Photos

The madrasah was built as the largest residential theological school in Khiva, housing over 260 students. It was constructed between 1845-55, within an extensive urban development program of the Ichan-Kala (inner fortress) by ruler Muhammad Amin Khan. An attempt to reflect the glory of the then waning Khanate, the madrasah was conceived with an ambitious plan and possibly tallest minaret in Central Asia. The abrupt death of Muhammad Amin Khan in a battle against the Teke Turkmen in 1855 stalled construction to leave the incomplete minaret or Kalta minar (short minaret) a distinctive element of Khiva's skyline.

The madrasah features the traditional Timurid, four-iwan typology with a two-storied arrangement of student cells (hujra) around a large central court with unbroken exterior walls, magnified portal (pishtaq) and four corner cylindrical towers (guldasta). The photo shows a wood walkway which connects the northeastern guldasta tower with the twenty-six meter high and fourteen meter wide Kalta or Kok minar (short or green minaret), so known for its elaborate, alternating ornamental bands of glazed brick and majolica décor.

Presently madrasah houses a hotel, tourist agency, exchange office, air ticket office and cafe.