Rabat-i-Malik

In the Golodnaya Steppe, just a few kilometers from the city of Navoi in Uzbekistan, lie the ruins of the Rabat-i-Malik, a medieval monument from the Karakhanid epoch. This site, once a thriving summer residence, now offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s historical and architectural heritage.

Rabat-i-Malik dates back to the Karakhanid dynasty, a prominent Central Asian power during the 9th to 13th centuries. The structure was initially believed to be a caravanserai, a roadside inn for travelers, but archaeological studies have revealed it was actually a summer palace for the Karakhanid rulers. The nomadic Karakhanids moved between winter and summer residences, and Rabat-i-Malik served as one of their seasonal abodes.

The only parts of Rabat-i-Malik that have survived to this day are its foundation and its majestic entrance portal. The portal bears an ancient inscription engraved by unknown craftsmen, proclaiming, «The monument is erected by Sultan of the World and this ruinous place (Malik Steppe territory) became well-furnished.» By the late 19th century, the local residents had forgotten the history of the monument and referred to the remaining portal as the Bukhara Gates.

The first detailed description of Rabat-i-Malik came in the mid-19th century from A. Leman, a 27-year-old natural scientist who visited the site during the Bukhara mission led by N. Butenyev in 1841-42. Leman’s sketches and descriptions provided valuable insights into the monument, including details of a courtyard that had largely disappeared by the 20th century.