Tashkent

Tashkent, one of the oldest and the most beautiful cities in the World, is a capital of Uzbekistan. The city is situated in south-eastern part of the country, at 440-480 meters over the sea level. During its 2200 years history Tashkent was a significant cultural, religious and trade center. From the little settlement it turned into one of the largest cities in Central Asia. As an important trading center on the Great Silk Road, Tashkent was a bridge between different civilizations and cultures.

“Star of the East”, “City of thousands fountains”, these are epithets, which celebrated the city. In 2007 the world community recognized the Tashkent as a “Capital of the Muslim Culture”, and this proved the Tashkent’s status as religious center.

The geographical situation of the Tashkent oasis, on the middle of Syrdarya river, and its feeders Chirchik and Ahangaran, became a background for settlements of farmers and stockmen. In ancient time this oasis called Chach. The land development was started by representatives of the well known Burgulyuk culture. One of such towns was found on the Shashtepa settlement, from which the Tashkent’s history began. The settlement is situated in the south of the city. Residents of Shashtepa sowed barley and wheat, ranched small cattle. The weaving was also developed.

In VII-VI bc. settlements of this oasis became deserted by known reasons. Only in III bc. new residents- wanderers appeared here. There are no other remains left, but Necropolis in Shashtepa. Here was found dishes, round bronze mirrors, waist clasp with image of lying Bactrian camel, showing that wanderers came from Preural’e and Povolje regions.

In accordance with archeological founds the settlement had a range of religious buildings and were surrounded by defensive walls. All of these buildings are typical for work of architects in the Ancient East. Tribes came to this region, had skills of town planning and building, and that was a reason of the building of future Tashkent. However, the life became extinct in this town. Only elevation with 20 meters high citadel left from 25 hectares of Shashtepa territory, and the rest area was used for modern building.

For first time the name “Chach” was mentioned in inscription of Shapur I, tsar of the Sassanids, made on Zoroaster Kaaba in Iran in 262 bc. The first information about Tashkent contained in Chinese chronicles of II bc., where was mentioned the Kanka settlement, situated in Akhangaran valley. The Chinese called this place “Yuni”, which later got a name “Shi”.

After some time, when important trade lines of the Great Silk Road were moved to the north, the capital of oasis became Ming Uryuk.

During archeological excavations on the settlement Ming Uryuk (I bc.-VII cc.) was established the existence of the palace with halls, lobbies, fire sanctuary, wall frescos in spirit of traditions of the Sogdian culture. The name ‘Ming Uryuk’ is translated as ‘thousands of apricots ’. Origin of this name connected with cultivation of apricot gardens near this settlement in XIX century. Presently, on the place of the settlement remained only a small hill 100x80 meters.

The Chach was captured by the Ephtalites in V century and in VI cc. it was a part of the Turk kaganate.

The city was fully destroyed by Arabian conquerors in VIII century. They broke the system of water-supply, thus people left this place. At this period the city became known as “Shash”, which replaced the name Chach as there is no character “Ch” in Arabic alphabet.   After a time the city regenerated in north-western from ancient ruins and got the name Binkent. Presently, in the center of the renewal city located the Eski Juva square- Old arsenal. The Capital rapidly turned into the large trade center, from which caravans with goods tended to different cities of the Great Road.

In the end of X and middle XII cc. Chach was a part of the State of the Karakhanids. Exactly in that time the city got a new name Tashkent. This name can be translated as “stone town”. Refer to Chinese chronicle the oasis Chach mentioned as Shi- “stone”.  It was not a building stone, but semi-precious stone, which were riches of the Chatkal Mountains. Thus, the present name of Tashkent can be referred as “The Town of noble stone”.

In the beginning of XIII the oasis were captured by the Khorezmshah Mukhammad. Thereby, by the Mongolian invasion (1220), Tashkent had no political importance in comparison with other cities of the Movaraunnahr.

In XIV- beginning of XV cc. Tashkent became a part of the State of Timur and Timurides. In this time Tashkent became the fort post of the Timur’s Empire in the north.

In the beginning of XVI, after the dissolution of Timur’s state, Tashkent became a part of the Sheybanid’s State. Cite was newly enwalled.  During the Sheybanides’ ruling were erected a big number of buildings, and part of them is preserved till present time. The shining example of the architecture of that time is madrassah Kukeldash.

In the end of XVI till XVIII Tashkent was included in the Kazakh Khanate. Later the oasis became a part of the Kokand Khanate. In view of development of trade relations between Kokand Khanate and Russia, in Tashkent was marked the economical upturn. During the Kokand khans Tashkent was mured with a wall with 12 gates, lengthen for 20 km.

In 1865 Tashkent became a part of the Russian Empire and in 1867 an administrative center of the Turkestan General-governorship. Historically Tashkent divided in to two parts by the canal Ankhor: old city and new city. People in old city dialed in handicraft, and in the new city developed an industry. In 1924 was established the Uzbek Socialist Republic. From 1925 to 1930 the capital of republic was Samarkand, and since 1930 the capital was moved to Tashkent.

On September 1, 1991 Uzbekistan was proclaimed an Independent State. Independent state symbols became the constitution, emblem, flag, and anthem.

During the period of independence Tashkent assumed a new appearance: were created new parks, erected modern administrative buildings and houses, built religious centers, improved bazaars and widened streets.

The sample of the new architectural image became renewed Independent Square, beautified national park of Alisher Navoi, Amir Temur Square, National museum of the Temurides’ history and Gallery of the painting art.

The vision of modern architects incarnated in new religious complexes, such as Khast Imam, Kukcha and others.

The symbol of Tashkent in the past and presently stays the Television tower of 375 meters high, which is the tallest building in Central Asia. The Tashkent metro is also the unique architectural artwork, as it is the only in Central Asia.

Tashkent, the modern city with oriental flavors is a truly “Pearl of the East”