Modari Khan Madrasah

Historians highly appreciate Abdullah Khan's efforts to improve the region. Thanks to the strengthening of the central government, major construction works were carried out under him. Under Abdullah Khan, more than 1,000 rabats (an inn) and sardob (a water tank dug into the ground), many madrassas, mosques, bridges, and reservoirs were built. An extensive trade center was established in Bukhara.

   So in the western part of the historical part of Bukhara there is a Kosh madrasah. It is an architectural ensemble consisting of two madrassas: Modari Khan Madrassah and Abdullah Khan Madrassah.

   Madrasas built in the 16th century are located opposite each other.

    The Modari Khan Madrasah was built first in 1566-1567. Modari Khan translates as "mother of Khan", as this madrasah was built by Uzbek Khan Abdullah Khan II in honor of his mother.

   The main facade of Modari Khan Bogatyi is decorated with multi-colored brick mosaic tiles that form geometric patterns. There are images of butane flowers on majolica tiles. But it should be noted that with all this, the facade decoration looks modest.

   Inside the madrasah is a courtyard with one quince tree, two-story loggias, and hujras. According to the classical principle, the madrasah also provides a dormitory for students and a darshon (study room).

   The madrasah building itself is designed in an original way. It has a trapezoidal shape. The madrasah was built in this way, since the existing street did not allow the building to be correctly oriented while maintaining a rectangular layout.

   The second Madrasah of Abdullah Khan was built in 1588-1590. The Abdullah Khan Madrasah is a work of art of Asian architecture. The exterior and courtyard facades of the madrasah are decorated with sets of glazed bricks and blue-blue majolica.

   All the buildings of the madrasah are built around an inner courtyard. The mosque has two floors. There are four iwans with high portals in the courtyard. The dome is decorated in an original way. It is decorated with geometric patterns representing five-, eight- and nine-pointed stars. All this gives the madrasa a festive look, especially at dawn, when the rays of the sun illuminate the facade of the building. The doors in the madrasah deserve special attention, they are assembled from separate pieces of wood, without a single nail.

   It should be noted that the interior decor of the madrasah creates an unforgettable picture peculiar only to Bukhara.