Around the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi within the territory of the shahristan of Old Turkistan — there were four gates. For this reason, historical sources referred to the city as the“Four-Gated Turkistan”. One of these gates, located 620 meters from the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi the gate “Zheti Ata”. Coordinates: 43.2967997, 068.2619606. In earlier times, caravans from Khwarezm, Bukhara, and Samarkand entered the city through this gate. In most medieval cities, there were two lines of fortifications — first is citadel and second is shahristan. The citadel was the main area of the city, surrounded by inner walls, while the shahristan was a large fortified area surrounding the citadel and forming the outer part of the city.
The gate Zheti Ata survived until the years 1928–1932. It was restored in 2019. The name “Zheti Ata” (“Seven Ancestors”) has always drawn attention. According to historians, it is associated with the burial of seven disciples of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in a single chamber. At the right side of the gate is located the mosque of “Bab Arab” nearby were two mausoleums: one dedicated to “Bab Arab”, and the other to the saint “Undemes Ata”. At present time, conducting studing works on the medieval main street that connected the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi with the gate Zheti Ata. Archaeological excavations led since 2009 allowed done a number of discoveries and the collection of new historical data.
The foundation of the 15th-century gate and the abutment of the bridge spanning the moat near the gate were made of fired brick. A photograph of the gate ruins, taken in 1910, has been preserved. During Kokand rule, between 1843 and 1849, the gate was re-built again. Based on the archaeological excavations conducted between 2009 and 2011 was reconstructed in 2019.
Литература:
- Тұяқбаев М., Өсеров Т., Күмісбаева Ұ., Мұсабаев Қ. Түркістан қаласының Жеті ата қақпасы орынында 2011ж. жүргізілген археологиялық қазба жұмыстарының есебі. Түркістан., 2011. Қорық-музей архиві.
- Жеті ата қақпасы. // «Әзірет Сұлтан» Энциклопедия. Түркістан, 2021. 146 б.
- Дастанов О. «Әулиелі» жерлер туралы шындық. А.,1967.56б.
