Bahoutdin Architectural Complex () is a complex in

Bukhara Bukhara ( ) is the List of cities in Uzbekistan, seventh-largest city in Uzbekistan by population, with 280,187 residents . It is the capital of Bukhara Region. People have inhabited the region around Bukhara for at least five millennia, and t ...

, Uzbekistan, that includes the tomb of

Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari Baha' al-Din Naqshband (; 1318–1389) was the eponymous founder of what became one of the largest Sufi Sunni orders, the Naqshbandi. Early life Baha al-Din was born in March 1318 in the village of Qasr-i Hinduvan, near Bukhara. Like the maj ...

, the founder of the

Naqshbandi Naqshbandi (Persian: نقشبندیه) is a major Sufi order within Sunni Islam, named after its 14th-century founder, Baha' al-Din Naqshband. Practitioners, known as Naqshbandis, trace their spiritual lineage (silsila) directly to the Prophet ...

order, who died in 1389. The ancient name of the location was Kasri Arifon.

History

The Bahouddin Naqshband Memorial Complex is located approximately 10 kilometers northeast of

and has been developed over many centuries. During the time of the

Soviets The Soviet people () were the citizens and nationals of the Soviet Union. This demonym was presented in the ideology of the country as the "new historical unity of peoples of different nationalities" (). Nationality policy in the Soviet Union ...

, it was forbidden to visit the grave here. The complex was initially established after the death of Bahouddin Naqshband and has been a place of pilgrimage for many generations. Bahouddin Naqshband's full name was Bahouddin Muhammad ibn Burhoniddin Muhammad al-Bukhori, and he lived from 1318 to 1389. He was also known by titles such as "Shohi Naqshband" and "Xojayi Buzruk." Bahouddin Naqshband is recognized as the seventh Sufi saint. The Bahouddin Naqshband Memorial Complex begins with a small domed gatehouse. In 2003, the calligrapher Habibulloh Solih inscribed the 28th verse of the Surah Ar-Ra'd (The Thunder) on the wall near the "Bobi Islom" gate, using an Arabic script known as "Nasta'liq". In the muqarnas section of the gate, the names of the master builders and the year of construction are inscribed. A rubai (quatrain) is written in "Nasta'liq" script on the entrance door of the mausoleum. The tombs within the complex have been arranged according to the command of Abdulaziz Khan and are currently well-preserved. The largest building in the complex, the khanqah (Sufi lodge), was constructed between 1544 and 1545. Inside the cells of the khanqah, you can find poetry inscribed in "Nasta'liq" script. The memorial complex also includes a minaret featuring an inscription in "Nasta'liq" script, indicating that it was built in 1885.

Site description

The architectural complex consists of several non-simultaneous constructions: Bahoutdin Architectural Complex 02

1. The most ancient is the ''dahma'' (gravestone) of Shaykh Baha-ud-Din Naqshband, riveted by marble blocks and enclosed above an openwork of marble lattice. The tomb of Shaykh Baha-ud-Din is located on the top platform, with the marble gravestone and stele. A small ''khauz'' (basin) is at the north and riveted by the marble as well. 2. The site of the complex is Saho-khona, representing a quadrangular pavilion of the type of rotunda. It is a construction with four arches, flanked on the corners by minaret-shaped turrets, which are capped by small domes. 3. At the complex, there is a mosque called Khakim Kushbegi, with a flat trabeation, supported by two columns and forming six painted plafonds. To the south adjoins iwan with five columns and the same number of painted plafonds. To the north is another iwan, also with five wooden columns, a beam ceiling, and a vassa. 4. The mosque of Muzaffarkhan is also a component of the complex, which has bricked walls. A flat-beam ceiling supported by wooden columns and iwan on the four columns with five various painted plafonds. 5. From the northern part of the mosque, the small minaret is constructed from baked brick with lanterns from eight arched towers. 6. The complex has a small

madrasah Madrasa (, also , ; Arabic: مدرسة , ), sometimes romanized as madrasah or madrassa, is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary education or higher learning ...

as well. 7. Abdul-Lazizkhan

khanqah A Sufi lodge is a building designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood or ''tariqa'' and is a place for spiritual practice and religious education. They include structures also known as ''khānaqāh'', ''zāwiya'', ''ribāṭ'' ...

is located in the northwest part of the courtyard. The composition of khanqah was constructed in the classical method, using the square plan. The entrance into the complex was from two gates, named Toki-mionka, in the form of a small arched-dome construction, and Khodja Dilyavar gate. In front of the main khanqah facade is located the

necropolis A necropolis (: necropolises, necropoles, necropoleis, necropoli) is a large, designed cemetery with elaborate tomb monuments. The name stems from the Ancient Greek ''nekropolis'' (). The term usually implies a separate burial site at a distan ...

of Dahman-Shahon (a cemetery of governors). It represents 6 rectangular platform with a height of up to 2,5 m, with the riveted walls from

marble Marble is a metamorphic rock consisting of carbonate minerals (most commonly calcite (CaCO3) or Dolomite (mineral), dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) that have recrystallized under the influence of heat and pressure. It has a crystalline texture, and is ty ...

blocks. In addition, there are 2 wells and 2 khauz (basins).

Restoration

The Bahouddin Naqshband Memorial Complex underwent restoration work in 1993, 2003, and 2010. In 2004, a Sufi museum and a scientific center were established within the complex. In 1993, on the occasion of the 675th anniversary of Bahouddin Naqshband's birth, the memorial complex was renovated. Additional buildings were added to the complex as well. In 2009, a plaque was placed in front of Bahouddin Naqshband's mausoleum.

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

World Heritage World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an treaty, international treaty administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural ...

Tentative List on 18/01/08, in the Cultural category. It was finally listed as a World Heritage Site in 2023 as part of the Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor listing.

Bibliography

* Encyclopedia of Islam. - Tashkent: "National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan" State Scientific Publishing House, 2017. * Nasafi. Hazrat Bahauddin Naqshband. - Tashkent: "Fan", 1993. * Stars of spirituality (Collector and responsible editor M. Khairullayev). - Tashkent: Publishing House of People's Heritage named after Abdulla Qadiri, 2001.

References