Uzbekistan: Kokand – Palace of Khudayar Khan
Much of Fergana Valley was ruled by powerful Kokand Khanate from 1709–1876. The capital was in the city of Kokand, where the palace of the last ruler of the khanate, Khudayar Khan, is located in the heart of the city. The palace was built in 1871 and over-the-top richly decorated with colorful mosaics, ornate gates and ceilings. High walls with towers and minarets surround the inner palace that has 7 courtyards and 113 rooms. 16 thousand enslaved construction workers and hundreds of master-builders toiled on creating this masterpiece.
