Registan | Ulugbek Madrasa

During the reign of Timur’s grandson – Muhammed Taragay Ulugbek – the first building of the complex, Ugulbek Madrasa, was constructed at Registan in 1417-1420. It was the ruler and scholar who ordered the construction. Due to this madrasa and the observatory Samarkand became famous as one of the main scholar centers of the medieval East in the first half of the XV century. The history did not preserve architect’s name, yet a message of a Herati poet Zaynutdin Vasifi, who lived 40 years in Tashkent, says it was Kamaleddin Muhandis, a student of Kaza-zade Rumi.
Ugulbek Madrasa is an enclosed rectangular yard with an auditorium-mosque occupying its back part and four minarets rising in the corners of the ensemble. Around the yard, two groups of arches opened outside leading to 50 cells which accommodated over 100 students of the madrasa. Deep niches were situated at the yard’s axes. At first the Ugulbek Madrasa was a two-storey building with four domes around the corner auditoriums.
The Madrasa looks towards the square with its giant portal, occupying two thirds of the main facade, and high and deep lancet arch. Three similar though smaller portals were situated at three other sides of the building. The rear portal served as the mosque entrance. The portals are the building’s most noteworthy elements. Their function is strictly decorative, they are meant to impress with monumentality and greatness. This impression is gained with a very simple technique – by making over-large door niches.
For all its grandeur, the building makes an impression of lightness and grace. There are no or minimal embossed details on the walls implying weight and thickness. The intricate geometric decor, mosaic panel of the arch, and the blue-and-cyan tile finish of the walls don’t even hint at hefty brickwork.
Besides the traditional citations from Koran, the madrasa portal exhibits the following inscription: “This is what can be said about this house: it is multilateral illumination for people, a direct way, grace for those with faithful vision. Respectable sultan, a son of sultan, founder of this edifice of science and blessing, supporter of peace and faith is Ulugbek Gurgan. Allah, save master’s palace, strengthen its basement until the end of its state. It is truly good to live in this majestic madrasa: We wish you peace! You have been gracious, so come in, and stay here forever. The year 820. Let it be known: this edifice, the most excellent and highest of the world places, the most perfect building as for the skill and works, shows the basis of sciences and leads along the way of salvation; here live the people of sharia and fatwa, hence the name of this great school – “home of the scholars”.

• Samarkand | Outline
  • Registan – Heart of the Leopard City
  • Registan | Ulugbek Madrasa
  • Registan | Madrasa of the East
  • Registan | Saving the Minaret
  • Registan | XVII Century
  • Registan | Tilla-Kori