Ancient and Unique Uzbekistan: The Fergana Region I

The Jome Mosque is a cathedral Friday Mosque of the Ark fortress, built at the beginning of the 18th century during the reign of Emir Subkhan Kulikhan (1680-1702). On three sides, the mosque is surrounded by a wooden iwan, which rests on a stone bench protruding along the entire length of the wall with wooden columns. The ceiling is covered with geometric and floral designs and is an interesting example of carpentry craftsmanship. It has eight entrance doors, four mihrabs, which are niches in the wall of the mosque, indicating the direction to Mecca. On the north, east and south sides of the mosque there are windows, which are decorated with wooden shutters on the inside and with clay bars on the outside. The last major renovation of the fortress was carried out during the reign of Emir Alimkhan (1910-1920). Currently, the mosque is displaying the exhibition “Written Monuments of the 17th-20th centuries”.

The Kushbegi complex. This photo is courtesy of the Head Department of Tourism and Sports of Bukhara Region of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The Kushbegi complex of buildings in Bukhara deserves special attention. The title of Kushbegi was held by the highest dignitaries, who were in charge of state affairs during the reign of the Uzbek dynasty of Mangyts in the Bukhara Emirate in 1756-1920. The word “kushbegi” is literally translated from the Turkic language as the head of the headquarters or camp.
Two-winged gates made of elm, made in 1904, lead to the courtyard of the historical complex. The gate closed from midnight to dawn. The door to the left opened onto the veranda of the courtyard, where the premises for visiting foreign embassies were located. To the right of the entrance is a baked brick bench, the so-called “sufa”. It was covered with a carpet, and on hot summer nights the attendants sometimes slept on it – “shogirdpesha”. “Shogirdpesha” is a special part of administrative employees, most often this was the name of a close servant of a high-ranking official. The premises of the courtyard housed the reception room of the kushbegi himself and his chambers.

The courtyard of the Throne Room. This photo is courtesy of the Head Department of Tourism and Sports of Bukhara Region of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The complex of buildings also includes the Throne Room, the construction of the courtyard of which dates back to the 17th century. In the back of the courtyard, there is a marble throne of the ruler, made by Nurata craftsmen in 1669. The rulers sat on it under a painted wooden canopy, mounted on carved marble columns. The ceremony of coronation of Bukhara rulers took place in the throne court. There was also a treasury located in a basement room measuring 30 x 30 m. Gold, silver, and copper coins minted at the mint of the Ark fortress were kept here.

The welcome courtyard. This photo is courtesy of the Head Department of Tourism and Sports of Bukhara Region of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan.