Rabat Malik caravan-serai

Rabat Malik caravan-serai located on the one of the Great Silk roads linking Samarkand and Bukhara cities. Built in XI century Rabat Malik has a high archeological and historical value.

It takes a significant place among outstanding cultural monuments of Uzbekistan.

The name of serai translated as «Malik’s Palace». Travelers could stay here for overnight, make provision for food and let their baggage animal to rest.

Rabat Malik was a desert residence of the Karakhanides Dinasty (927- 1212) till XIII and served as caravan serai from XIII to XVIII centuries. Only ruins of entrance arch remained by the beginning of XX century. This arch was called by local people “Bukhara gates” or “Gates to the desert”.

Several archeological discoveries helped scientists to restore the original image of caravan-serai. The 18 meters high portal led to the square court yard. Archeologists found remains of living rooms, mosques, bath houses, utility rooms, and stables for 150 horses in this yard. It’s become obvious that ancient architects used advanced engineering ideas in building.

Sardoba Malik – a huge brick cistern, buried into the earth and covered by graded dome-   provided caravan with water. The water got to the Sardoba from Zerafshan river through the system of underground channel – kiryaz, which had a net of well on the ground. The slop – pandus- linked arch and water.