Mausoleum of Esim Khan

Esim Khan mausoleum — a republican significance monument in Turkestan city, a historical-architectural monument of the 17th century. It is located 12 m south of the western tower of the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi mausoleum. The mausoleum was erected over the grave of Esim Khan, ruler of the Kazakh Khanate. Coordinates: 43˚17.835΄, 068˚16.275΄ Elevation above sea level 219 m.

Description

The medieval architectural monument is partially restored, the tomb’s height is 3.2 meters, width 8.9 meters. Esim Khan – a major political figure of the Kazakh people in the Middle Ages. In the memory of the Kazakh people he left an indelible name as a symbol of the fierce spirit “the tall and brave Esim”. He died in 1628. Archaeologist G.I. Patshevich wrote “the tomb of Esim Khan” in 1960. The tomb project is a modest square structure. The main façade is preserved in the form of a portal. The façade is decorated with glazed tiles bearing geometric ornaments. The floor is paved with square bricks. No traces of plaster on the walls or dome have been found. The constructive methods of the tomb that have been preserved indicate a wide type of burial architecture spread in the area. The upper part of the tomb is completely destroyed, only the lower burial chamber remains. The first research work was carried out in 1958. It was partially restored in the 1980s. In 1994 it was entered into the “Register of Historical and Cultural Monuments of Kazakhstan” for the South Kazakhstan region with number 590.7 and taken under state protection.

Esim Khan died in 1628 at the age of 50, was buried in an underground burial chamber opposite the mausoleum, and a private mausoleum was built above it.

Esim Khan had many wives, however, there is no data on exactly how many sons and daughters he had. The most famous sons – Janibek and Zhandgir, who became khans one after another, his grandson Tauke, as well as Kayyp Khan (1715-1719), the grandson of his son Syrdak, who ascended the throne after Tauke, and later his grandsons Bolat and Sameke, and the great‑grandson Abilmambet who acquired the khanate.

The mausoleum reached us only in a ruined and broken state. It must have collapsed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The mausoleum was built of burnt brick in a square (9 × 9 m) plan. The main façade is in the form of a portal. The façades are decorated with geometric patterns in polished limestone. On the southeast side there is an entrance door to the mausoleum. The preserved wall being 1.2 m thick also shows that it could support a high dome. The floor is covered with square burnt bricks.

History

In 1958 the initial research work was carried out.

In 1982 it was included in the list of monuments of historical and cultural significance of the Kazakh SSR.

Partially restored in the 1980s.

In 2000 the preserved part of the mausoleum was repaired again.