Ishratkhana Mausoleum

Subhadip Mukherjee

3 weeks ago

This was the last monument in my trip to Uzbekistan, when I was wrapping up my tour across Samarkand. After having lunch on the last day, I decided to check this place out as it was located within walking distance from the place where I was having lunch. Let me warn you that this place is truly in ruins, and I mean it. Unlike most of the monuments in Samarkand that have been heavily renovated, Ishratkhana Mausoleum is visible to the visitors as it is.

History Of The Ishratkhana Mausoleum

This mausoleum was built by Abu Said Mirza in 1464 when he reigned in this region between 1451 to 1469. Abu Said Mirza was the great-grandson of Timur. He died at a very young age of 45, unable to fully consolidate the empire which he was trying to achieve during his lifetime.

Historians believe that the structure was intended for Malika Havand Sultan Begum, the eldest daughter of Abu Said Mirza and Habiba Sultan Begum. A total of 23 graves were discovered by archaeologists out here.

The word “Ishrat”, when translated, means “pleasure” and “Khana” means “house”, so it’s the “Pleasure House”. The name, however, deceives the face that this is a mausoleum and is set to be the last resting place for the female members of the rulers of this region. Thus, many historians challenge the name of the building to be

Historians contradict the origin of the name of this place. While some say this was named as a pleasure house, as Timur once had a small palace out here, which had interiors that could not be compared with any other palaces that he had. While some say the word “Israt” is Arabic, which means “ten” as in “Ten Rooms”.

What To See At The Ishratkhana Mausoleum

The building is somehow standing, with most of the decorative tiles missing and sections missing altogether. The main dome, which must have been green or teal in color, is missing completely; it had collapsed during the 1903 earthquake. This dome was unique as the base of the dome originated from a long cylindrical base, a design which was very unique and not seen anywhere in Samarkand. Unfortunately, only old photographs remaining in the Russian archive show the dome and the base.

Interior walls also face the same fate, with none of the design or panels visible. There are no visible roofs at the moment, and the main central hall, as well as the two-story sections on either side, are roofless. The front gate (iwan) has some sections where the original design patterns can be made out, but the colourful tiles, which were encased with the designs, are nowhere to be seen.