Dekhistan

However, Dekhistan’s glory was short-lived. By the time Genghis Khan’s armies arrived, the city was already in decline. Although life continued in Dekhistan-Misrian during the 13th and 14th centuries, by the 15th century, the city was completely abandoned. Today, the numerous ruins scattered across the site are a testament to its former grandeur.

Among the surviving monuments are the renowned Shir-Kabir mausoleum, two towering 25-meter minarets, the portal of the cathedral mosque, remnants of the mud-brick city walls, and the ruins of caravanserais and mausoleums within the Mashad necropolis.

Several caravanserais can still be found around this ancient settlement, just outside the fortifications, indicating the locations of the city’s gates and the directions of the caravan routes that once led from Dekhistan. The southern gate opened the way to Persia and Turkey, the eastern gate connected to Bukhara, Samarkand, and Merv, while the northern gate led to Russia and Europe.