Mavlonbuva Mausoleum

History and architecture

The mausoleum was built in 1806 — the date, 1221 AH, survives above the entrance. Mavlonbuva is the popular name of Mavlavi Namangoni, a celebrated Namangan poet, and verses dedicated to him are copied in Arabic script on the walls, which makes the tomb a shrine of sorts for poets. The entrance portal, with a pointed arch and niches above, is flanked by large decorative columns shaped like three-tiered cones. Behind it lies a pilgrims' hall 7 metres square, decorated with ganch and painted in oils with panels of flower vases and geometric patterns. The mausoleum was repaired in 1905 by the carvers Zokir Okhun, usta Husayn and usta Abdurazzoq, and in 1957 the Arabic inscriptions on its walls were restored.