The Khudoyar Khan Palace is the main attraction of Kokand. Its monumental gateway and vibrant façade, covered with colorful ceramic tiles, reflect the wealth and grandeur of the Kokand Khanate. Its walls have witnessed powerful rulers, court intrigues, revolutions, and political upheaval.

History of the Palace

Khudoyar Khan ruled the Kokand Khanate between 1845 and 1875. Yet the palace that bears his name was commissioned before he was even born. Its construction was started by Nadira, the mother of Muhammad Ali Khan, the eighth ruler of the Kokand Khanate. For unknown reasons, the project wasn’t completed at the time. Work resumed only in 1863 and the palace was completed in 1871.

Several palaces were built during Khudoyar Khan’s reign, but this one was by far the most impressive. Its monumental design was intended to demonstrate the ruler’s power and wealth. It also showcased the high level of craftsmanship achieved by local architects and decorators.

The palace, however, remained a royal residence for only a few years. In 1876, the Russian Empire abolished the Kokand Khanate, and Khudoyar Khan fled to Tashkent. He lived out his final years wandering from place to place, eventually dying in poverty.

After the establishment of Soviet rule, the palace shared the fate of many former royal residences across Central Asia. It was nationalized and turned into a museum and later into a military hospital. Much of the complex was destroyed during the revolution in 1917–1918.

Originally, the palace consisted of seven courtyards and 119 rooms. Only two courtyards and 19 rooms have survived. As a result, visitors today can see only a fraction of the original complex and will never know its full scale and magnificence.

Khudoyar Khan Palace Today

Nowadays, the palace houses the Kokand History Museum, where you can learn the history of the city and the Kokand Khanate, as well as the culture of the Fergana Valley.

Even if you’re not a history buff, the palace is worth visiting for its architecture and interior decoration. Carved wooden elements, ornate ceilings, wall paintings, and intricate ceramic patterns reveal the remarkable skill of 19th-century craftsmen.

A visit to the palace can be combined with Kokand’s other historical landmarks. It offers a glimpse into the city’s royal past and helps visitors understand what Kokand was like during the final decades of the Kokand Khanate.

Other tourist attractions near the palace:

• Kokand Mall
• Jami Mosque
• Modari Khan Mausoleum
• Museum of Great Thinkers
• Musical Drama Theater
• Gafur Gulom Regional Literature Museum
• Narbuta Bek Madrasa
• Dakhmai Shokhon Mausoleums
• Museum of Hamza Hakimzade Niyazi