+99 888 1664000 info@uzbekistan1.com

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
+99 888 1664000 info@uzbekistan1.com

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login

Shergazi-Khan Madrasah

Shergazi-Khan Madrasah

A Chronicle of Power, Revolt, and Knowledge

Nestled within the ancient walls of Ichan-Kala, the Shergazi-Khan Madrasah in Khiva stands not only as an architectural gem but also as a testament to a tumultuous history marked by power struggles, revolt, and a unique approach to education. This venerable institution, though no longer operational, continues to narrate the complex story of Khan Shergazi and the slaves who built this educational sanctuary during the 18th century.

The roots of Shergazi-Khan’s rise to power can be traced back to his birth in Bukhara. A well-educated individual, he ascended the throne in 1714, becoming the ruler of the Khiva Khanate. Known for his cunning military strategies, Shergazi Khan successfully defended Khiva against the first Russian expedition into Central Asia in 1717. The aftermath of his victories saw the capture of soldiers from various cities, turned into slaves for the construction of the madrasa that would bear his name.

Construction on the Shergazi-Khan Madrasa commenced in 1719, and it was strategically placed opposite Pahlavan Makmud’s mausoleum. However, the promises made to the slaves of freedom upon completion were never fulfilled. Legend has it that, angered by false assurances, the slaves turned on Shergazi Khan during an inspection, leading to his demise in 1728. The discrepancies in the timeline of events only add to the mystique surrounding the madrasa’s construction.

The rectangular, one-story building with two floors on the front side consists of a large courtyard encircled by 55 hujras (cells) and a lecture hall. The construction quality was compromised, either due to the haste of the slaves seeking liberation or Shergazi Khan’s constant interference. Subsidence of the ground beneath the building over the centuries led to several restorations, with the most significant undertaken in the 20th century.

Despite its inauspicious origins, the Shergazi-Khan Madrasah evolved into a hub of knowledge and received the popular moniker “Maskani Phasilan” or “the abode of knowledge.” It became an educational institution where residents of the Khiva Khanate and neighboring regions sought enlightenment. Renowned figures such as the Uzbek poet and historian Pakhlavankuli Ravnak, the Karakalpak poet Azhiniyaz Kasybayuly, and the Turkmen poet and philosopher Makhtumkuli were among its notable students.

Today, Shergazi-Khan Madrasah stands as a silent witness to a bygone era. The cells may be empty, and souvenir shops now line its entrance, but the echoes of its turbulent past and progressive education still linger. The inconspicuous building in the heart of Ichan-Kala narrates a fascinating chapter in the history of the slave-owning Khiva Khanate of the 18th century.

Tours to Consider
Top Destinations Tours 

Tashkent

18 tours

Khiva

16 tours

Ferghana

2 tours

Bukhara

22 tours