Rukhabad Mausoleum

Ruhobod Mausoleum, Ruhobod — a legendary name, actually the tomb of the scholar saint Shaykh Burhoniddin Sogʻarjiy (Sogʻarj—an ancient town near Samarkand). In the early period of the Timurid Empire (the 70s of the 14th century) during the opening and regulation of the famous Shahroshoh Street, which connected the city of Arki (Kok Palace, Bostan Palace, Nuriddin Basir Mausoleum) with its southern Toshqorgon‑chaqar (Little White Palace, Muhammad Sultan architectural complex, the present Timurid Mausoleum), the Sogʻarjiy tomb that emerged was linked to a magnificent high mausoleum. A special endowment deed (the translation of the lost deed remains in the State Archives of Uzbekistan) was issued for the maintenance of the Timurid mausoleum. According to it, the mausoleum and the adjacent garden were a major source of income.

The tomb building is currently visible from the city center, during the reconstruction of the surrounding area the later period buildings around the tomb were demolished, as a result the tomb’s original form became clearly visible. The tomb consists of a chapel, an eight‑sided dome and a simple dome. Inside there are unknown coffins. From the outside (south) the wall adjoining the saint’s grave is ornamented with a ceramic border in the shape of a pediment. Inside, remnants of enamel decoration are preserved. Among the carved decorations of the entrance door (installed in the 19th century in the name of the Bukhara amir) one can see fish shapes. The population expressed special devotion and respect to this saint, calling the tomb and its associated place Ruhobod. In the 19th century a madrasa (now the gatehouse and several rooms are preserved), a mosque and a minaret were built attached to the tomb. During the Shor era this place was neglected as a religious pilgrimage site and fell into abandonment. The rooms were partially demolished, a workshop is located in the Gazar mosque. On the eve of the 660th anniversary of Amir Timur’s birth extensive reconstruction work was carried out around the tomb. The R. tomb became a bustling pilgrimage site again. Poʻlat Zohidov.