Mausoleum of Rabiga Sultan Begim

The mausoleum is located on the territory of Azret Sultan Museum-Reserve in Turkistan Province, near the khanqah (a place for spiritual retreat) of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. The mausoleum was erected over the grave of Rabiga Sultan Begim, the daughter of Sultan Ulugbek and the wife of Abulkhair Khan. After the death of her husband, Rabiga lived in Turkistan for 17 years and passed away in 1485.

The preserved ruins of this monument can still be visited today. Initially, there was a single-chamber octagonal domed building, though it has since been rebuilt into a multi-chamber square structure. There are five rooms: an octagonal hall, two square rooms, and two rectangular rooms. The tomb, a wooden coffin, is located in the southeastern part of the mausoleum.

On the tombstone of Rabiga Sultan Begim the following epitaph is inscribed: “This is the final resting place of the noble Rabiga Sultan Begim, the daughter of the powerful, great sultan Ulugbek Guragan, the son of Timur Guragan. God bless all their graves before the day of judgment. Rabiga Sultan Begim departed from a temporary home to an eternal abode in one of the months of the year 890 (i.e., 1485) since the migration of the prophet* — may mercy and peace be with him.”

The Mausoleum of Rabiga Sultan Begim is highly regarded as one of the first architectural monuments built in the Turkistan necropolis.

Useful tips for 2020-2021

How to get there

You can easily reach Turkistan from major cities of Kazakhstan by train or by bus. You can also go to the mausoleum with a tour that usually includes an excursion to the sights of the city of Turkistan and its environs. The nearest airport is in the city of Shymkent, which is about 170 km (106 mi) away. The airport is international; on its official website you can find flights and timetables. In 2020, a new international airport is set to open in Turkistan.

If you arrive in the ancient city on your own, then you will need to reach the Azret-Sultan Museum-Reserve by taxi or by buses and minibuses plying around the city. The bus stop you need is Telman.

Food and accommodation

Since the mausoleum is located in the city of Turkistan, there will be no problems with food and accommodation. There are hotels and cafes for every taste and budget.

*the migration of the Islamic prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. It is often identified with the start of the Islamic calendar, which was set to 16 July 622 in the Julian calendar or 19 July 622 in the Gregorian calendar. (Wikipedia)