Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis

Shakhi Zinda is the burial place of royal persons and nobles. But the main mausoleum from which the necropolis starts seems to be the imaginary grave of Prophet Muhammad's cousin, Kusam ibn Abbas. The complex was called "Shakhi Zinda" that means in Persian "The Living King".

The name Shah-i-Zinda ( lit. 'the Living King') is connected with the legend that Qutham ibn Abbas, a cousin of Muhammad, is buried here. He came to Samarkand with the Arab invasion in the 7th century to preach Islam.

Five domes adorn the long structure that holds an 18m long sarcophagus, reputedly holding the remains of the Old Testament prophet Daniel, revered by Muslims, Jews and Christians alike – although only Christians regard him as a prophet.

According to Dupuy, Samarkand had a garrison of reportedly 100,000 men. Genghis Khan reached the city in March 1220 and was joined there by his sons, whose forces had previously completed the capture of Otrar.