There are various estimates by the researchers of when the Mausoleum was built. Some attribute it to the reign of Ismail Samani (), a founder of the dynasty ( 849), some reference Ismail's father, Ahmad, who governed Samarkand. Others attribute the building to the reign of Ismail's grandson, Nasr II who ruled (). The reason for this later attribution is the lintel with inscribed Kufic script with his name found on the eastern side of the building during the restoration works in 1930s.