Palace of Khudoyar Khan: the pearl of Kokand
Description:
The pearl of Kokand is the palace of the last ruler of Kokand Khanate, Khudoyar Khan - Urda. The magnificent palace complex, built in 1871, is stunning in grandeur. The palace building is built in the traditions of Central Asian architecture with a high portal in the middle, decorated with a large entrance arch and four minarets: two of them stand on both sides of the portal, two finish the facade from the south and north.
The palace of Khudoyar Khan, surrounded by a carved stone fence, consisted of seven small courtyards and 119 rooms. The total area of the palace is 4 hectares, its foundation is raised by three meters. Above the main gate was inscribed the Arabic inscription: “Great Sayyid Muhammad Khudoyar Khan”. 16 thousand people, 80 masters and 1000 arbs worked on the construction. People were forced here. They had to work in unbearably difficult conditions, fines were imposed for the slightest offense, and corporal punishment was applied. But the efforts of poor builders were not in vain. The palace of Khudoyar Khan turned out magnificent. It still amazes with its wealth and splendor of decoration. The building of the facade literally blinds visitors with colorful colors and richness of ornaments: geometric patterns, arabesques, plant motifs - all this is made of ceramic tiles. The patterns that fill the niches represent non-repeating compositions. The color scheme of the facade is very bright and colorful, which gives it a resemblance to the palace from oriental fairy tales.