Sadriddin Ayni House Museum

A writer's home

For around thirty years this courtyard house on Registan Street was home to Sadriddin Ayni (1878–1954), founder of modern Tajik literature, a significant figure in Uzbek letters, a scholar and the first president of the Tajik SSR Academy of Sciences. The older part dates from the late 18th or early 19th century; Ayni and his friends added the second wing in the 1930s. The memorial museum opened on 19 May 1967, following a government decision of 16 June 1964.

Inside

In his first study beside the veranda (1923–1937) Ayni wrote the novels “Dokhunda” and “Slaves” and the novella “Death of the Moneylender”. The painted Naqshinkor room is arranged exactly as in his lifetime, down to the sandal, the low heated table where he warmed himself in winter. A later study saw the writing of his memoirs and historical novellas. On display are manuscripts, personal belongings and editions of his books in many languages; in the courtyard stand his bust and the fruit trees he planted. Ayni lived here until early May 1954, when he fell seriously ill, was taken to Dushanbe for treatment and died that summer.

Did you know?

When Timur's tomb in Gur-e-Amir was opened in June 1941, Ayni was among the scholars involved. The mausoleum is only a few minutes' walk from his front door.