RABAT-I MALIK CARAVANSERAI

Rabat-i Malik Caravanserai (Royal Rabat, Royal fortress ) was built in the 70s of the XI century, according to the order of Karakhanid Shams-al-Mulk Nasr, son of Ibragim ruled in Samarkand from 1068 until 1080 and reconstructed in the first quarter of the XII century, also By Karakhanid Arslan Khan Muhammad Ibn Sulayman.

There is a version that this building was originally the summer residence of local rulers. This is evidenced by the excavations, during which many structures were discovered intended for the life of the Palace nobility of that time, in addition, high walls and columns were built only in Khan's palaces and residences at that time.

At a later time, the structure was reconstructed and turned into a Caravanserai. In ancient times, the great silk road ran through this area, connecting the Mediterranean countries and China. The main part of the caravans passed along this route. During the time of Narshakhi, the importance of the road between Samarkand and Bukhara increased so much that it became known as the Royal road – "Shah-Rakh".

Only its portal has reached until now from the old huge caravanserai on the surface of the ground. Only a massive portal partially restored, and in the majority, completely kept volume is conserved. The caravanserai has preserved its antiquity and integrity and in such form has reached our time.

Archeologists have carefully investigated the caravanserai rests of planning structures were discovered ruins of a mosque, a gallery with a dome, a bathhouse, living quarters, and parking lots for horses and camels. Ceramics, various metal products, expensive ceramic dishes, jewelry, cauldrons, many coins and other artifacts were also found. Special attention should be paid to the decor and construction techniques. In many places, it is different and differs in styles and methods of creation. At different times, ceramics, clay, and wood were used in construction.

The history of construction in Central Asia in the 11-12 centuries was associated with the gradual disappearance of ancient building materials (pakhsa, raw bricks), characteristic of Central Asia, replaced it with more durable baked bricks, which resulted in new technical capabilities, more advanced engineering structures and architectural forms.

The fortress was a rectangular structure with a side of 100 meters, at the corners of which there were towers of more than 15 meters. The dilapidated walls of the main facade of Rabat-I Malik were completed by two poorly preserved decorative belts, the geometric pattern of which was laid out of square burnt bricks. There was only one entrance to the fortification – through the preserved southern portal. The portal of caravanserai - one of the most ancient place in the territory of the Central Asia portals - peshtak with the central lancet arch of niche in which there is a rectangular doorway, behind the portal there is a gallery isolated from the household premises located in the southern part (servants ' quarters, stables, kitchens, then the gallery leads to an octagonal rotunda, the arches in which, like the entire gallery, were decorated with carved ganch. From the rotunda that served as the central hall, passages b lead to the Northern residential part of the complex.

In front of the entrance to the Northern gallery, there was a small rectangular mosque (11.2 x 4.60 m). The mosque was located almost in the center of the Rabat-I Malik fortress, the function of the room was miraculously identified by the remains of a mihrab in the Western wall and the remains of a small Minbar. Fragments of decoration found in the rubble on the floor of the mosque show that the interior of the mosque was covered with carved ganch, with a remains of light yellow ochre. Guldasta towers were on all four corners of Rabat and Malik, as shown by excavations and old photographs. The longest - preserved South-Western tower (5.5 m in diameter at the base) was built with a spiral staircase inside, and was traditionally completed with a dome with through arches on the sides. Under the dome itself was a row of brick stalactites and a decorative ribbon of carved terracotta with an Arabic inscription in the kufic style. In the middle ages the towers of minarets played an important role. The front of the building was always decorated with minarets at the corners. The towers of the city mosques or madrassas sometimes served as a minaret for calling to prayer, the towers of the steppe fortresses served as watch and observation towers. None of the towers of this fortress has ever been a minaret for calling to prayer, as some researchers believed. The first autopsies showed that the Rabat-I Malik fortress was a large structure with a multi-courtyard planning structure and has nothing in common with the well-known caravanserais of Central Asia. The object Rabat-I Malik in full accordance with the name "Royal fortress" was unique, complex in architectural design and luxurious in the design of the walls. Everything corresponded to the fact that there was a comfortable residence for representatives of the Karakhanids, but not a caravanserai.

Only centuries later, after the Karakhanid dynasty lost its rule in the early 13th century, and Tatar-Mongol hordes swept through the lands of Central Asia with all the consequences of foreign conquest, this well-equipped "Royal fortress" first ceased to be a dynastic residence, and then gradually became a roadside caravanserai that stood on the main road Samarkand – Bukhara.

During its existence, the monument has gone through two major construction periods with complete reconstruction of parts of the fortress and many minor repairs. Until now, scientists can not accurately determine the purpose of this building. But the fact remains that recently Rabat-I Malik was used as a caravanserai. This unexpected discovery of a completely independent object on the territory of Rabat-I Malik, allowed us to explore one of the earliest baths in Central Asia. Baths were not known in the roadside caravanserais of Central Asia (although these services were extremely necessary in hot climates; perhaps roadside caravanserais are not yet sufficiently studied. Public baths, as a rule, were located near city caravanserais, near bazaars and served the entire population. This is another argument, in addition to the main one – completely unusual for caravanserais, in favor of the fact that Rabat - I Malik was built (or rebuilt in the XI century, as a steppe residence of the Karakhanids, where maximum comfort was created for its time. The bathhouse has been preserved at the base of the walls to a total height of about 1.5 m, mainly in the underground part with a heating system. There was a bathhouse throughout the entire period of operation of Rabat-I Malik from the 11th to the 18th century, it went through several alterations and repairs that affected not only the upper rooms, but also the heating system. Also, the mandatory containers for hot and cold water baths, which were usually located in the interiors, were not preserved. The water supply system that supplied the bathhouse with water has not yet been found. Apparently, the system of underground “qanats” came from Sardoba, located opposite the main facade of Rabat Malik.

This is the second monument of history and culture of the same era – a structure of the XI-XIV centuries – a domed Sardoba – a semi-subterranean reservoir with water, the main source of water at all stages of the existence of the "Royal fortress". The domed Sardoba was filled by the water of Zerafshan river through the Narpay canal and the “qanats” - underground tunnel systems that bring infiltrated groundwater, they have been used for irrigation and drinking water for centuries in different countries.

Sardoba was recently restored. Technically, the sardoba is a reservoir 13 meters deep, covered with a dome 12 meters in diameter. At the base of the dome there are three light windows. The entrance is decorated with a rectangular portal, in which there is a brick descent. At the moment, the water inside the reservoir is not suitable for drinking.

METHODICAL RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. The guide should inform the group advance about walking tour, as well as about the safety of staying on the territory of the complex, due to the large traffic and the real danger of an accident at the central highway nearby.

2. Take your group closer to the entrance, show the architectural style of the structure, and take them inside.

3. Show the location of the premises as much as possible and give a description, recreate the picture of the building of that time.

4. Take the group to the place of Sardoba, show the structure when you standing outdoor and tell the group about an opportunity to go down.

5. Inform the group that the water in Sardoba is not suitable for drinking.

6. Tourists are given at least 10-15 minutes for independent inspection and photography.

Compiled and translated by: Azarenko E., a guide of the first category.

Tourism development institute under the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development

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