Baigozy, the mausoleum

It is a monument of history, cult architecture. It is located 2 km away from the village of Zhylandy, on the bank of the river Zhaman Sarysu, in the area widely known among the people as "Batyr Basy" (Shet district, Karagandy region).

The famous Batyr Baigozy Naymantayuly (1705-1803) at a young age fought in the militia of his father Batyr Naymantay Sutemgenuly, who was a military leader of Tauke Khan and was buried near the mausoleum of Ahmed Yasawi. Baigozy participated in battles with Dzungars near Turkestan, as well as in significant battles that took place in the metropolitan areas of Anyrakai, Talky, Bulanty, Khantau, Ereymentau, Karkaraly.

Tales of the incredible bravery of Baigozy were widespread among the Kazakhs both in life and after his death. Some subjects of these legends were recorded in the middle of the XIX century by Sh.Sh. Ualikhanov, who published them in his essay "Historical legends about Batyrs of the XVIII century". According to Sh.Sh. Ualikhanov, Batyr Baigozy, being a participant of the battle against Torgouts in the detachment of Khan Abylai and Shakshak Zhanibek, killed the enemy's leader who was chasing a small Kazakh army with an accurate archery shot. Taking advantage of the ensuing confusion in the enemy's camp, the Kazakhs "hit back" and achieved victory. One more historical story of Sh.Sh. Ualikhanov describes the capture of Baigozy during the battle of Abylai's army with the Kyrgyz, in the battle the manap Temirzhan died: "Baigozy Batyr was chosen by lot as a victim for the death of manap. He was asked: who killed the Batyr? He answered firmly: I do not want to be a proof to anyone". When Baigozy was pointed at the gun, he "sat without fear", thinking nothing. Then the victim's brother let him go, saying: "My brother was shait, I don't want blood, you Kazakh, you are free". Baigozy Batyr lived a long life and claimed that he lived through a second, "measured by the Almighty for him term". He believed that his "second term" was given to him for his father Naymantay Batyr, "who died before God's old age and was buried in holy Turkestan.

Baigozy lived in Central Kazakhstan and went on a summer camp with his village to the bank of the tributary of Sarysu, which was called Zhaman Sarysu - by the name of Batyr Zhaman who used to live here (Zhaman's Sarysu). The old soldier was buried in a small cemetery called "Zhaman's grave". Later, the old name was forgotten and a new name was instilled - "Batyr basy" (informant - an old man from the village of Zhylandy Ali Turebekov, recorded in 1984). In old years Baigozy, remembering "the second term", moved away from the worldly bustle, sacrificed a lot to help the poor, patronized religious affairs and enlightenment. He went to Turkestan, where his father - his teacher and noble warrior, slept in the shadow of Khazret. As the aksakals of the 1970-1980s, who remembered the stories they heard from their parents, being a little boys, often asked a grey-haired, hunched-up old man: "Oh, grandpa, and you were a batyr? He answered invariably: "No, Naymantay was a batyr, not me".

His grave became a holy place where many pilgrims from Central and Southern Kazakhstan came. The people believed that he was visited by spirits during his lifetime (Aruaq qongan). If Zhidebai had two foxes as his patrons, Baigozy had a mighty golden eagle as his patron. Apparently, one of the reasons why his people venerated him alive was also the fact that many famous Kazakh Batyrs had a kinship with this family. Baigozy's mother, Sholpan, was the youngest sister of a Batyr Yeset Tarkhan from the Junior Zhuz; his elder sister Bayau was the mother of the famous Kanzhygaly Bogenbay Batyr, his daughter Koisan was the mother of Shubyrtpaly Agybay Batyr, Kenesary's associate, and granddaughter Shaki was the mother of Ykylas Dukenuly, the founder of the school of kobyz in Central Kazakhstan. At present, the Mausoleum of Baigozy is intensively visited by pilgrims, and memorial festivities are regularly held here.