rooms dedicated to student activities have been added. Even the portal above the entrance had to be partially redone. The madrasah has acquired the finished look in which it appears to us in modern times.

Tourists coming to Khiva from different parts of the world do not ignore this madrasah, which has absorbed the history of the city, witnessed the change of rulers, changes in the cultural and daily life of the local population.