Varakhsha
Varakhsha Palace · Varahsha · Varahsha Bukhara Palace
Sogdian–Hephthalite 4th–8th c CE (Bukhara Khudats)·Sogdian Bukhara (Zeravshan oasis) → Early Islamic·🇺🇿 Bukhara Province, Jandar District, Varakhsha oasis 40 km west of Bukhara (ancient Bukhara oasis, Zeravshan lower), Uzbekistan
About
About Varakhsha
Varakhsha — palace-city of Bukhara Khudats (4th–8th c CE) 40 km west Bukhara, excavated 1937–58 Shishkin and Tolstov. Varakhsha was the Bukhara princes' favourite residence per Narshakhi History of Bukhara, with 300×300 m citadel, wall paintings palace (Red Hall with 8-m griffin and elephant, Blue Hall with hunting scene), fire temple, and barash (garden). Sogdian–Hephthalite–Turk mural school distinct from Penjikent. Chinese chronicles Wu-na kingdom? Destroyed by Arab Qutayba 709. UNESCO Silk Roads Bukhara component.
Why it mattersOnly Bukhara Khudat palace-city with Red/Blue Hall griffin frescoes — Bukhara Sogdian type-site
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Griffin vs Sasanian Simurgh iconography?
Theories
- 01Varakhsha as Bukhara summer capital per Narshakhi
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.4th c CE Bukhara Khudat palace foundation; apogee 7th–8th c
- Period
- Sogdian–Hephthalite 4th–8th c CE (Bukhara Khudats)
- Culture
- Sogdian Bukhara (Zeravshan oasis) → Early Islamic
- Builders
- Bukhara Khudats (Bukharan kings) and Sogdian fresco painters
- Purpose
- Bukhara oasis palace-city controlling Zeravshan lower delta and Sogdian garden estate
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
4th c CE
Bukhara Khudat palace founded
7th c
Red Hall griffin and Blue Hall hunting frescoes
709
Qutayba conquest destruction
1937–58
Shishkin excavations reveal frescoes
On the ground
Structures & features
40.0800° N · 64.0000° E · 210 m · 2 mapped features
Red Hall with Griffin and Elephant Murals
hallPalace Red Hall with 8-m winged griffin and elephant fresco west
40.0810° N · 63.9992° EBlue Hall Hunting Scene and Fire Temple
hallBlue Hall hunting fresco and Zoroastrian fire temple east
40.0785° N · 64.0011° E
Gallery