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IN THE BUKHARA KHANATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DOR USH SHIFA
(HOSPITAL) BY SUBHONQULIKHAN
Bahronova Durnigor G’ayrat kizi
1
st
year student of Samarkand State Medical Universit
e-mail:
Scientific supervisor:
Beknazarov Javoxir Azimjon ugli
Teacher of Samarkand State Medical University
e-mail:
javohir_beknazaroov.mail.ru.
Annostatsiya
:Maqolada Buxoro xonligining ashtarxoniy hukmdori Subhonqulixonning
tabobatga doir ilmiy faoliyatining mohiyati ochib berilgan. Subhonqulixonning tibbiyot
sohasidagi islohotlari, zamon hakimlari bilan munosabatlari haqida atroflicha to’xtalib o’tilgan.
Shuningdek, Dor ush-shifoning tashkil etilishi va tuzilishi, o’sha zamondagi va hozirgi ahamiyati
batafsil yoritib berilgan.
Kalit so‘zlar:
Subhonqulixon, tibbiyot rivoji, madrasa tuzilishi, Subhoniy tibbiyoti, Dor ush-
shifo
Annotation:
The article reveals the essence of the scientific activity of the Ashtarkhanid ruler of
the Bukhara Khanate, Subhanqulikhan. Subhanqulikhan’s reforms in the field of medicine and
his relations with the rulers of the time have been discussed in detail. Also, the organization and
structure of Dor ush-shifa it’s importance at that time and now are explained in detail.
Key words:
Subkhanqulikhan, medical development, madrasa structure, Subkhani medicine,
Dor ush-shifa.
Аннотация
:в статье раскрывается сущность научной деятельности аштарханского
правителя Бухарского ханства Субханкулихана. Подробно рассмотрены реформы
Субханкулихана в области медицины и его отношения с правителями того времени. Также
подробно объясняется организация и структура Дор уш-шифа, ее значение в то время и
сейчас.
Ключ слова:
Субханкулихан, медицинского развитие, структура медресе, медицина
Субхани, Дор уш-шифа.
The earliest written records regarding the medicine of the ancient peoples who lived within the
territory of our country are still acknowledged. The work *The Canon of Medicine* by the great
scholar Abu Ali ibn Sina, known as Avicenna in the West and “Shaykh ur-Rais’’ (Leader of the
Wise) in the East, was used as a textbook in European universities for several centuries. In
ancient times, there were medicinal centers similar to modern healthcare institutions in the
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
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Journal:
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page 354
territory of Uzbekistan. Amir Timur brought famous physicians from other countries to the
capital, Samarkand, and established specialized hospitals. In the regions of Mawarannahr and
Khurasan, separate buildings were constructed for hospitals. During the era of the later Timurid
rulers, significant attention was also given to the establishment of hospitals, with prominent
figures like Alisher Navoi playing an important role in this regard. The medical field continued
to advance during the Shaybanid and Ashtarkhanoid dynasties. A striking example of this
progress is the contribution of Subhonqulixon to medicine.
Subhonqulixon (1681–1702), among the Ashtarkhanoid rulers, stood out for his enlightened
approach, engagement with scientific activities, and patronage of those involved in scholarship.
Historical records suggest that during his reign, there were significant advancements in science.
Subhonqulixon was an intellectual ruler with knowledge in fields such as medicine, astronomy,
and poetry. He was well-versed in the medical sciences and authored works related to medicine.
Specifically, he wrote two notable medical treatises. Subhanquli khan himself was the author of
several works on medicine and astrology. He had knowledge in medicine and was engaged in
healing himself. His work on medicine "Subkhankuli's revival of medicine" ("Ihya at-tibb
Subhani") was written in the Central Asian Turkic language and is devoted to the description of
diseases, their recognition and treatment. One of the manuscript lists is kept in the library in
Budapest.
The first was written in Turkish (Uzbek) and was titled “Tibbi Subhoni”
(The Medicine of
Subhon). This work provides detailed information on the diagnosis and treatment of various
diseases. Subhonqulixon’s work was so significant that it served as an essential reference for
medical practitioners of that time. His second work, “Subhon’s Life-Giving Medicine”, is
divided into eight sections. This work is also considered one of the key texts in the field of
medicine. In this treatise, each section discusses the proper preparation and use of medicines.
Additionally, it covers the beneficial plants for human health. Both of these works are considered
exemplary medical texts of their time, as they are intricately linked. The first discusses the
causes and treatment methods for diseases, while the second focuses on medicinal plants and the
medicines derived from them.
In writing these works, Subhonqulixon paid close attention not only to their content but also to
the language in which they were written. He stated, “The physicians of the past left behind works
written in Arabic and Persian; I have not come across any medical book written in Turkish
(Uzbek). The local population cannot utilize books written in Arabic and Persian. Therefore, I
wrote my books in Turkish (Uzbek) so that our people could benefit from them.”
This clearly demonstrates that Subhonqulixon’s medical works were significant not only for their
scientific value but also for being written in a language that was understandable to the people of
that time, marking a major step in the development of medical literature in the Turkish language.
In his book “The Ashtarkhanoid Rulers of the Bukhara Khanate”, Akbar Zamonov provides
information about Subhonqulixon’s practical methods for treating people. Specifically, he
mentions a decree issued by Subhonqulixon to prevent summer dysentery: "Subhonqulixon
issued a decree that, in all areas of the khanate, bakers were to sprinkle sesame seeds on the
surface of bread during the summer season. This measure significantly reduced the incidence of
summer dysentery, as sesame has the property of stopping diarrhea and is aromatic. This practice,
1
A Turkic Medical Treatise from Islamic Central Asia: A Critical Edition of a Seventeenth-Century Chagatay Work
by Subḥān Qulï Khan. Edited, Translated and Annotated by László KÁROLY. Brill’s Inner Asian Library. Volume
32. Editors: Michael DROMPP; Devin DEWEESE; Mark C. ELLIOTT. Leiden. 2015
2
Burton Audrey. The Bukharans. A dynastic, diplomatic and commercial history 1550−1702. Curzon, 1997. 361-p
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ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
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Journal:
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page 355
initiated by the khan’s decree, became a tradition, and even today, local bakers sprinkle sesame
seeds on the surface of the bread."
Subhonqulixon paid special attention to the development of medical knowledge and the
cultivation of highly skilled physicians in the country. There are records indicating that he
personally supervised efforts to improve public health, reduce diseases, and prevent the spread of
infectious diseases. Additionally, during Subhonqulixon's reign, special hospitals were
established to ensure proper healthcare for the population.
In the book “History of Uzbekistan's Culture” by Usmon Qoraboyev and G’ayrat Soatov, it is
mentioned that in 1697, Subhonqulixon ordered the construction of a two-story madrasa-hospital
called “Dor ush-shifo” in Bukhara for the treatment of various diseases. Unfortunately, this
madrasa has not survived to the present day. The “Dor ush-shifo” madrasa was built in 1697,
located in front of the Bukhara Registan, during the rule of Subhonqulixon, an Ashtarkhanoid
ruler of the Bukhara Khanate.
This madrasa was situated in front of the Bukhara Ark. The researcher Abdusattor Jumanazarov
has studied a number of waqf (endowment) documents related to this madrasa and provided
details about it. According to the waqf documents, the madrasa was constructed with solid bricks.
It featured a dome, corridors, classrooms where medical sciences were taught, as well as both an
internal and external courtyard, a summer mosque, and classrooms. The madrasa was located on
the western side of the street, with a waqf land and the residence of Khoja Baqo ibn Mulla
Ibodulla to the north, the Ark fortress to the east, and the Ark irrigation canal to the south. The
madrasa was situated in the street of Jilovkhona.
The “Dor ush-shifo” madrasa also had a special school for children, where primarily young
students were educated. Before the Soviet Revolution, Mulla Abdurahmon Tamkin Bukhari
served as a teacher (mudarris) at this madrasa. Other prominent teachers at the madrasa included
Mulla Abdurahim, Mulla Ahmadxoja, and Mulla Shamsiddin, who also taught at the institution.
Additionally, waqf (endowment) documents related to the madrasa provide information about
the students who studied there. These documents shed light on the structure and educational
activities of the madrasa, highlighting its role in the education of future generations
Sadri Ziyo
recorded that the “Dor ush-shifo” madrasa had 15 rooms (hujras).
The Dor ush-shifo madrasa
consisted of 18 rooms (hujras) and was built in the style of Central Asian architecture. It was
constructed using solid bricks, wood, stone, and clay. On the right side of the Bukhara Ark, a
portion of the "Madrasayi Dor ush-shifo" building is still visible. This large medical center,
known as the "Shifo Maskani" (Healing Center), was led by the renowned physician of the time,
Mir Sayid Sharif Sheroziy. During this period, other famous physicians, including Mansur ibn
Muhammad, Mavlono Fayzulloh Tabriziy, and Hisobiddin Ibrohim Kirmoniy, were also active
in Samarkand.
The physicians working in these hospitals were paid high salaries, which, by special decree from
the ruler, were equal to those of scholars, astronomers, historians, and engineers. This highlights
the significant value placed on medical professionals during that time.
3
Akbar Zamonov, Farrux Subxonov, Buxoro xonliginng Ashtarxoniy hukmdorlari. Toshkent: 2021. 88-p
4
Rahmatova S, Qurbonov H. Buxoro guzarlari tarixidan lavhalar. Buxoro -1995 144-p.
5
Abdusattor Jumanazar. Buxoro ta’lim tizimi tarixi. Toshkent -Akademnashr, 2017 592-p
6
Muhammad Ali Baljuvoniy. Tarixi Nofeyi (useful history ). Toshkent -Akademiya, 2001. 122-p.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 03,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 356
REFERENCES:
1.Akbar Zamonov, Farrux Subxonov, Buxoro xonliginng Ashtarxoniy hukmdorlari. Toshkent-
2021, [Akbar Zamonov, Farrukh Subkhonov, The Ashtarkhanoid Rulers of the Bukhara Khanate.
Tashkent-2021].
2. Rahmatova S, Qurbonov H. Buxoro guzarlari tarixidan lavhalar. Buxoro:Buxoro nashriyoti,
1995. [Rahmatova S., Qurbonov H., Snapshots from the History of the Bukhara Streets. Bukhara:
Bukhara Publishing, 1995.]
3. Abdusattor Jumanazar. Buxoro ta’lim tizimi tarixi. Toshkent: Akademnashr, 2017.
[Abdusattor Jumanazar, History of the Bukhara Education System. Tashkent: Akademnashr,
2017.]
4. Muhammad Ali Baljuvoniy. Tarixi Nofeyi (Foydali tarix). Toshkent:Akademiya nashriyoti,
2001. [Muhammad Ali Baljuvoni, Tarixi Nofeyi (The Useful History). Tashkent: Akademiya
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5. A Turkic Medical Treatise from Islamic Central Asia: A Critical Edition of a Seventeenth-
Century Chagatay Work by Subḥān Qulï Khan. Edited, Translated and Annotated by László
KÁROLY. Brill’s Inner Asian Library. Volume 32. Editors: Michael DROMPP; Devin
DEWEESE; Mark C. ELLIOTT. Leiden. 2015
6. Burton Audrey. The Bukharans. A dynastic, diplomatic and commercial history 1550−1702.
— Curzon, 1997
