The square was built on the site of a former bazaar. In Soviet times, it was one of the most popular vacation spots for the townspeople. The square was named after Emir Shokhrukh, Timur's grandson, who ruled a vast empire with Samarkand as its capital.
My wife and I were sitting on a bench at 1:30 a.m. at the steps to the Registan, enjoying the atmosphere. Then the police came and started kicking them out in Uzbek, waving their hands, saying leave, you can't sit here. We didn't understand anything, but we didn't argue and left. Then the police went to other people and started kicking them out too.