Sarahs Baba – the father of Sarahs

The mausoleum of Abul Fazl (Sarahs Baba) is a thousand years old monument and it is hard to believe that still stands. It located in Sarahs, one of the border cities of Turkmenistan beyond Iran. Sarahs district is part of the “Silk Road Sites in Turkmenistan” and monuments of Sarahs, including Old Sarahs, the mausoleum, and the Mele Hairam temple complex were inscribed on the Tentative List to become UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It is also hard to recognize the importance of place without knowing who Abul Fazl is. Firstly, the name Sarahs Baba means the father Sarahs. This name is sincere contracted version of Abul Fazl Sarahsi. Sarahsi means “the man from Sarahs”. Sufi Abul Fazl was the master of many wise men, the most known is Mane Baba (Abu Seyit). Disciples of Sarahs Baba built the monument and it proves that his authority is not limited with the religion.

The monument’s certain location is 1.5 kilometer southeast of current Sarahs city. The mausoleum is constructed above the tomb of Sarahs Baba. The architecture of the building is very seldom and carries not similarity with the Khorezm and Dehistan. The walls of the building is nearly 2.5 meters and it was built as one rectangle room. Beside it, the narrow corridors among the walls is very interesting and some parts are not easy to pass away. If you begin to go up by stairs in narrow doors, your ideas about the building is definitely changes.

Architecture of mausoleum

 

The mausoleum of Abul Fazl

 

Sarahs lived its golden age when the mausoleum was built. Sarahs was the centre of science especially in branches architecture, construction, astronomy, physics, algebra, geometry and religion. Many people came there to be disciples of the masters, many people came to be an artist, and many caravans stop there to sell and buy goods.

This 2500-year-old residential area is currently used as a graveyard and fortress of Sarahs next to the monument is also worth to see. The fortress is partly buried and became a huge hill. However, the east side of the fortress is wide open and it is enough to show its majesty. No matter how much time passes, history keeps something for us and it is up to us to come and see.