Muhammad Amin-khan Madrasah in Khiva
Muhammad Amin-khan Madrasah
The Muhammad Amin-khan Madrasah, located in the western part of Itchan Kala, the historic inner city of Khiva, Uzbekistan, stands as a significant architectural monument from the mid-19th century. Constructed between 1851 and 1855 under the decree of Muhammad Amin Khan, the ruler of Khiva from 1845 to 1855, this madrasah is renowned as the largest in Central Asia, reflecting the khan's ambition to establish a premier center for Islamic education.
Architectural Features
The madrasah spans an area of 72 by 60 meters, enclosing a square courtyard measuring 38 meters on each side. It comprises two stories with a total of 130 hujras (student cells), designed to accommodate up to 260 students. A distinctive feature of this madrasah is that many student cells consist of two rooms, a design element that was innovative for its time. The façade is adorned with intricate glazed brickwork in vibrant shades of blue, green, and yellow, showcasing the rich decorative traditions of the Khorezm region. Above the main entrance, an Arabic inscription proclaims: "This beautiful building will stand to please the descendants forever."
Adjacent to the madrasah stands the Kalta-Minor Minaret, an unfinished tower that was intended to be the tallest in the Islamic world. The madrasah and minaret together form a striking architectural ensemble that dominates the skyline of Khiva.
Historical Significance
Beyond its educational purpose, the Muhammad Amin-khan Madrasah also housed the Highest Muslim Court of the Khiva Khanate, underscoring its role as a center of both learning and judicial authority. Following the Soviet secularization policies, the madrasah was decommissioned in 1924 and repurposed as a prison during the 1930s. In recent years, it has been transformed into a hotel, offering visitors a unique opportunity to stay within a historic monument.
Current Use and Preservation
Today, the Muhammad Amin-khan Madrasah functions as a hotel and exhibition space, allowing guests to experience its historical ambiance firsthand. Its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of Itchan Kala in 1990 highlights its global cultural significance and ensures ongoing preservation efforts.
The Muhammad Amin-khan Madrasah remains a testament to Khiva's rich architectural heritage and its historical role as a center of Islamic scholarship and governance.
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