Kusamiya Madrasah

This model represents the Kusamiya Madrasa, an early educational institution in Samarkand associated with the Shah-i Zinda complex.
The madrasa was located near the shrine of Qusam ibn Abbas, a relative of the Prophet Muhammad. The sacred status of this site influenced its selection as a place of learning.
In the 12th century, under the Karakhanids, madrasas became central institutions of Islamic education, where theology, law, and language were taught.
The building followed a standard layout: a central courtyard surrounded by cells for study and residence. This plan became a model for later madrasas across the Islamic world.
The model reflects pre-Mongol architecture, characterized by restrained decoration and refined brickwork. Much of the original structure was altered after the Mongol conquest.
The madrasa contributed to the formation of the Shah-i Zinda ensemble, which later developed into one of Samarkand’s most significant memorial complexes.