Registan Ensemble

Mirzo Ulugbek Madrasah

Compounding Registan square began with the order of Mirzo Ulugbek to built madrassah. Madrassah was built in 1417-1420 and its yard is about 81 by 56 m field. The designer of this madrassah was Kavomiddin Sheroziy who was a famous scientist at that time, several architectural ensembles that were built for the rulers of Khirat belonged to his creative works. Ulugbek Madrassah is outstanding example of the ancient monuments of the East as the architecture work. Only Ulugbek madrassah from all buildings that were built in XV century arrived till now, even it is a little bit destructed. The madrassah is two storey and there are 55 hujras (room) and large classrooms at four corners and iwans. 2-3 students lived and studied in the special hujras (rooms). Every room had three types of functions (to study, to live, to keep necessary things).

Subject work-outs were held for particular groups in the classrooms. The mosque was located between two classrooms were at the western part. It had two doors which they served to connect the classroom and the yard.

Madrassah has high portal. Its side walls were decorated with large geometric patterns. In general, the madrassa has rich patterns and bricks and the patterns of marble carving. This gave attractive look to the madrassah.

Multifarious, five-finger images and ayahs of Koran that were written with (suls script) in the pattern reports about MirzoUlugbek’s wise. High minarets in the four corners of the madrassah make the building so attractive and personable.

This madrassah that was built by order of Mirzo Ulugbek was an institute of higher education that had all opportunities, was the first educational establishment in the East. And also, it was well-known as Mirzo Ulugbek’s Academy all over the world. In order to prove our opinion it is enough to give european famous writer, philosopher and historian scientist Wolter’s following thought: “MirzoUlugbek who was throned after the Great Temur in Transaksoniya established the first academy in Samarkand. He participated in composing the astronomical tables”.

Mirzo Ulugbek taught over several scientists (scholars) in this academy. Famous Samarkand Observatory became the learning secrets of universe centre for masters and apprentices. In addition, madrassahs in Bukhara Gijduvan were the branches of academy in the capital.

On the second floor of an entrance, portal madrassah there was an extensive library in which books collected by Amir Temur and its successors were stored. Here all conditions for activity of scientists and teachers madrassah have been created. Mirzo Ulugbek personally talked to each of scientists and having convinced of perfection of its knowledge supposed to teaching activity. From known scientists of that time here taught such as: Mavlyano Muhammad Havofy, Kazizada Rumy, Giyasiddin Dzhamshed, Muiniddin Koshy and others. Along with other scientists here taught various disciplines as both Ulugbek, and its pupil Ali Kushchi.

The most outstanding scientific achievements of Ulugbek and its colleagues - definition of a shine of an arch of one degree, led to the algebraic equation of the third degree. Definition of coordinates of many settlements, drawing up of perfect star tables into which 1018 stars have entered, definition with split-hair accuracy of duration of solar year – 365 days, 6 hours, 10 minutes and 8 seconds, (a difference with the modern data of 58 seconds), declination ecliptic concerning the Earth and definition of an orbit of 5 planets. As a result, Samarkand has turned to the centre of studying of the exact sciences.

Training in madrassah proceeded in three stages: the first – «ando» or «a small step» - the initial stage. The second stage is «avsat» or "average", the third – «a’lo» i.e. the "higher" stage. In time pupils studied at each stage on 4 – 5 years. For good study received the grant. As a reminder by the pupil about their debt, over an input in each cell has been established a mosaic panels with khadis – saying of Prophet Mohammed «the Debt of everyone devout – aspiration to knowledge» or «From a cradle to a tomb aspire to knowledge». "Sanad" - the diploma was handed over to graduates after the termination of study. Training in madrassah was free and was carried out at the expense of incomes from vakhf.