Said Ahmadxoʻja madrasasi

Said Ahmadxoʻja madrasa — architectural monument in Margʻilon (late 19th century).

In 1907–1909 it was built by Sayyid Axmadxonxo‘ja G‘iyosxo‘jayev. Sayyid Ahmadxonxo‘ja is from the Qilich Burhoniddin lineage and is the son of Haji G‘iyosiddinxo‘ja esho. Sayyid Ahmadxonxo‘ja (20th century) was a well‑known, prominent scholar‑entrepreneur of his time and also built cotton‑cleaning and oil factories. In the “Annual Review of the Fergana Region” collection published in 1897, the entry on cotton‑cleaning factories mentions that Sayyid Axmadxonxo‘ja G‘iyosxo‘jayev had a steam‑powered cotton‑cleaning factory built in 1893.

Sayyid Ahmadxonxo‘ja madrasa was started in 1907 and completed in 1909. The architect is unknown. It consists of 18 rooms and a mosque with 2 iwans.

The madrasa measures 42.3 × 44.0 m. The courtyard (31.6 × 28.4 m) is bordered on the north‑east and south by rooms, on the west by a double‑storey structure, and on the front by a mosque with an iwan. A 1.5 m wide ditch runs through the middle of the courtyard. Near the ditch an old plane tree stands. Although the exterior of the madrasa is plain, the courtyard side is divided by a series of ornamental arches with decorative niches that make the rooms appear more elegant. The main hall (14 × 7 m) is covered with connected arches; its ceiling is divided by red and green lines, with depictions of flowers and twisted branches in between. The floral patterns on the arches and lintels are more elaborate, and the room walls are adorned with a chain of glazed tiles and a “qirma” style brickwork border.

The building is made of fired brick, but the craftsmen, taking into account local seismic conditions, reinforced the mosque walls with a double row of buttresses. The arches and ceilings of this mosque are adorned with carved floral motifs, and its decorations and styles, which are varied, are very rarely found in the Fergana Valley. It was renovated in 1985.

However, after the madrasa was completed it operated for only 19 years. 1909–1018 years madrasa, 1928–1942 years prison, 1942–1986 years dormitory, 1986–1992 years Marg‘ilon city Literature and Art Museum, since 1999 the “Hunarmand” union Marg‘ilon city branch office has been operating.

In 2007, on the occasion of the 2000th anniversary of the city of Marg‘ilon, the building was completely renovated. On September 7, 2007, when President I. Karimov visited the architectural monument, the “National Handicraft Center” was opened here. The center includes workshops of Marg‘ilon’s famous artisan families, the “Initiative-2005” competition winners, the family of Rahimjon and Rasuljon Mirzaahmedov, children of the famous silk fabric master Turg‘unboy Mirzaahmedov, the family of Shukrullo Ahmadaliev, child of the chitter Solijon Ahmadaliev who preserves the Marg‘ilon chitter art, and the workshops of the 5th generation of copper workers, the Abduhamid Madaliyev family.

The center houses the Marg‘ilon “Hunarmand” union office, with more than 500 artisan members, a gallery of handicraft products, and the “Museum of Artisans”.

In some sources the madrasa’s name is also given as “Shaykh-ul-Islam”. Later the population began to refer to the madrasa by the name of the person who built it.

The complex is located at 1 Eshon Street, Said Ahmad khan’s house, in the “A. Navoi” neighborhood.