Historic Sights of Tashkent

3.2 Mausoleum of Zangiota
According to the legend, the saint Zanghi-ota spent his whole life as a shepherd grazing public stage. Moreover, it should be noted that this job was considered completely honorable at that time. He has not only successfully multiplied the major asset and the very basis of existence of their fellows – a herd of cows and sheep, but also he was the spiritual shepherd of the human community – to resolve disputes, comforted the heart, instructed in the faith, healed the sick, and even perform miracles.
Anyone familiar with the outstanding monuments of medieval architecture, preserved in Samarkand, Shakhrisabz and Turkestan, visiting the mausoleum Zangi-ota surely recognizes the style of monumental buildings of the epoch of Amir Temur and his dynasty. The high portal, decorated with bright ornaments of glazed tile, and large round dome from a distance cause the familiar association with the world famous tourist attractions of modern Uzbekistan. Indeed, the Zangi-ota mausoleum was built during the life of Amir Temur, although some of the circumstances behind its construction still enveloped in myths. The last building of the memorial complex in the village Zangi-ota – minaret was built in the 20th century.
Not far from the mausoleum in the middle of the current active Muslim cemetery, is another popular place – tomb of the wife of Sheikh Zangi-ota, holy Anbar Bibi.
Generally, from a certain point of view memorial in the village Zangi-ota looks even more exotic than the tombs and madrassah in Samarkand, Khiva and Shakhrisabz. Because, though located near the modern metropolis, but in fact – in the rural hinterland, it lacks flashy gloss inherent in the popular tourist destination.
3.3 Sheikhantaur Mausoleum
Memorial at Sheikh Hovandi Takhur is considered as one of the ancient buildings, preserved in Tashkent. It was built by order of Amir Temur over the grave of the Sheikh at the end of the 15th century. The personality of Havendi Takhur attracted his contemporaries, and descendants, who considered him as the Sheikh – the wisest of the wise. He was born at the end of the 13th century in the family who came from Arabia, Sheikh Omar, who was considered a descendant of the Caliph Omar. It is known that Sheikh Khoja Ahrar who had a great influence on the whole history of the 15th century was a descendant of Havendi Takhur.
Mausoleum of Sheikh Havendi Takhur is humble and modest as was his life. Only small inserts of the blue majolica in the lancet compartments and a small tympanum above the entrance enliven the brickwork.
Tombs of the rulers of Tashkent and their entourage were built around the memorial. At the end of the 19th century there was a necropolis, consisting of sixteen mausoleums. However, as a result of several devastating earthquakes and ill re-planning of the area in Soviet times, now a memorial complex consists of only three buildings.
Two dozen meters separate the tomb Sheikh Havendi Takhur from a small cube-shaped building of brick, topped with tent canopy, an unusual architecture of Central Asia. Antique carved doors leading to the burial room – gurkhan, decorated with deep niches with ‘ganch’ stalactites. It is the mausoleum of the ruler of Tashkent in the mid-16th century Tolly-biy, nicknamed Kaldyrgach-biy – “swallow”.At little distance, there is the grand mausoleum of Yunus-khan of Mongolia. This construction of 15th century with the portal and high lancet arch is impressive with its size. Domed ceiling of the main hall of the tomb is based on a system of intersecting arches and sails. The facades are decorated with Arabic script calligraphy and ornamentation. The magnificent mausoleum is worthy amazing as the person buried in it, Yunus Khan.