Name of the monument: necropolis of Asan-Kozha
Typological affiliation: sacred object
Dating of the monument: XVIII century – early XX century
Location of the monument: Aktobe region, Bayganinsky district, 43 kilometers west-south-west of the village of Oimauyt.
Research History: The necropolis has been the subject of several scholarly studies. Among the most significant is M.M. Mendikulov’s article “On the Characteristics of the Architecture of Kazakhstan in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries”, published in the book Architecture of Kazakhstan by A. Margulan, T. Basenov, and M. Mendikulov.
Other important sources include the works of S. Azhigali: “Report on the Architectural and Art Historical Expedition in Western Kazakhstan, 1980” (archived at the Kazproektrestavratsiya Institute) and “Report on the Architectural and Art Historical Expedition in Aktobe Region.” These publications constitute valuable sources for the study of the necropolis.
Brief Description: Located on the left bank of the Zhem River, this necropolis is one of the largest Kazakh burial grounds dating to the modern period.
Although the site occupies a relatively small area, it contains a remarkable diversity of above-ground funerary monuments, with a total of 264 recorded structures.
These include mausoleums constructed of chalk limestone, saganatam tomb structures built from dressed stone, enclosures made of stone and mud brick, sandyktas (chest-shaped tombstones), qulpytas (upright gravestones), qoytas (ram-shaped memorial stones), historic and more recent burials, as well as a mosque building. In many cases, the qulpytas are integrated into larger funerary monuments.
The necropolis is divided into two groups. The first group is situated on elevated ground approximately 2 km west of the Tuz winter settlement (zhailau). It consists primarily of enclosures built of brown sandstone. The area also contains eroded earthen mounds, additional stone enclosures, and shegen-type memorial monuments. A distinctive feature of this section is the extensive use of brown sandstone for carving qulpytas.
Among the most significant monuments are saganatam Nos. 13 and 164, dating to the 20th century, which represent a harmonious combination of architectural design and stone-carving art. The majority of the monuments are qulpytas and qoytas. These include both archaic and later examples distinguished by well-balanced proportions and refined stone craftsmanship.
Inscriptions in the Kazakh language written in the Arabic script are carved on the western faces of the qulpytas.
Monument No. 1 is a rectangular stone enclosure oriented along a north–south axis. It was probably intended for two burials, although no burial pits have been identified. The enclosure walls are constructed of large brown sandstone blocks and slabs bonded with clay mortar. Two qulpytas are installed at the head of the enclosure.
The second group is located approximately 800 m southwest of the first. It includes both historic and recent burials, as well as the mosque building. The older part of the necropolis consists mainly of stone enclosures, ruined mud-brick enclosures, and shegen-type enclosures.
Approximately 150 m southeast of the necropolis stands the Mosque of Asan Ishan, a rectangular building constructed of mud brick laid in clay mortar.
Overall, the mosque is oriented with its mihrab facing southwest. The mihrab wall originally contained two additional windows. The opposite wall contains the main entrance with an arched opening. False niches are arranged on either side of the entrance—one to the right and two to the left. Five similar niches are located along the southeastern wall. The northwestern wall contains three niches that served as shelves for storing books.
Legend: According to local tradition, Asan Ishan, who lived during the 17th–18th centuries, belonged to the Qoja lineage and served as the religious leader of the Tabyn clan of the Zhetiru tribal confederation of the Junior Zhuz. His ancestor was Baksaıysh-Auliye, a religious figure of the Dasht-i Kipchak who lived between 1320 and 1380.
The name “Qoja” is associated with members of the Qoja lineage who came to the Kazakh steppe, spread Islam, established madrasas, and educated children. According to oral tradition, Asan was highly respected among the local population, actively promoted Islam, and is believed to have belonged to the Qoja lineage.
Today, Asan-Qoja is revered as a saint. Pilgrims visit his burial site, where many spend the night as part of their pilgrimage.
Asan-Qoja lived during the same period as the well-known historical figure Asau Barak.
Reference: Wikipedia. Asan-Qoja. Available at: https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%90%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B6%D0%B0