The steppe love legend of Aisha Bibi and Karakhan. The steppe legend of love between Aisha Bibi and Karakhan. For what purpose was the mausoleum of Karakhan erected?

At the grave of Sha-Makhdud Bughra Karakhan, who established power in the great Karakhanid state in the 10th-12th centuries, a mausoleum to Saint Karakhan was erected, which is part of the “Monuments of Ancient Taraz” museum-reserve.

It is also called the Aulie-ata mausoleum. Legends and stories about Saint Karakhan, passed down from generation to generation, have survived to this day.

Truth intertwined with legend

In his youth, Karakhan was in love with a beauty named Aisha, the daughter of his sworn enemy. One day, not hoping to receive the blessing of the girl’s father, batyr Karakhan burst into the village, grabbed his beloved and rushed away. The girl's father sent his guards after them and ordered them to be killed.

The lovers ran for a long time to escape pursuit. Tired of several days of continuous racing, the girl decided to swim in the Asu River, on the banks of which they stopped to rest. But their father’s guards waylaid them here too. They put a small steppe viper in the girl's headdress - saukele. Aisha Bibi lost consciousness, and it was clear from everything that she was dying. Then Batyr Karakhan picked her up and carried her to the nearest village to the mullah so that he would bless them. Their family happiness lasted only a few minutes. Aisha died in the arms of the hero. At that same hour and day Karakhan vowed to love her forever. Next to the mausoleum, Karakhan built a mazar for himself so that after death he could be with his beloved.

The Mausoleum of Karakhan, located in the city of Taraz, is one of the finest examples of architecture. During the construction of this building, bricks decorated with 60 different patterns were used with special skill. Almost square in plan, the mausoleum consists of a central hall where the tombstone is located and three small corner rooms-hujras.

By the middle of the 20th century, only a wall with a pointed arched entrance and two columns remained from the Karakhan mausoleum. The construction of the mausoleum in 1906 was re-erected on the site of the medieval mausoleum. And in 1979, a new complex reconstruction of the mausoleum was carried out.

Mausoleum of Karakhan

Karakhan, who subjugated the lion

At one time, Karakhan was considered a particularly wise and powerful ruler. His fame resounded throughout the land. But, despite his enormous wealth, he preferred to live modestly.

He subjugated the king of beasts himself - the lion, who carried out all his commands. They say that Karakhan saddled a lion like a horse, and even rode it at a small trot.

However, Karakhan could not contradict his wife. It seemed that the obstinate wife of the great ruler did not obey him at all. The viziers of Karakhan were surprised at this: “When the whole world and even the lion itself bowed before you, how can your wife object to you?” they asked.

Karakhan responded like this: “I thank the Lord a thousand times that my wife has such a character. When the whole world bowed its head before me, would I not consider myself superior to others, deceived by the tricks of the devil, falling into the trap of my pride? Thanks to my wife, I always remember that I am only one of the slaves of Allah. And this allows me to always remain humble before the Almighty.”

The original of this legend is described in the book “Golden Silsila”.

If the spirits are not happy...

The epic “Alpamys Batyr” describes the story of the childless bai Baybori, who, together with his baibishe, goes around holy places to ask God for an heir. Finally, the couple gives birth to a long-awaited son, who is named Alpamys.

Walking around holy places is an ancient tradition of beliefs of the Kazakh people. But today there are people who bypass mausoleums and burials, believing that this equates spirits with God.

In this regard, a resident of the city of Taraz, a young married woman named Aigul, told us her story: “On our wedding day, we traditionally walked through the picturesque places of the city. Our wedding cortege arrived at the Karakhan mausoleum. We were met by the caretaker of the mausoleum and invited inside to read the Koran to Saint Karakhan. “No, thank you, we don’t equate spirits with God,” my husband said. Thus, after examining the outer part of the mausoleum, we returned back. Our family life began. But for more than 5 years we did not have a child. We visited the doors of hospitals and visited all the doctors. In the end they completely despaired. But one young married woman, who had not had children for 10 years, told us that she experienced maternal happiness after visiting the Karakhan mausoleum and dedicating the Koran to the spirit of Saint Aulie ata. I told this story to my husband. Together we visited the Karakhan mausoleum, read the Koran and asked for God's mercy. After some time, we had a child.”

Gulzhanat ABDIMOMYNOVA

Background

In the first half of the 9th century, a Muslim feudal state existed on the territory of Semirechye. The Karakhanid state included the regions of Kashgar and Semirechye. With the Karakhanids coming to power, qualitative changes occurred in the architecture of these two regions, as well as throughout Central Asia. According to historians, ancient Taraz, which was the Khan’s headquarters of the Karakhanids, reached its greatest prosperity during this period.
The spread of Islamic culture among the urban population was reflected in monumental cult architecture - mausoleums built in memory of noble feudal lords. In Taraz and its surroundings, the mausoleums of Babaji-Khatun, Aisha-Bibi and the Karakhan memorial complex were built.

In modern Taraz, remains of monuments of the once prosperous Karakhanid architecture are still preserved. Many historians agree that the earliest of them is the Karakhan mausoleum. There are a number of legends about this structure.

Legends about Aulie-Ata-Karakhan

According to one of them, Aulie-Ata-Karakhan was a descendant of the famous Sufi poet and mystic of the Turkic-speaking world, the legendary Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Another legend says that the mausoleum was allegedly erected in honor of a “saint” from Central Asia, who arrived in Taraz to spread Islam. Numerous opinions that this building is not a memorial monument, but a religious and cult object of Karakhanid culture is confirmed by the inscription above the entrance to the mausoleum: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.”

Photo http://culturemap.kz

The third legend says that the Karakhan mausoleum bears the name of the khan himself, who built a memorial monument in honor of the saint from Central Asia. However, the true name of this historical figure still remains a mystery, but researchers unanimously claim that he was the all-powerful khan of the Karakhanid dynasty, who founded his state. According to historians, Lord Kara Khan was the first to convert to Islam in the territory of Semirechye.

At one time, the fame of this khan thundered beyond the borders of the Karakhanid state. Historically, he was described as a modest khan who, despite his enormous wealth, preferred to live quietly among the people. Rarely appearing in the guise of a khan, this man dispensed justice, pretending to be a hero. There is even a legend about how he subjugated the king of animals - a powerful lion. Legend has it that Kara Khan rode on it as if he were saddled on a horse.

He was also known for his obstinate wife, whom at one time he could not pacify. When asked by his close relatives why, when the whole world bowed down before the khan, his wife still dares to object to him, Kara khan answered: “I am a thousand times grateful to Allah for the obstinate character of my wife. Seeing that the whole world bowed its head before me, would I not consider myself superior to others, deceived by the tricks of the devil, falling into the trap of my pride? Thanks to my wife, I always remember that I am only one of the servants of the Almighty. And this allows me to always remain humble in front of him.”

Before and after reconstruction

The Mausoleum of Karakhan is one of the outstanding works of ancient architecture, which to this day delights connoisseurs of architecture with its beauty and attracts the attention of many researchers and ufologists. This is not accidental, since according to archaeological excavations, up to 30 different types of figured bricks were used to decorate this object, made with special high skill, which was a rarity for that period. But, unfortunately, its original appearance has not been preserved to this day. In 1906 it was completely restored. And when the structure was strengthened, the mausoleum lost its original architectural and decorative appearance.

According to researchers, the early mausoleum of Karakhan, before restoration, was a portal-dome structure, which was a centric composition. It was possible to enter the mausoleum only through a pointed arch. And it rested on three-quarter columns lined with paired bricks. The arch was designed in a similar way, surrounded by U-shaped, slightly protruding frames, laid out with bricks. The mausoleums had a decorative portal, which had not yet been separated into an independent volume, which is typical for the architecture of the 11th century. On both sides of the decorative portal there were paired vertical ornamented stripes with larger diamond-shaped patterns.

To decorate the mausoleum, figured bricks were used in various formats (up to 30 varieties). Obviously, this brick, the surface of which is shaped like a figure eight. then, in the form of prominently protruding wedge-shaped bricks with a cross-shaped pattern, the space of the portal between the frames was framed. In terms of plot, they resembled the tiles of the Aisha Bibi mausoleum. Today, the outside walls of the mausoleum are decorated with modern brick. And the former grandeur of the historical monument is reminiscent of the internal walls made of bricks from the Karakhanid era.

Commissioned by the community editors" History Faculty"our author @chika25 begins a series of reports from" archaeological mecca" - the ancient city of Taraz (Dzhambul, Zhambyl), in which it is currently located. A brief history of the city is outlined

The ancient city of Taraz, which is more than 2000 years old, is famous for its numerous architectural monuments, museums and ancient examples of architecture from the Karakhanid era.

There is an opinion of a number of historians that a mausoleum was erected to the great ruler from the Karakhan dynasty, known as Shah-Mahmud-Bugra, and everything that can be surprised in the eastern city of Taraz is in one way or another connected with " Saint Karakhan", who was revered by the people for his piety and holiness.

In fact, it is not known for certain which of the Karakhanids is buried in this Mausoleum. Therefore, local residents prefer to introduce tourists to " collectively"local" Ruler of Karakhan", endowing him with the features of various representatives of the dynasty. Accordingly, the legends about " Karakhan e" are numerous and often contradictory.

Under a layer of asphalt, in the very center of the city, an ancient settlement with historical layers from several eras was discovered.

During archaeological excavations, many artifacts were discovered that date back to the 6th-12th centuries. And a significant part of the historical collection belongs to the era of the Karakhanid reign of the 11th - 12th centuries. Actually, we will talk about this era, or rather about the museum-monument" Mausoleum of Karakhan".

According to legend, the first philanthropist of Taraz, Kali-Yunus, built the mausoleum with his personal funds. By the way, the famous eastern bathhouse, located not far from the mausoleum, also belongs to his authorship. I’ll tell you about it later, as soon as a small internal restoration of the museum is completed.

The mausoleum is located in the central part of modern Taraz, at the intersection of Tole bi and Baizak batyr streets, within walking distance from the archaeological park " Ancient Taraz».
This building is impossible to miss!

The mausoleum is surrounded by a park with stone paths. The area is well-groomed, with benches and neat bushes around. The entrance to the park is represented by a gate in a medieval oriental style.

Nearby there is a sign in three languages.

The building delights with its architectural beauty and you want to touch it with your hands, look inside and get acquainted with the historical heritage of the Karakhanid era.

Historical excavations have shown that 30 types of figured bricks, decorated with 60 ornaments, were used in the construction of the mausoleum. This tells us about the high skill and professionalism of the architects.

In the photo you can see an example of such bricks. It's hard to believe that this is not a modern work. Very often you come across terracotta tiles.

The Karakhan Mausoleum dates back to the 11th century, but it was rebuilt in 1906, losing its decorative decoration, but maintaining the original structure.

The internal walls are made of bricks from the original construction, and the external walls are built of new bricks.

The square plan of the mausoleum is represented by a central hall and corner rooms. They are called hujras. These are the so-called cells, small rooms in the madrasah.

The fourth corner is marked by a staircase that goes to the domed part of the mausoleum. The ceiling resembles a felt yurt.

Friends, I was able to look into the building itself from the main entrance, but I couldn’t enter the hall because it was creepy. And I doubted that they would let me in there without a headdress.

In the center of the hall there is a stone tombstone. It is covered with a white cloth and the tombstone is surrounded by twilight.

The Karakhanids are a proud and warlike Turkic people who, at the end of the 10th century, began to develop the southern lands of modern Kazakhstan. It was the Karakhanids who made Taraz their western capital of the state. Under Suleiman ibn Abd al-Karim from the Karakhanid dynasty, who took the title Arslan Khan, in the middle of the 10th century the entire population of the state was converted to Islam.

We immediately see a monument depicting the holy book of the Koran in an open form.

Hence the architectural design of the mausoleum, made in the Muslim style. Above the entrance we see an inscription in Arabic: “ There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet».

Legends were made about Karakhan (let me remind you that this is a collective image), his reign was famous for his exploits and amazing events. He himself was a great and powerful ruler.
For example, even the fact that the great Karakhan was able to tame a lion! Isn't it a very mythical story?

Karakhan trained the lion to obey commands, and there are rumors that the khan rode him like a rider on a horse. Such a sight inspired fear and respect for the ruler even among his enemies. The fame of Karakhan spread far beyond the city!

However, the ruler's wife was rebellious and capricious. The ruler’s viziers asked Karakhan: “ Why does the whole world and the dangerous lion obey him, and his wife dares to object and be obstinate next to the khan?»

To which Karakhan replied: “ Thanks to my wife, I understand that I am just a servant of Allah and I cannot subjugate the whole world and fall into the trap of my pride.". I think this is a very wise idea!
The original legend can be found in the book " Golden Silsila"(Golden chain of succession).

They say that everyone who visits the Karakhan mausoleum experiences positive energy. This place gives strength and health. I experienced some inspiration for history and joy that such ancient monuments have survived to this day and we can touch them and materially feel pieces of the past.

By studying the past, we can see a wonderful future, and perhaps avoid mistakes and wrong fateful decisions.

Friends, love history, visit historical places, get carried away by the architectural chronicle, because what the walls of ancient buildings write to us is history! And we are its successors and guardians!

To get a closer look at the history of the Karakhanids, I recommend visiting the museum in the park “ Ancient Taraz" There are many artifacts of the era on display, and you can also see models of all the historical buildings of the city of Taraz.

And here, in fact, is the model of the Karakhan mausoleum from the facade

and from the end

Next time, we will continue our journey through the ancient Eastern city of Taraz, which is located on the famous Silk Road, and get acquainted with the beautiful mausoleum of Aisha Bibi.

The Mausoleum of Karakhan is an architectural monument located in the central part of the city of Taraz, at the intersection of two streets - Bayzak Batyr and Tole Bi. The mausoleum is part of a cult-memorial complex formed on the territory of a medieval settlement.

The architectural structure was built in the 11th century. over the grave of one of the very first khans of the Karakhanid dynasty. According to folk legends, the construction of the mausoleum is associated with the person who erected the Babja-Khatun and Aisha-Bibi mausoleums. His name is still unknown, but what is known is that he was the khan of the Karakhanid dynasty, local rulers of the X-XII centuries.

Today, there are many legends about Karakhan, most of which connect the batyr with the young beauty Aisha, whose mausoleum is located 20 km from Taraz in the village of Aisha-Bibi. The story of their sincere love and the girl’s death from a snake bite leaves no one indifferent.

Square in plan, the portal-domed mausoleum of Karakhan consists of a central hall where the tombstone is located, and three corner rooms (hujra rooms), the fourth corner is occupied by a staircase that leads to the roof of the mausoleum. The façade of the building faces south. The entrance is located in the depths of the arch, on the sides of which there are three niches: pointed, rectangular and square.

In 1906, the mausoleum was somewhat rebuilt; the design principle was preserved, but the original architectural and decorative decoration changed greatly. Inside the mausoleum you can see a stepped tombstone that has survived to this day. Currently, the outer part of the walls of the Karakhan mausoleum is lined with modern brick, and the inner part (the dome and arched niches) is made of brick from the Karakhanid era.

In 1982, the Karakhan mausoleum joined the list of historical and cultural monuments of the Kazakh SSR of republican significance. In 2002, on the eve of the 2000th anniversary of the city of Taraz, the last restoration of the mausoleum was carried out.