The history of the madrasah
The Kukeldash madrasah, one of the largest in Central Asia, is located in the Labi-Hauz architectural ensemble (16th -17th cc.). The madrasah was built during the reign of Abdullakhan of the Sheibanid dynasty. With its 160 hudjras (dwelling cells), the madrasah has very interesting composition. Its external walls have open balconies and beautiful ornamentation.
Sadriddin Ayni, the great writer and educator, lived and studied in this madrasah.

The history of the museum
The memorial museum, placed in the Kukeldash madrasa, is devoted to the lives of Sadriddin Ayni (1878-1954) and Jalol Ikromi (1909-1989), the outstanding classical writers of the Uzbek and Tajik literature.

In the beginning of the 20th century, Bukhara was a center of the Jadid movement (Jadid from Arabic means 'new'). This historical movement created many talented writers and poets, including Sadriddin Ayni and Jalol Ikromi. In comparison with the previous literary trends, two scholars' works came to highlight enlightening issues. They advocated secular education and liberation of spiritual sphere. In Ayni's poetic and prosaic legacy, one could see further development of the traditions of both classical and Jadid literature in the Uzbek and Tajik languages.
His works such as "Odina," "The Money-Lender's Death," "The Slaves," "Dakhunda," and "The Memories" are the great achievements of the Uzbek and Tajik literature.

The Kukeldash madrasa, Labi-Haus.