​  ​Archaeological excavations have shown that the building served two distinct functions during its existence. In the first phase, it operated as a bathhouse. The uncovered structure measures 19×23 meters and consists of a cruciform central hall surrounded by five adjoining rooms and an entrance corridor. 
   The heating system was of the classical hypocaust type. The hypocaust began from the furnace room, passed through the steam chamber, and extended into the central hall. Vertical smoke shafts were built into the walls of the central hall’s niches, allowing smoke to exit and helping regulate indoor temperature. The structure was built in the second half of the 13th century and functioned until the second half of the 14th century. 
  In the second half of the 14th century, the building underwent a major reconstruction. Its internal layout was completely redesigned, and it was converted into a khanaka (a Sufi lodge). 
   At the beginning of the 14th century, Sufism became increasingly influential in the Muslim world and began to play an important social and political role in Central Asia. Sufi orders (tariqats) and their leaders gained growing influence over rulers. Consequently, from the 14th century onward, khanakas began to be constructed in cities to serve the needs of Sufi communities. 
  A distinctive feature of these khanakas was the absence of residential quarters for dervishes; they contained only rooms for spiritual gatherings (zikr sessions) and prayers, and employed only a limited number of attendants. 
  To convert the old, decommissioned bathhouse into a khanaka, modifications were made to its plan and new rooms typical of khanaka architecture were added. 
  The first was the zikrkhana — a room where Sufis gathered to perform zikr (spiritual chanting) and conduct daily prayers. 
  The second was the chilakhana — rooms used by Sufis for 40-day spiritual retreats devoted to worship and contemplation.