Bukhara - Mausoleum of Imam Kazikhan

The Mausoleum Imam Kazikhan in Bukhara: legends, history and significance

The Mausoleum Imam Kazikhan in Bukhara, also known as the Mazar of Imam Kazikhan, is an important historical and religious site in the city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan. In various historical sources, such as the Book of Mullozoda, the full name of the Imam is documented: Imam Hasan bin Mansur bin Mahmud bin Abdu-laziz Margilani. This source also points out that Imam Kazikhan was an important judge (Qozi) in Bukhara and wrote several books reflecting his spiritual and legal knowledge.

The mausoleum of Imam Kazikhan is known not only for its historical significance as a burial place, but also for the legends and stories associated with the Imam’s name. One of the most famous tales about Imam Kazikhan relates to an extraordinary event during the invasion of Central Asia by Hulagu Khan. This legend has not only cemented the reputation of the mausoleum, but has also shaped the historical memory of the region.

The legend of Hulagu Khan and the boy
One of the most fascinating aspects of Imam Kazikhan’s mausoleum is the legend that revolves around a boy who impressed Hulagu Khan, one of the most important Mongol rulers of the 13th century. The story begins when Hulagu Khan marched with his troops towards Bukhara. In a dramatic turn of events, he declared that he would destroy the city if he did not receive a satisfactory answer to the question of who had led him to the chiefs of Bukhara.

The inhabitants of Bukhara asked for a period of forty days to find a solution, but until then they were unable to provide a satisfactory answer. Finally, a boy who was studying in a maktab (school) decided to meet Hulagu Khan and answer the question. The boy demanded a camel and a large white goat from the locals, which he had brought to Hulagu Khan on a palanquin (maofa).

When Hulagu Khan saw the boy in front of him, he was initially annoyed and asked whether there was anyone greater or wiser who could appear before him. However, the boy replied with remarkable wisdom and said: ‘If you need someone tall, here is a camel. If you are looking for someone with a white beard, here is a goat. But if you want an answer, here it is: Who brought you to us? It was our bad deeds that brought you to us.’ Hulagu Khan was deeply impressed by this perceptive answer. He gave the boy permission to make a request and the boy asked to be given as much land as the camel’s hide could carry.

The boy had the camel slaughtered, its hide cut into thin strands and surrounded the city with them. He had a wall built where the strands lay. But there was a mistake: the builders took the clay for the wall from the side of the city, which meant that the city ended up in a valley without a moat for defence. When the boy returned, he was disappointed with his decision and said that the city would have been impregnable if the clay had been taken from the outside.

This story gives the mausoleum of Imam Kazikhan not only historical significance, but also a deep spiritual dimension. The boy, who had no high social status at the time, attained sainthood after this incident and became known as Imam Kazikhan. The city of Bukhara honoured him as a wise and righteous man whose grave was considered sacred and healing.

The mausoleum and its significance
The mausoleum of Imam Kazikhan, which is located in Bukhara, is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a spiritual centre. It subsequently became an important place of pilgrimage. It was said that believers who passed by the tombs of Imam Kazikhan would dismount from their horses and continue on foot to show their respect for this sacred place. This custom emphasises the reverence and respect paid to the mazar.

The influence of Imam Kazikhan and his legacy can be felt not only in the religious and cultural traditions of Bukhara, but also in the city’s association with major historical events such as the invasion of Hulagu Khan. It is said that the Imam helped many people in the region during his time as a judge and scholar, and the fact that his tomb is considered a sacred place shows the lasting influence of his life and teachings.

Hulagu Khan and the Mongol invasion
Hulagu Khan (1217-1265) was the grandson of Genghis Khan and played a central role in the Mongol expansion. As the leading general and ruler of the Ilkhan dynasty, he led a series of military campaigns in 1256, defeating the Ishmaelites in Iran and destroying the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad in 1258. In a further campaign, he defeated the Mamluks in Syria and fought against the Golden Horde.

In 1256, Hulagu proclaimed himself ruler and nominally recognised the supremacy of the Great Khan. In 1261 he received the title ‘Ilkhan’, which means ‘Khan of the tribe’. Although he was one of the central figures in the Mongol expansion, there are discrepancies in the legend of Imam Kazikhan and his meeting with Hulagu Khan. The mausoleum of Imam Kazikhan dates the Imam’s life to 1132-1212, which means that Imam Kazikhan was over eighty years older than Hulagu Khan. It is therefore unlikely that the legend of a meeting between the two has any historical basis. However, it is possible that this story became an important narrative in a later period to anchor the importance of Imam Kazikhan and the dramatic events of the Mongol invasion in the region.

The mausoleum of Imam Kazikhan in Bukhara is not only a place of worship, but also a symbol of wisdom, courage and spiritual depth. The legends associated with this sacred site reflect the complex history of Central Asia, where religion, culture and political power are inextricably intertwined. The Mazar remains a significant landmark of Bukhara and continues to attract pilgrims and tourists who want to learn more about the fascinating history of this mystical place.