Muhammad Rahim Khan II Madrasa

History

Muhammad Rahim Khan II (r. 1864–1910) was one of the last major rulers of Khiva. Writing verse under the pen name Feruz, he gathered poets, calligraphers and musicians at his court, and his reign saw a revival of literature, book production and music in Khorezm. Kamil Khorezmi and other poets wrote chronograms — verses whose letters add up to a date — for the madrasa’s completion. It is usually dated to 1871, though some sources give 1876.

Architecture

One of the largest madrasas in Khiva, it measures about 62 by 50 metres around a 28-by-29-metre courtyard with 75 cells. In front of the main façade lies an outer court, blind-walled outside and lined with small domed cells inside. Portals on all four sides of the inner courtyard are faced with majolica dominated by white and blue, with dedicatory verses above the arches.

Set into the portal niche is a marble slab carved in old Uzbek with the waqf deed listing the lands endowed to support the school — a rarity in the Islamic world, but common on Khivan buildings of the late 19th century.