Bibi Buvayda Mausoleum

History and architecture

The mausoleum is dated to the 15th–16th centuries and is thought to have been built by Shah Jalil — a religious figure and legendary commander — in memory of his mother, Bibi Khuvaydo, and his wife. Buvayda District itself is named after Bibi Ubayda (Bibi Buvayda). The building consists of a pilgrims' hall and two tomb chambers on a rectangular plan of 18 by 8.5 metres. Slender towers flank the portal, and the hall and tomb chambers are domed. On the east side a small room was added over the grave of Bibi Buvayda's granddaughter. The mausoleum is undecorated, plastered inside with ganch, with a door carved in geometric patterns; it is built of 25 × 25 × 5 cm fired bricks. It is a component of the 'Silk Roads: Fergana–Syrdarya Corridor' nomination.