Mausoleum of Il-Arslan (Fakhreddin Razi)
The Mausoleum of Il-Arslan is one of the oldest surviving monuments in Kunya-Urgench, standing intact for nearly a thousand years. According to some studies, it dates back to the second half of the 12th century.
The mausoleum has two names - Mausoleum of Il-Arslan and Mausoleum of Fakhreddin Razi - although the reason for this remains unclear. Fakhreddin Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Umar al-Razi, a theologian and philosopher, travelled extensively in the Middle East and served at the court of the Khorezm Shah. However, he spent the last years of his life in Herat, where he founded a madrasa, making it unlikely that this mausoleum is his tomb.
Instead, the mausoleum was built over the tomb of Khorezm Shah Taj ad-Din Abu-l-Fath Il-Arslan ibn Atsyz, a ruler of the Anushtegenid dynasty who reigned from 1156 to 1172.
During his reign, Il-Arslan earned the title 'Lion of the People' for his exceptional leadership and military prowess. He expanded the state of Khorezm by annexing the ancient city of Dehistan and several cities in Khorasan. In 1172, Il-Arslan successfully repelled an invasion by the Karakitai army, cementing his reputation as a skilled and capable ruler.
The Mausoleum of Il-Arslan is an outstanding example of medieval architecture, renowned for its simplicity and elegance. The cube-shaped structure is topped by a twelve-sided drum and a twelve-sided conical dome. The exterior is decorated with a well-preserved geometric pattern of blue tiles, giving the monument a distinctive charm.
The brick walls feature intricate floral patterns over the arches, and the use of a double-domed structure creates an impressive sense of height and grandeur.
Researchers recognise the mausoleum as an exceptional architectural achievement, combining different architectural styles. The techniques and design elements used in the structure later influenced the construction of Timurid-era buildings, making the mausoleum an important precursor to later architectural advances.