Restoration of the Karakhan Mausoleum: architectural and ideological transformations in the history of the monument
Baibugunov B. Baş A. Sapatayev S. Zholdassuly T. Kuralova Z.
31 March 2025Margulan Institute of Archaeology
Kazakhstan Archeology
2025#27Issue 1293 - 313 pp.
This article examines the historical and architectural features of the Karakhan Mausoleum, located in the southern region of Kazakhstan. Situated in the historical district of the city of Taraz, this site is considered an outstanding monument of Central Asian architecture and is shrouded in legends associated with the Karakhanid dynasty. Although there are no specific documents confirming the exact construction date of the mausoleum, researchers, based on archaeological excavations and scientific data, attribute it to the 10th–12th centuries. Since the mausoleum was fully restored in the early 20th century, no precise records of its original form have survived. The primary objective of this study is to assess the changes the mausoleum underwent through various historical periods, its architectural and decorative features, as well as the impact of restoration efforts and Soviet-era religious policies on its original appearance. For this purpose, the research analyzes archaeological excavations conducted between the 19th and 20th centuries, archival materials, and records and notes of researchers, including the works of V. Pankov, V. Kallaur, I. Castagne, and T. Senigova. In addition, by examining the oldest photograph of the mausoleum from 1872 and the reconstruction results from 1906, the study examines the original appearance of the monument. The findings reveal that although various restoration efforts over time did not fully preserve its original structure, the architectural style and decorative elements still convey the cultural heritage of the Karakhanid era. It is noted that the current state of the Karakhan Mausoleum has retained its historical and cultural significance, emphasizing the need for further research.
ishanism , Karakhan mausoleum , Kazakhstan , restoration , sacred place , sufism , Taraz
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Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey
Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University, Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan
Selçuk University
Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University
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