Mir Arab Madrasah

Mir-i Arab Madrasa is one of the most famous Islamic educational institutions in Bukhara. Its construction is associated with the Uzbek ruler Ubaydullah Khan and his spiritual mentor Mir-i Arab (Sayyid Abdullah). Today, the madrasa continues to function as a religious educational center where students study Islamic sciences, general subjects, and languages such as Arabic, English, Russian, and Persian.

History

Mir-i Arab’s real name was Sayyid Abdullah. At the age of twenty-two, he arrived in Samarkand and became a disciple of Khoja Ahror. He made significant contributions to the spread of the Naqshbandi order and participated in the development of irrigation systems, fortifications, and settlements throughout the Bukhara region.

Mir-i Arab passed away in early 1536 before the completion of the madrasa. According to his will, the construction was finished by his son-in-law, Sheikh Zakariya. A Persian inscription composed by the calligrapher Mirali Fathabadi Bukhari can still be found on the madrasa’s entrance portal.

Architecture

The madrasa features a monumental entrance portal leading to a five-domed vestibule. On either side are spacious classrooms, a mosque, and a mausoleum. The mausoleum contains the tombs of Mir-i Arab, his relatives, and Ubaydullah Khan.

Historical records mention 111 student cells, although modern sources often refer to 114 cells, corresponding symbolically to the 114 surahs of the Qur’an. The madrasa measures 68.5 × 51.8 meters, while its courtyard covers 35.4 × 31.3 meters. The courtyard is surrounded by two-story arcaded cells, and four large iwans enhance its grandeur.

The building is renowned for its elegant glazed tilework, carved ganch decorations, star-shaped ornaments, and outstanding architectural design. During the celebration of Bukhara’s 2500th anniversary, damaged mosaics and inscriptions on the portal and domes were carefully restored.