China: The tomb of Abakh Khoja, 17th century Sufi mystic, Kashgar, Xinjiang

Abakh Khoja (Apaq Xoja, or more properly Āfāq Khwāja (? - 1693/94) was a religious and political leader in Kashgaria (in modern-day southern Xinjiang). He was also known as Khwāja Hidāyat Allāh (Hidayetullah Khoja). He was a great-grandson of the famous Naqshbandi Sufi teacher, Ahmad Kasani (1461–1542) and was revered as a Sufi teacher in his own right.

Abakh Khoja seized power from the Chagatay dynasty of Yarkand by inviting Dzungar invaders through the secret diplomacy of the Dalai Lama. Abakh Khoja was a powerful ruler, controlling East Turkistan including Khotan, Yarkand, Korla, Kucha and Aksu as well as Kashgar.

Abakh Khoja's mausoleum is considered the holiest Muslim site in Xinjiang. It is located in Haohan Village, a northeastern suburb some 5 km from the city centre of Kashgar. First built c.1640, initially as Muhammad Yusuf tomb, the beautiful tiled mausoleum contains the tombs of five generations of the Afāqi family, providing resting places for its 72 members, both men and women.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia

Theme:

SILK ROAD