MIR ARAB MADRASASI

The Mir-i Arab Madrasa is one of the most famous madrasas in Bukhara. Its construction is closely associated with the Uzbek ruler Ubaydullah Khan and his spiritual mentor, Mir-i Arab. The program of study lasts four years. The daytime department admits students between the ages of 15 and 35 who possess either incomplete secondary or full secondary education. Both religious and general education subjects are taught. Students also study Arabic, English, Russian, and Persian. Instruction is conducted in Uzbek and Arabic.

History

The real name of Mir-i Arab was Sayyid Abdullah. At the age of twenty-two, he arrived in Samarkand and became a disciple of Khoja Ahror. In Sabron (Savron) in Turkestan, he sponsored the construction of two underground irrigation channels (karez), brought water to the area, built a fortress, and contributed to the development of many locations in Shofirkon, Vobkent, and Gijduvan. The Fortress of Mir-i Arab in Shofirkon has survived to the present day.

He made a significant contribution to the development of the Naqshbandi Sufi order. Mir-i Arab did not live to see the completion of the madrasa and died in early 1536. According to his will, the construction was completed by his son-in-law, Sheikh Zakariya.

The calligrapher Mirali Fathabadi Bukhari inscribed a Persian poetic verse praising the madrasa above its entrance gate.

Architecture

The main façade is dominated by a monumental portal. Behind the entrance lies a five-domed central hall (miyonsaroy), while on either side stand spacious classrooms, a mosque, and a mausoleum crowned with high domes.

The ceramic decorations once harmonized beautifully with ornamental inscriptions, although much of this decoration has not survived. The mausoleum interior features muqarnas vaulting, carved plaster decoration, and colorful ceramic tilework.

Inside the mausoleum are the wooden tombstone of Ubaydullah Khan (died in 1537), crafted in the traditional khatamkari technique, as well as the graves of Mir-i Arab and his relatives.

Historical sources state that the madrasa originally contained 111 student cells (hujras). However, some modern authors cite 114 cells, corresponding to the number of surahs in the Qur’an.

The overall dimensions of the madrasa are 68.5 × 51.8 meters, while the courtyard measures 35.4 × 31.3 meters and the classroom measures 8 × 8 meters. The rectangular courtyard is surrounded by two-story hujras with arched galleries. Four monumental iwans positioned at the center of each side of the courtyard enhance the grandeur of the complex.

The original appearance of the richly decorated southern portal has largely survived. Star-shaped ornamental motifs can be found among its decorations. Even the surviving fragments demonstrate the extraordinary refinement and elegance of the original design.

According to local tradition, the madrasa’s foundation was laid very deep and reinforced with mountain stones. Special underground drainage channels were constructed to carry rainwater away beyond the city walls.

In preparation for the celebration of Bukhara’s 2,500th anniversary, the damaged tile decorations and inscriptions on the portal and domes were carefully restored.