Shirgazi-khan Madrassah is the oldest in Khiva. It is located to the south of Pahlavan-Mahmud Mausoleum. It was constructed in 1718-1720 after the successful military campaign of Shirgazi-khan (1715-1728) to Khurasan. Since the madrassah is located in the break of an ancient city wall, its floor is two meters lower than the floor of Pahlavan-Mahmud Mausoleum. The domed building of Shirgazi-khan mausoleum adjoins the madrassah on the west.
The madrassah is famous for the outstanding poet Mahtumkuli who studied there in the middle of 18th century. His poetic lines “the golden book was opened to me here. Forgive me, I am leaving, dear Shirgazi” were devoted to the madrassah.
The buildings of Korikhona adjoin the cemetery of Pahlavan-Mahmud necropolis. These are medieval hostels for Koran readers. The facades of four korikhona, together with the Akub-bai-khodja Madrassah, form an architectural line oriented to the west.
They were constructed in the 19th century and later were used as a home for the blind. That’s why the external walls have no windows.
