Located within the serene village of Zangiata, a mere 15 kilometers from Tashkent, lies a revered sanctuary that has stood the test of time—the Zangiata Mausoleum. This sacred edifice serves as the final resting place of the venerated Muslim Sheikh Ai-Khodja and his spouse. Sheikh Ai-Khodja, a prominent figure of the 13th century, was affectionately known as «Zangiata,» which translates to «dark father,» a moniker derived from his distinctive dark complexion. He and his wife were devout disciples of the esteemed Sufi leader Ahmed Yasawi, who commanded the respect of all Turkic tribes across Central Asia.
The construction of the Zangiata Mausoleum dates back to the era of Timur’s reign. According to legend, Timur initially commissioned the reconstruction of a mausoleum in Turkestan to honor the Muslim saint Ahmed Yassavi of Kazakhstan. However, the walls of the intended mausoleum persistently crumbled, halting progress. It was only after Timur experienced a revelatory dream, in which Yassavi himself instructed him to first honor Zangiata, that the construction successfully commenced. Following the completion of the Zangiata Mausoleum, the mausoleum dedicated to Ahmed Yassavi in Turkestan was finally erected.
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