Arystan Bab Mausoleum

Arystan Bab Mausoleum
The mausoleum on a Kazakh stamp (left)
Shown within Kazakhstan
Basic information
Location	Kazakhstan
Geographic coordinates	42°51′5.37″N 68°16′5″E / 42.8514917°N 68.26806°E / 42.8514917; 68.26806Coordinates: 42°51′5.37″N 68°16′5″E / 42.8514917°N 68.26806°E / 42.8514917; 68.26806
Geographic coordinates	42°51′04″N 68°16′05″E / 42.851°N 68.268°E / 42.851; 68.268Coordinates: 42°51′04″N 68°16′05″E / 42.851°N 68.268°E / 42.851; 68.268
Affiliation	Islamic
Architectural description
Architectural type	Mausoleum
Groundbreaking	14th century
Specifications
Length	13 m[1]
Width	30 m[1]
Dome(s)	2
Minaret(s)	2
Materials	Burnt brick with alabaster mortar[2]

Arystan Bab Mausoleum (Kazakh: АРЫСТАН БАБ МАЗАРЫ) is a mausoleum in Kazakhstan close to the village of Kogam and Otrartobe.

History

A legend states that Emir Timur ordered the construction of a mosque on the site of Khoja Akhmet Yassawi's grave but all attempts were unsuccessful. Timur was then told in a dream that in order to have success he should first build a mausoleum over grave of the mystic Arystan Baba.^[1]

The mausoleum dates from the 14th century and is constructed over Arystan Baba's 12th century grave but was reconstructed several times up to the 18th century.^[2] In the 18th century the previous mausoleum, which had been destroyed by an earthquake was replaced with a double domed structure supported by two carved wooden columns.^[1] Most of the current structure was constructed in the first decade of the 20th century with only the carved wooden pillars remaining from the original building.^[3][2][4]

Description

The mausoleum features a large central arch and wide front facade with minarets at the ends and two large domes to the left of the main arch. As well as the two-chambered table-tomb (gurkhana) of Arystan Bab and three of his students, Hermet-Azyra, Karga-Baba and Lashyn-Baba, a mosque and auxiliary quarters and museum are located in the other rooms of the mausoleum.^[3][2] The effect of high groundwater levels led to the mosque being demolished and rebuilt in 1971.^[4] A quran showing medieval calligrahy is dislayed under glass here.^[1]

The mausoleum is today a place of pilgrimage.^[4]

Arystan Baba

A sign in Sayram commemorating the legend of Ahmed Yasavi and Arslan Baba

According to legends Arystan Baba, a religious mystic and prophet, was the recipient of Mohammad's amanat beads or persimmon stone. When he was in Sayram he then passed these on to the eleven year old Khodja Akhmed Yassaui who became his pupil.^[5] Arystan Baba lived for over 400 years before his death^[3][4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} KAZAKHSTAN THE LAND OF WONDERS. Almaty: BW-KZ. 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "ARYSTAN BABA MAUSOLEUM". inform.kz. 22.01.2010. http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2230230. Retrieved 10 May 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Paul Brummell (2008). "Bradt Kazakhstan - Google Books". books.google.com. http://books.google.com/books?id=-2ZAp-TgaSMC&pg=PA363&lpg=PA363&dq=arystan+bab+mausoleum&source=bl&ots=Xh_s588DOH&sig=TqNZiUBhjhPb02j3yinbQgfbiug&hl=en&ei=InTITeOTC4HG-Qb397G0Bg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBoQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=arystan%20bab%20mausoleum&f=false. Retrieved 10 May 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d} "Arystan-Bab Mausoleum / Attractions / Портал visitkazakhstan.nur.kz". visitkazakhstan.nur.kz. 2011 [last update]. http://visitkazakhstan.nur.kz/en/guide/places/view/130/. Retrieved 10 May 2011. 
5. ^ "SADMOL travel company". sadmol.com. 2011 [last update]. http://sadmol.com/en/index.php?page=history. Retrieved 10 May 2011.