The Mausoleum of Jochi Khan is one of the most famous medieval monuments in Kazakhstan. It is believed to be the burial site of Jochi, the eldest son of Genghis Khan and ruler of the vast western territories of the Mongol Empire.

From the Mongol Empire to the Golden Horde

After the conquests of Genghis Khan, the enormous empire was divided among his sons. Jochi received the western lands, which included much of present-day Kazakhstan, southern Russia, and parts of Eastern Europe. These territories became known as the Ulus of Jochi.

Jochi played a major role in the history of Kazakhstan. Much of the country’s territory was once part of his ulus, and many Kazakh clans and ruling dynasties traced their origins to him. Later, after the fragmentation of the Mongol Empire, Jochi’s descendants founded the Golden Horde on these lands.

The exact cause of Jochi’s death remains unknown. Historians only know that he died around 1225. According to the legend, Jochi was hunting wild onagers when one of the animals fatally injured him by tearing off his arm.

A Mausoleum with a Turquoise Dome

The Mausoleum of Jochi Khan is built of fired brick and features a massive arched entrance and a dome covered with bright turquoise glazed tiles.

The mausoleum was constructed in two stages. The earliest part dates from the late 13th to the first half of the 14th century. In about 100 years, the structure was expanded with a second dome, a 17-sided star-shaped drum, and a taller entrance facade. Over the centuries, the mausoleum underwent numerous restorations. The latest major restoration took place in 1997-1998, when damaged brickwork was repaired and turquoise tile decoration on the dome was reconstructed. 

Excavations and the Mysteries of the Burial

The mausoleum was first studied in 1945, and archaeological excavations began a year later. Inside, researchers discovered two wooden coffins containing human remains. Animal bones, including camel bones, were also found within the burial complex.

However, the graves had been looted back in 1929. By the time archaeologists arrived, many of the human and animal bones had become mixed together. Some sources claim that the buried man was missing an arm, echoing the legend that a wild onager tore off Jochi’s arm. Yet archaeologists caution against drawing any conclusions. Because the burial had been disturbed and some remains may have been displaced or lost during the looting, it was impossible to determine whether the skeleton was originally complete. As a result, the “missing arm” story cannot be considered proof that Jochi himself was buried here.

Radiocarbon analysis showed that the wooden coffins were made between 1218 and 1268. Dating of the wooden threshold from the earliest structure suggested that the mausoleum itself was built around 1330 – nearly a century after Jochi’s death.

Archaeologists also uncovered several other fascinating details during the excavations. A horned finial that once decorated the top of the dome is now preserved in the Ulytau Museum. Researchers also found tiles with Arabic inscriptions and believe that the mausoleum’s entrance facade may once have been covered with decorative glazed tiles.

Is Jochi really buried here?

Why did scientists assume that the remains discovered belong to Jochi Khan and his senior wife?

In the 16th century, historian Hafiz-i Tanysh Bukhari mentioned the mausoleum as the tomb of Jochi Khan. Later, in 1900, the renowned orientalist V. Bartold also wrote that Jochi Khan's mausoleum was located on the banks of the Karakengir River.

However, there is still no definitive evidence, and the remains from the graves have never been fully analyzed. Thus, the attribution of the mausoleum to Jochi himself is controversial among scholars.

The main question relates to religion. The mausoleum was built in the Muslim tradition, while Jochi and his family still adhered to Turkic-Mongol shamanism. However, the mausoleum was built almost a hundred years after the khan's death. It's possible that Jochi was indeed buried according to traditional Mongolian rites, and later, when Islam spread throughout the Golden Horde, a Muslim mausoleum was erected over his grave. A similar practice existed in the Golden Horde. However, another theory suggests that the mausoleum may have been a tomb of one of Jochi's descendants, who had already converted to Islam.

Historical and Cultural Complex

Today, a historical and cultural complex has been established next to the mausoleum. It includes a hotel, an ethnic village, a museum, and trade and exhibition pavilions.

In the summer, tourists can watch traditional sports games and sample Kazakh cuisine. The museum pavilions display exhibits of traditional crafts and artifacts found during archaeological excavations. A monument to Jochi Khan also stands next to the mausoleum.

How to get there?

The mausoleum is located 50 km (31 mi) north of Zhezkazgan, and the road is marked with road signs. In 2024, construction began on a new paved road leading to the site.

Other tourist attractions near the Mausoleum of Jochi Khan:

• Dombauyl Mausoleum
• Shotkara Ancient City
• Alasha Khan Mausoleum
• Kelintam Ancient City
• Terekty Petroglyph Site