Uzbekistan’s golden relic

 

When we hear the name Samarkand, we envision ancient history, majestic architectural monuments, and millennia-old traditions of science and learning. The world’s most famous travelers, historians, and writers have composed works about this city. In particular, the Registan Square at the heart of the city is the very soul of Samarkand, the pride of Central Asia, and an invaluable treasure of world culture.

 

The Registan is not merely a historical building or a square it is a sacred space that embodies the lives, labor, dreams, and faith of thousands of people. Here, in earlier times, the most learned scholars taught, students studied for years, caravans of merchants passed through, poets found inspiration, and ordinary people raised their hands in prayer.

 

This square is like an indelible book preserving a thousand years of history. Every tile, every ornament, every dome reflects the love of past architects for their craft and their meticulous approach to it. Even today, Registan’s architecture, decorative art, and precision in construction amaze specialists from all over the world.

 

There is another important dimension: Registan is not only a historical monument but also a reflection of our people’s spiritual and intellectual wealth, their ancient aspirations for science, and their refined aesthetic taste. Standing here, one can see the past, feel one’s roots, and proudly say: “My ancestors created such magnificent monuments”.

 

Today, we value and protect Registan and present it to the world, because it is our history, our culture, and our identity. Understanding how this history was created and the stages it went through is essential for every Uzbek.

 

 

Ulugh Beg Madrasa – The first star of Registan

 

The oldest structure in Registan Square is the Ulugh Beg Madrasa, built by Mirzo Ulugh Beg between 1417 and 1420. Ulugh Beg, grandson of Amir Temur, was a great astronomer and statesman. He was not only a ruler but also a scholar of his era, remembered for his aspiration to make Samarkand not just a political center but also a hub of science, especially mathematics and astronomy.

 

The madrasa was built with that vision. Here, famous scholars such as Qadi Zada al-Rumi, Ali Qushchi, and Ghiyāth al-Din al-Kashi taught. It would not be an exaggeration to call this madrasa the “university” of its time. Along with religious sciences, modern sciences such as geometry, astronomy, logic, and philosophy were taught here.

 

Architecturally, the madrasa features a large portal, two-story student cells, an inner courtyard, and a mosque. Though centuries old, it has lost none of its charm. The portal’s tilework includes mathematical formulas, star patterns, and Qur’anic verses in Arabic calligraphy a vivid example of the harmony between art and science.

 

Sherdor Madrasa – Harmony of Art and Symbols

 

More than two centuries later, in the 17th century, the prominent official of the Bukhara Khanate, Yalangtush Bahadur, decided to revive Registan Square. Under his commission, the Sherdor Madrasa was built between 1619 and 1636.

 

It was constructed directly opposite the Ulugh Beg Madrasa, in a symmetrical arrangement. The main decorative elements are two tigers and a sun depicted on the portal motifs rarely used in Islamic art due to the general prohibition on animal imagery in religious architecture. Here, however, they carry symbolic meaning: the tiger represents strength and courage, the sun symbolizes light and life, and the human-like figure suggests the seeker of knowledge.

 

The madrasa’s interior is complex, with a large courtyard, classrooms, student cells, and a mosque. Sherdor Madrasa was not just an educational institution but also a school of art, with its ornamentation, tilework, and decoration executed using the most advanced techniques of its time.

 

Tillakari Madrasa

 

Yalangtush Bahadur did not stop there. He decided to complete Registan with a third madrasa. Thus, between 1646 and 1660, the Tillakari Madrasa was built. This madrasa served both as a place of learning and as a congregational mosque.

 

The name Tillakari means “gilded,” and this is no coincidence the main mosque inside the madrasa is decorated with real gold. The patterns under the dome and the inscriptions on the walls are covered with gold leaf, giving it a special radiance.

 

The madrasa includes a courtyard and classrooms, but the mosque section was especially important for Qur’an recitation and religious ceremonies. Architecturally, Tillakari is unique in combining religious and educational functions in a single building.

 

Architectural harmony of the Registan complex

 

Registan Square is not just three separate buildings together, they form a majestic, symmetrical, and conceptual unity. Each madrasa represents the spirit of its time:

 

• Ulugh Beg Madrasa — science and intellect

 

• Sherdor Madrasa — courage and philosophy

 

• Tillakari Madrasa — spirituality and beauty

 

All three feature central portals, tilework, domes, intricate geometric patterns, and Arabic calligraphy. These elements are harmoniously balanced, aesthetically unified, and constructed with the most advanced techniques of their time, including plaster carving, tile mosaic, marble inlay, and dome-lighting systems.

 

Registan’s significance today

 

Today, Registan Square is not just a historical monument but a living cultural center. In 2001, it was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Every year, thousands of tourists visit, gaining a view into Uzbekistan’s history and Eastern civilization through Registan.

 

In recent years, Registan has hosted international conferences, festivals, and concerts such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit (2022) and the “Sharq Taronalari” music festival further enhancing its international reputation.

 

Registan is not a museum frozen in the past; it is alive, speaking to us every day and calling us not to forget our identity. Every stone, every dome, every inscription is infused with life. To understand it is to understand our history, our nationality, and our spirituality.

 

In this sense, the plan to create a model of Registan Square for the exhibition of the Center of Islamic Civilization will make it possible to feel its historical and spiritual value more closely. Through the model, visitors will not only see the external beauty of this unique architectural ensemble but also learn the history, ideas, and values behind it. This initiative will enrich the exhibition and inspire in visitors a deeper interest in and pride for their national heritage.

 

Husan Tursunov

P/S: The article may be used provided that the official website of the Center is cited.