Darbaza Gate is one of the four historical gates of Turkestan, located 400 meters northwest of the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. These gates were recreated on the basis of a lithographic drawing published in the book «Picturesque Russia», published in 1885.

The name «Darbaza» is given because of a large ditch laid from a thin canal in the suburbs. Through this channel, water pours into the moat surrounding the city. In addition, the word «darbaza» means «gate» in Persian. The dictionary of Nurtas Ondasynov «Persian-Kazakh» states: «dauaza-darbaza – open doors, large gates of the city, fortresses.»

The city gates consisted mainly of wide and tall gazebos that opened in both directions. Darbaza Gate is the Northern gate of Turkestan. Lime, Gan, pure salt-free clay soil and baked Sauran bricks, Karatau lead, coal and minerals and metals for the manufacture of dyeing ceramics, necessary for the construction of the mausoleum, were exported through it. In addition, food, meat, and animal fat were delivered to the builders from Saryarka through these gates. For this reason, it is recognized as the most important gateway.

Originally appearing as a trail of caravan roads leading to Turkestan, the city gates eventually turned into large thoroughfares with residential buildings, hotels, shops, eateries and tea houses built along these roads. Gates have been installed along these main roads in the kurgan castles built in the 15th century to besiege the city, which was formed on an area of 34 hectares.

According to the 1951 city plan, the border of the 15th century Turkestan city, marked with a blue line, and the location of the gate will be reflected. And the red line marks the border of the 88.7-hectare Kurgan, rebuilt by the Kokand Khanate in 1843-1849 in the nineteenth century. There are four main gates in these mounds (№1, 3, 4, 5) and two recessed doors (No. 2, 6) without a tower. The gate marked with the number No. 5 is the gate of Darbaza, which we are talking about today.

The historical site of the darbaza gate can also be seen on the map of the city, dating from the end of the XVII-beginning of the XVIII centuries. Gate No. 5 on the same map is a gate.

As for the current condition of the gates, in 2009-2010, at the initiative of the Republican State Enterprise «Kazkaitazhanartu», the gates of Darbaza were restored.

Kurban, Inspector for the Preservation of historical and Cultural heritage monuments.