Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Narkompochtel USSR Uzgen Minaret and Mausoleums in Kyrgyzstan

 

NAROMPOCHTEL USSR in 1991 issued a First Day Cover stamp of the 11th century Uzgen Minaret and Mausoleums in former Soviet Kyrgyzstan.

The Uzgen Minaret has a height of 27 meters. However, the original height of the minaret was almost 2 times higher – numerous earthquakes brought down the upper part of the tower. In Soviet times, the minaret was restored and an observation deck with windows was opened, from where an impressive view of Uzgen opens. The base of the minaret is made in the form of an octagon.

The Uzgen complex of mausoleums consists of three separate mausoleums. Mausoleums differ in the year of construction and style of decoration. They are named according to their location by the Southern, Middle and Northern Mausoleum. The largest and most notable is the Middle Mausoleum, which has an interesting feature. This is the only Karakhanid mausoleum, which has two portals. The exact purpose of the Middle Mausoleum is unknown to this day. Some researchers are inclined to believe that the Khan of the Karakhanid dynasty is in it. Others claim that the mausoleum has religious significance. Two other mausoleums do not cause such discrepancies. The Northern Mausoleum is the burial place of Jalil ad Din al Hussein Hasan ibn Ali, the ruler of the Karakhanids. The Southern Mausoleum was built later than the others and the name of the person buried in it is unknown.

Shown is the FDC stamp affixed to a maximum card of the minaret and mausoleums.

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