Architectural Policy and the Urban Transformation of Bukhara During the Reign of Abdullah Khan Ii

The reign of Abdullah Khan II occupies a significant place in the political, cultural, and architectural history of Central Asia. During the second half of the sixteenth century, the ruler succeeded not only in restoring the political unity of the Shaybanid state but also in transforming Bukhara into one of the major Islamic, scientific, and urban centers of the region. This article analyzes the role of Abdullah Khan II in the architectural development of Bukhara and examines the relationship between political centralization and urban construction during his reign. The study is based on historical-comparative, chronological, and source-analytical methods. Primary and secondary historical sources, including chronicles, historiographical works, and modern scholarly studies, were comparatively examined. The research demonstrates that the architectural policy of Abdullah Khan II served not only aesthetic or religious purposes but also functioned as an instrument of political legitimacy and economic consolidation. Large-scale construction projects, including madrasas, trade domes, bridges, caravanserais, and religious complexes, significantly reshaped the urban appearance of Bukhara and strengthened its role as the capital of the Shaybanid state. The article concludes that Abdullah Khan II continued the urban traditions of earlier Central Asian dynasties while simultaneously creating a distinct model of Shaybanid architectural patronage that contributed to the long-term cultural prestige of Bukhara.