Poi-Kalyan Ensemble in Bukhara
Poi-Kalyan Ensemble
Poi Kalan, or Po-i-Kalan (meaning "The Foot of the Great"), is an Islamic religious complex centered around the Kalyan Minaret in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. It stands in the historic heart of the city and has been a significant religious and architectural landmark for centuries.
Historical Background
Since 713, several ensembles of main mosques have been built in this area, south of the Ark citadel. One of these complexes, erected in 1121 by the Karakhanid ruler Arslan-khan, was destroyed during Genghis Khan's siege of Bukhara. However, the Kalyan Minaret survived the destruction and remains one of Bukhara's iconic landmarks.
Prior to the Islamic period, this site was home to a cathedral for fire-worshippers. Over centuries, various mosques were built, destroyed, and rebuilt on this ground. In 1127, Arslan-khan completed the construction of the cathedral mosque alongside the minaret, impressing even Genghis Khan, who mistook the mosque for a royal palace. Despite his admiration, the mosque itself was burned down, leaving only the minaret standing intact for many years afterward.
Political Context and Construction
Following the death of Shaibani-khan in 1510, Bukhara's political landscape shifted as local rulers gained more autonomy. In 1512, Muizz ad-Din Abu-l Gazi Ubaidullah, nephew of Shaibani-khan, became the sultan of Bukhara. He inherited his leadership role from his father, Mahmud-sultan, and governed Bukhara until 1533 when he ascended as the khan of the entire Shaibanid state, known as Maverannahr.
Ubaidullah chose to remain in Bukhara instead of relocating his capital to Samarkand. His preference for Bukhara ultimately led to the city's elevation as the capital of the newly established Bukhara Khanate. Ubaidullah-khan's reign marked a significant period of development for the city, as he and his son Abdul-Aziz-khan invested in architectural projects and promoted Bukhara as a political and cultural center.
Architectural and Cultural Significance
The decision to construct the Kalyan Mosque in 1514 was a strategic move by Ubaidullah-sultan to reinforce Bukhara's status. The mosque was designed to rival Samarkand's renowned Bibi-Khanym Mosque, reflecting a growing sentiment to position Bukhara as the dominant center of power in the region.
Through these grand architectural projects, Ubaidullah-sultan laid the foundation for Bukhara's future as the capital of the Shaibanid state, signaling a deliberate shift away from competing with Samarkand and instead focusing on establishing Bukhara's own prominence and legacy.