BUXORO ZINDONI

The Bukhara Zindan was the prison of the Emir of Bukhara. Built in the late eighteenth century during the rule of the Manghit dynasty, it was one of the largest prisons in the Emirate of Bukhara. Following the Bukhara Revolution, the collapse of the monarchy, and the establishment of the Bukhara People’s Soviet Republic, the prison was closed. Today, it is one of the city’s notable attractions and houses the Museum of the History of Law and Legislation of Bukhara.

History

The zindan was built in the second half of the eighteenth century during the Manghit dynasty. It is located in the northwestern part of the ancient shahristan, within the territory of the medieval Khoja Nizamiddin Bolo quarter, about one hundred meters northeast of the Ark Fortress.

Architecture

The zindan is a complex of buildings situated on an elevated area and surrounded by high walls constructed of baked brick. Entry is through a gateway with a small portal and an ancient double-leaf wooden door.

The prison was divided into two sections: Zindoni Bolo (Upper Prison) and Zindoni Poyon (Lower Prison). The upper section consisted of several courtyards containing cells for prisoners. Inmates were taken for walks around the courtyard twice a month while chained together and were required to walk barefoot regardless of weather conditions.

The lower section consisted of a deep pit approximately 5 meters in diameter and 6.5 meters deep. Prisoners were lowered into the pit using ropes, and food was delivered to them in the same manner. This method of imprisonment was common in many Muslim countries of that era.

A separate large chamber was reserved for political prisoners and high-ranking officials of the khanate who had been imprisoned. The prison commonly held rebels, murderers, robbers, thieves, debtors, rapists (if they had not been sentenced to death), condemned prisoners awaiting execution, and suspects awaiting trial.

The courtyard contains several low brick buildings from different historical periods. These structures served as quarters for prison guards and as cells for tax defaulters, debtors, political prisoners, and prisoners sentenced to death.

Along with Bukhara’s other architectural, archaeological, religious, and cultural monuments, the Bukhara Zindan is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage listings in Uzbekistan. In 2020, several scenes of a film about Behbudi were filmed at the site.