Tole Bi Mausoleum

The Kaldyrgach biya Mausoleum (Tole bi) was built in the first half of the 15th century in the city of Tashkent. The ashes of the famous Kazakh politician Tole bi "Kaldyrgach", which means ("Swallow"), rest here, hence the name of the mausoleum. Tole bi ruled Tashkent for six years— from 1743 to 1749. Unfortunately, the courtyard and the decoration of the mausoleum have not been preserved. Kaldyrgach biy was the ruler of Moghulistan and the ancestor of Khoja Akhrar.

The unique composition of the mausoleum has a dome in the form of a pyramid, which is a rare construction for Uzbekistan. The hall has four niches, a brick staircase and hujras. A small square crypt is located under the main hall. The facade of the mausoleum is not lined. There is a legend that says that when people learned about the Kalmyks' offensive, they hurriedly began to leave their homes, only Tolebi was not going to leave his home. "Why aren't you going to leave?" they asked him. "This year, one swallow settled on the roof of my house," Tolya replied. Upon hearing this answer, the Kalmyk military commander decided not to touch Tole bi's house. The locals of Tashkent and Shymkent do not name Tole bi, but rather say "Sacred Swallow" (Kaldyrgach-biy).

The Kaldyrgach biya Mausoleum is highly revered by Kazakhs living in the Tashkent region and in the south of Kazakhstan. This architectural monument is considered the oldest surviving monument in Tashkent and is one of the country's most popular attractions.