Directly opposite the Guri Amir Mausoleum, in the immediate vicinity of it, you can see another funerary complex, the Rukhabad Mausoleum. It was constructed in the reign of Timur over the grave of the preacher Burhanuddin of Sarargis in 1380.
The Rukhabad Mausoleum means «Abode of Spirit» in Uzbek. The mausoleum properly is rather modest. You can see neither mosaics nor other architectural decorations. According to a legend, such was the life of the preacher Burhanuddin of Sarargis.
In the middle of 14 century Burhanuddin was sent to preach Islam in China where he became the head of Chinese Muslims. He died when the empire of Timur was at the greatest height of its development. According to the will of his father, the son of Burhanuddin Abu Said, brought the body of Burhanuddin to Samarkand and buried it near the grave of the dervish Nureddin Basir.
Timur took an active part in the building of the mausoleum in 1380 and, according to the legend, he always dismounted when passing the Rukhabad Mausoleum. Later, there was also buried the «Chinese Princess», the wife of Burhanuddin of Sarargis and their children.
According to the legend, a box with seven hairs from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad was hidden within the dome of the Rukhabad Mausoleum. But no one checked whether it was there for seven centuries. Before they belonged to Burhanuddin of Sarargis who always had them with him.
At the end of 19 near the Rukhabad Mausoleum a mosque and a madrasah were built, a small pond was dug out, and a small minaret was built. So there was created the ensemble that we can see now. Not far away from the Rukhabad Mausoleum there is not only the Guri Amir Mausoleum and the monument of Timur, but also the Registan Square, as well as the Bibi-Khanum Mosque and the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis.
