Pahlavan Mahmud - national hero of Khorezmians

If blue domes are a symbol of oriental architecture often found in Samarkand and Bukhara, then in Khiva, in particular, in Ichan-Kala, there is only one turquoise dome. It decorates the tomb of Pahlavan Mahmud, a poet and hero of the XIV century. There were legends about his strength and courage. One of them tells how by his power Pahlavan conquered the Indian ruler and he agreed to reward him with everything that the hero wished. Then Pahlavan Mahmud said, “Free my countrymen from captivity.” When asked how many people to free, Mahmoud said: How many will fit into the skin of a cow? He cut the skin into thin stripes, which he tied into one large belt and wrapped all the prisoners. Mahmoud saved many people from slavery. After his death, the Muslim clergy elevated him to the rank of saints.

Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud, Khiva, Uzbekistan The complex of the mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud was built only in 1701, as evidenced by the engraving on the stone gates. The dome of the mausoleum, covered with blue glazed tiles with a sparkling gilded top. Initially, the mausoleum was modest and small, but quickly became a place of pilgrimage with a large number of hujras, khanaka and mosques. The walls of the mausoleum are decorated with magnificent majolica. In the mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud, people pray and drink holy water.