Chor-Bakr Necropolis

In 1560, Abdullakhan II, a ruler of the Shaybanid Dynasty, decided to honor this noble family by commissioning the construction of a mosque, madrasah, and khanaka at the site. This was a gift to his teacher, Djuybar Sheikh Muhammad Islam Khoja, who passed away in 1563. The construction of the complex was completed in the same year.

When Muhammad Islam’s son, Khodja Bakr Sadi, died in 1593, he was buried next to his father. Over the years, other family members, including Abu Bakr Fazl and Tojidin Khasan, were also interred there. These four men, who held the title «Bakr,» rest in a single khazira (tomb). The term «Bakr» translates to «brother,» and thus Chor-Bakr means «Four Brothers.»

A khazira is a type of burial structure consisting of a courtyard surrounded by solid walls, with a single entrance marked by a beautifully decorated gate. This distinctive structure sets Chor-Bakr apart from other religious burials in Uzbekistan, such as the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis. The entire complex is built in this manner.

The khazira of the Djuybar Seyyids, located in the northwestern part of the complex, can be accessed via a long corridor where each step echoes off the brick walls. Other khaziras in the eastern part of the complex are arranged in a succession, stretching from north to south. Opposite these, behind a small pond, are the buildings of a mosque and khanaka. Over time, burial rituals became less stringent, and Chor-Bakr evolved into the Djuybar family tomb, where all dynasty members, including women, were buried.

In the early 20th century, a small minaret resembling the famous Kalyan Minaret in Bukhara was added to the complex. Today, the Chor-Bakr Necropolis comprises 30 architectural structures. Additionally, to the north of the necropolis lies a large garden, established as far back as the 16th century, planted with poplars, sycamores, willows, and various fruit trees.

Chor-Bakr is indeed an unusual and mysterious place. Visiting this necropolis, one cannot help but feel the presence of the world of the dead. In the quiet of its alleys, thoughts of life’s fragility and the transience of human existence naturally come to mind.