Located in the town of Navoi (formerly known as Karmana), the Kasym Sheikh Mausoleum is a historical complex that includes a mosque, a place for pilgrims (khanaka), and two outdoor tombs (hazira). Construction of this complex began in 1571. According to historical chronicles, Kasym Sheikh Azizan Karminagi (1500/1578–79), was a renowned religious and political figure in Central Asia, leading the Yassaviya Sufi order.
Kasym Sheikh gained fame for his peacemaking efforts during the internal struggles for power in Maveranahr. He assisted the future ruler Abdullah-khan II (1557–1598, khan of all Uzbeks from 1583) in the battle against the combined forces of Samarkand, Tashkent, and Turkestan. Kasym Sheikh participated in the defense of the fortress, hiding the royal family and their servants deep within its walls.
In 1579, Kasym Sheikh passed away under unknown circumstances and was buried in the center of the hazira. A large marble daḵma (funerary monument) was erected over his grave. Many scholars suggest that the first building on the mausoleum’s site was constructed by Kasym Sheikh himself and served as a madrasa until his death. There is also evidence that this building served as a mosque (namazgoh). Mass prayers were held here during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha.
Years later, Abdullah-khan II visited Kasym Sheikh’s burial site, held memorial services, and initiated the construction of a khanaka (pilgrimage site) next to the hazira. Later, his followers were also buried near Kasym Sheikh’s tomb.
By the end of the 16th century, a mosque was erected. Burnt brick was used in its construction. The building is square-shaped with a large dome. Three out of four sides of the mosque are facades, featuring vaulted portals typical of Islamic architecture of the Middle Ages.
In 1910, the last ruler of the Bukharan Emirate, Abd al-Ahad (born in 1885), perished. He was also buried near the Kasym Sheikh Mausoleum. Initially, the emir was buried in a brick sagana to the west of Kasym Sheikh’s hazira. Later, a marble daḵma was installed. Construction lasted a year, during which the ensemble’s courtyard was expanded. Additionally, a niche for the mihrab and entrances to the chambers were built on the main facade of Abd al-Ahad’s hazira. To the south of the mosque, a stone courtyard was constructed, capable of accommodating up to 2000 people.
Currently, the historical and architectural ensemble of Kasym Sheikh also includes a museum with a collection of 2000 artifacts, a place for ritual meals (ekhsonkhana), an imam’s residence, and a small fruit garden.
The central facade of the mosque features a high portal with intricately complex arches and inscriptions in Arabic. The dome of the mosque is mounted on a drum and is decorated with turquoise-colored majolica. Inside the mosque, all walls, columns, and portals are white with carved gypsum ornaments.