A fascinating structure in Kokand, located in the Fergana Valley, is the Khudoyar Khan Palace called Urda. It is a very unusual attraction with extremely diverse decorations. It is so common in the East that every ruler seeks to immortalize his name in architecture. It was also the case with Khudoyar Khan Palace.
Of the 29 rulers of Kokand, Khudoyar was the most significant and famous, becoming a Khan at the age of twelve. Four times he lost his status and power, but each time he returned to the throne. However, it is not only because of this that Khudoyar became famous. By his order, a palace was built in 1871, which was the seventh in the Khanate. But it was built, according to all Eastern traditions, higher, more grandiose, and more expensive than all previous ones.
The building was placed on a three-meter pedestal, had an area of 4 hectares, and a long ramp instead of steps leading to the palace entrance. The building was richly decorated. Guns at the entrance, massive towers on both sides, and a minaret. Carved wooden doors closed the entrance, and above them, there was an inscription from colored ceramics: “Great Said Muhammad Khudoyar Khan”.
The inner part of the palace consisted of seven courtyards with many buildings. In total, there were 119 rooms decorated with carved gypsum, ceramics, paintings, and gold. A huge number of craftsmen from different regions worked on this masterpiece. Architect Mir Ubaidullo headed the construction.
This landmark used to have the premises where the treasury, court, and depository were located. But the reception and throne room were decorated with unique taste. The restrooms of Khudoyar Khan and the rooms of his four wives, four sons, and two daughters were also richly decorated. A huge number of servants and workers lived in the palace, for whom separate small rooms were constructed.
Due to the unrest and riots, Khudoyar Khan had to leave the palace, which was later looted, and to this day, there are only a few buildings survived that form two courtyards. Nowadays, the local history museum is situated within the walls of the majestic palace, which stores only fragments of the great history, which can tell us a lot about the Khan’s life at that time. And the looted property of the palace is now dispersed to various major museums around the world. For example, the throne of Khudoyar Khan is exhibited in the Hermitage of St. Petersburg.
Canaan Travel invites you to visit Uzbekistan, the land of legends and ancient history. We will prepare a unique route for you; the journey which will reveal the wonders of the East.