Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah

The Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah is an integral part of the architectural ensemble surrounding the famous Lyabi-Hauz in Bukhara. This madrasah, along with the nearby khanaka, was named after Vizier Nadir, who commissioned their construction. Vizier Nadir served at the court of Imamkuli-khan, one of the most powerful rulers of the Ashtarkhanid dynasty, who governed Bukhara from 1611 to 1642. Imamkuli-khan’s reign was marked by stability and relative peace, a period during which attention was given not only to warfare but also to urban development.

Initially, Vizier Nadir ordered the construction of a khanaka, a place for Sufis to meditate and rest. Later, a caravansary was added. However, during the opening ceremony, Imamkuli-khan declared that the caravansary was built in the glory of Allah, prompting the vizier to convert it into a madrasah. The Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah is adorned in a style typical of Central Asian Islamic monuments. Interestingly, it also features images of birds, animals, and a human figure representing the sun, which is unusual for Islamic architecture. The madrasah was modeled after the Sherdor Madrasah in Samarkand, but instead of the famous lions, the portal is decorated with mythical birds of happiness.