Narbutabia madrasa

Norbotabi madrasa (Madrasai Mir) – an architectural monument in Kokand (late 18th century). It was built during the reign of Kokand khan Norbotabi. It is also known among the people as Madrasai Mir. The Norbotabi madrasa was built near the market square. It is a one‑storey building with a courtyard, rectangular in plan (52 × 72 m), with minaret‑like towers at its four corners. Around the courtyard (38 × 38 m) a row of vaulted rooms is placed. The portal faces north. On both sides of the portal there are a domed mosque with a cupola and a classroom with 12 windows (with panes) attached. The Norbotabi madrasa is built of fired brick. The interior rooms are plastered. The dome’s underside and the mihrab’s star‑shaped decorations are striking. The doors are adorned with geometric patterns, and the interior features carved Islamic motifs. The external appearance of the Norbotabi madrasa is characteristic of the Bukhara architectural school.

Ad.: Azimov I., Architectural Monuments of the Fergana Valley, T., 1986.

History

In Hijri 1213, AD 1798, it was commissioned by the Kokand ruler Norbotabi ibn Abdurrahmonxon. It is located on the former Buljor, now Yangi Chorsu square. Norbotabi was given the title “amir al‑muslimin”. Therefore the madrasa was called “Madrasa‑i amir al‑muslimin”. In popular speech there is a tendency to shorten any name. Thus the madrasa name was shortened in pronunciation to “Madrasa‑i Mir”. Although the official circles and documents name it “Madrasa‑i Mir”, among the people it continues to be called “Norbotabi madrasa”. The chief teachers appointed were Muhammad Yaʼqub Oxund bin Muhammad Khoja Eshoni Sadr. Number of rooms – 50; total number of students – 114; number of teachers – 12.

Architectural solution

The madrasa building’s plan is a perfect rectangle, its sides measuring 52 × 72 metres. The building’s large, majestic portal faces north. Large towers (minaret‑like elements) are built at its four corners. To the west of the portal (iwan) is the madrasa mosque, and to the east is a large classroom. From the iwan, a passage to the classrooms leads to the inner courtyard. The inner courtyard is square, its sides 38 × 38 metres. The inner courtyard is surrounded by forty rooms. The portal, mosque, and large classroom roofs are covered with domes. The domes are supported by arched arches. The parts of the domes that join the walls are decorated with muqarnas in the Sharafa style in plaster. The mosque’s mihrabs are ornamented with plaster muqarnas.

The gate and doors are made of pine and walnut wood, with delicate carved ornaments. The ornaments achieve a harmony of Persian and Islamic styles. The Mir building of the madrasa resembles the buildings of the Kokaldosh, Abdulazizkhon, and Mir Arab madrasas in Bukhara.

The madrasa operates until 1924.