First day:)

May 23, 2022

23.05.2022.

Today, our first day, and we visited to Lyabi Hovuz and its inside places: Kukaldosh madrasah, Nodirdevonbegi and Khoja Nasriddin Statue. I and Go'zal prepared to talk about this places to our classmates and other tourists, that is to say, we should guide to people. Firstly, we visited Nodirdevonbegi,

Labi Hauz which is translated as ‘at the pond’ is one of the central squares of Bukhara situated in the southeast part of the city. The architectural ensemble was created in the 16th-17th centuries.

The square has the form of an irregular polygon with the Divan-Begi madrasah in the eastern part. In the western part, opposite the madrasah, is the Divan-Begi khanqah. The khanqah is a small cruciform building with a domed hall in the centre and two storeys of khujras around it. The main façade is flanked with low towers and decorated with mosaics and interwoven ornaments running at its sides. The lateral facades consist of arched entrances and systems of smaller arches.

Go'zal speak about the Nodir devonbegi and its history:

Nadir Devonbegi Madrasah (original name: Nadr Devonbegi Madrasah) is an architectural monument in Bukhara. It was built by the khan of Bukhara, the minister of Imamqulikhan, Nadir devonbegi (Nadir mirza Togay ibn Sultan) (1622-23). Nodir Devonbegi madrasa (Bukhara) m. Labi-pool is located in the eastern part of the ensemble. Originally built as a caravanserai, it was turned into a madrasa by the khan's decision. It has no madrasah, a mosque, or a large classroom, and the courtyard is surrounded on two sides by small two-story rooms. The rooms have carved doors and grilles on the tops of the doors. The yard is paved with bricks. The main style is May-grain. There is a pool at the front. The roof is majestic and majestic. Among the floral motifs are the legendary humo kushi, who is striving for the sun, and the image of a deer grazing in brightly colored tiles.

In Bukhara, near the famous historical complex Lyab-i Hauz, the well-known architectural monument Kukeldash Madrasah is located (built in 1568 - 1569). It is the largest Bukhara madrasah and one of the largest ones in Central Asia. It was built during the reign of Abdullah-Khan II and was funded by Bukhara governor Kulbab who ruled the city under several khans and managed to maintain good relations with all of them. For his close relationship with the khans the governor was given the title Kukeldash, which was one of the highest standings in the khan’s court and meant ‘a milk brother’. Later the madrasah was named after him.

Many people believe that Kukeldash Madrasah is part of Lyab-i Hauz complex, but it is wrong: archaeological excavations and research proved that the madrasah is a separate structure that bears no relation to Lyab-i Hauz.

This is how we can describe Khoja Nasriddin, a wise man, a man of humor, a man of words, a master of expressions. In his jokes, he laughed at the vices of greedy rulers, rich people and judges, and ridiculed hypocrisy and cowardice, bribery and usury. Laughing at the evils of humanity and trying to get out of even the most difficult situations, he tried to be close to the people because of his uniqueness, simplicity and cheerfulness.

In our country, this cunning old man is respected as a national hero.

You may ask why his image is associated with Bukhara.

This symbol of joy for the people of our country was invented by the Soviet writer Leonid Solovev. He wrote two novels about the adventures of Khoja Nasriddin: "The Charming Prince" and "The Breaker of Peace." Thus, this hero appeared in Bukhara and even became a national symbol. In 1979, a statue of this legendary hero was erected in Bukhara. And every spring in Bukhara in honor of Khoja Nasriddin jokes. festival will be held.

Kukeldash Madrasah was also a unique building of its time in terms of architecture. Virtually all the madrasahs then had the similar design of a solid rectangle with a large decorated portal and a courtyard. Kukeldash Madrasah has no solid walls. Instead, they are walls with niches and balconies with stucco ornaments. There are 160 hujra cells in the madrasah, filling the both floors along the perimeter of the spacious courtyard.

Kukeldash Madrasah was built by the best master craftsmen of its time. The decorative vaults feature stucco arches in numerous combinations. The mosaic of the front gate was made without glue or nails. The main entrance is covered with mosaics showing beautiful geometric decorative patterns.

The madrasah has several times changed its purposes during its history. Besides its main purpose of an Islamic school, it was used for a number of different needs. In the 18th c it was used even as a caravanserai.

The madrasah still remains in good condition despite the fact that once the portal was heavily damaged by an earthquake and was fixed with just iron braces. During the reign of Bekler-Beg its second floor with blue domes was dismantled for bricks. Thanks to the efforts of enthusiastic master restorers who took the reconstruction initiative, the madrasah was given back its original appearance. Now the building is again under reconstruction, which is to be completed by 2020.

Sadriddin Ayni, an outstanding Central Asian poet and writer of the modern times, lived and worked in the madrasah. He died in the mid-20th c, and the northern part of the building houses his memorial museum now. It shows his belongings and some of the manuscripts.