Turabek Khanum Mausoleum

Last crawled date: 2 years, 11 months ago

The so-called Turabek Khanum Mausoleum is an architectural masterpiece that in a restored state would easily rival the later mausoleums of Samarkand. It was built just to the north-west of the centre of the Golden Horde city during the 14th century, most probably around 1370 although one source has suggested the 1320's, which seems unlikely. There are numerous theories concerning its origins and purpose, none of which can be supported by hard evidence. It is generally linked to Turabek Khanum, the wife of the Golden Horde ruler of Khorezm Qutlugh Timur (ruled 1321-33), who was appointed by Sultan Uzbek. Amir Qutlugh Timur was the son of Uzbek's maternal aunt. If it had been sponsored by Turabeg Khanum it is surprising that the building was omitted from the architectural highlights described by ibn Battuta. The most likely hypothesis is that the building was a mausoleum for the somewhat later and short-lived dynasty of Qon'ırat Sufi Khorezmshahs, which began with the enthronement of Aq Sufi Khan in 1359. One suggestion is that it contained the tomb of the Khorezmshah Husayn Muhammad Giyath ad-Din Sufi (1361-1372), who enraged Timur (Tamburlaine) by annexing the Chagatai territory of Kath and right bank Khorezm. He died during the resulting siege of Urgench. source - http://karakalpak.com/ancgurganj.html] #chapel #Islam #mausoleum #monument #mosque #Polska #Turkmenistan #Türkmenistan #UNESCO #Туркмения