In the city of Taraz lies Aïcha Bibi's mauseoleum. Although there aren't authentic facts regarding its construction, there is a memorable legend about her love for her husband.
Aïcha Bibi was once the daughter of a rich man known as Khakim-Ata, or the Zengy Baba, the disciple of Akhmed Yassaui. Karakhan fell in love with Aïcha Bibi at first sight when she was sixteen years old, and she also fell in love with Karakhan. He asked her father for her hand in marriage, but he refused. Although he was also a khan, he was not as famous as Aïcha Bibi's father. He left his home to venture to Taraz. Aïcha Bibi who didn't get her father's blessing also left the house, but not before warning her mother, Anuar.
Her father recited a spell, foreseeing she would ford six rivers, but not the seventh. When she reached the seventh river, she stopped, remembering the spell he cast before she departed. His curse had come true as a snake crawled from under the stone, delivering a fatal bite to Aïcha Bibi. She was buried here shortly after.
Karakhan, arriving too late, was shocked and heartbroken, so he ordered his men to build a mausoleum on the grave of his beloved to inscribe her name for all of eternity.
Many people say he lived a long life--having multiple wives whose names are unknown. However, when he was dying, he ordered to be buried in a place where he could still see Aïcha Bibi's mausoleum. For ten centuries, the Mausoleum of Karakhan and Aisha Bibi was the tallest building in Taraz.
To this day, the mausoleum itself looks very light and elegant. It has stood strong despite the bad weather, serving as a witness to great love. In modern times, women come to the mausoleum to ask for happiness in their marriage and in motherhood. Many brides who have come to visit say they felt an unusual aura, which is reflected on the walls of the mausoleum. Legend foretells that sounds and voices from the building can echo at a distance of 50 to 100 meters.
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