Cities - Tashkent

Tashkent – a capital of Uzbekistan, is the biggest economical, political, scientific and cultural center of Central Asia.

The city is situated to the north-east of the republic, in the foothills of western Tyan Shan, in the Valley of Chirchik River, at altitude of 440-480 m. above sea level.

The history of this city is more than 2500 years old. According to the historians, Tashkent began its history as a small settlement of Saks in the VI –III BC.

For its centuries-old history the city had different names – Uni, Chach, Shash-Tepa, Binkent, and Tashkent. It was first mentioned in early Chinese manuscripts by the name of Uni, which belonged to the Kang state (III BC.).

In the I-IV CC Chach belonged to the Kushan Empire. In the V the city was occupied by the Ephthalites that founded huge Empire throughout Central Asia, and in the 6^th century it was under the Turkish Khaganate. At that time peoples of this land adopted the Turkish language.

In the beginning of the VIII C the Arab troops crossed the Amu Darya and started the invasion of Central Asia. Bukhara, Samarkand were invaded first, and in 716 – Chach (Tashkent). The population of Chach left the city, devastated by the Arabs and founded a new one, not in the ruins but at 4-5 km to the north-west away from the old city, along the Boz-su canal. At this time, Islam religion, Arab literature and culture spread in the territory of Central Asia

In the IX C the city was firmly settled down in the center of “old” part of modern Tashkent and called by the Arabic name “Binkent” (main city of the province), and this period, IX-X CC, was indeed the «Golden Age» in the history of economy, and especially, in the cultural development of the region, and was known as a period of “Moslem Renaissance”.

Handicraft, pottery, processing of metal, wool, leather and wood developed during this period.

There were many caravan-sarays in the city where the caravans, going along The Great Silk Road stayed. Being located in the transit road, Binkent was not only the crossroad, but it produced and exported goods as well. In the end of 10^th century the city belonged to Karkhanids state. The name “Tashkent” which means “Stone city” was first remarked in XI th century in the manuscripts of Biruni and Kashgari.

In 1219 (XIII C), as a result of Genghis Khan’s invasion, the city passed to Mongols and all city fortresses were destroyed, populated part of the city was decreased and Tashkent came to full decline.

Tashkent gained re-development and strong fortification during governing of Timur (Tamerlane) and Timurids in the XIV and beginning of the XV centuries. Territory of Tashkent widened and production, trade and culture developed. The city walls were erected as Tamerlane attached great importance to Tashkent as a military fortress of his empire. In the beginning of the XVI century Tashkent was invaded by the nomadic Uzbek tribes under leadership of Shaybanikhan. These nomadic tribes intermixed with the native Turkish-speaking and other already settled people in the territory of Tashkent. And the term “Uzbek” appeared first at this time as these nomadic tribes were called “Uzbeks”.

Within two centuries, XVII-XIX, Tashkent became an arena of fight between Khiva, Kokand Khanates and Bukhara Emirate. In the beginning of XIX century, this city was conquered by Kokand Khanate and became a part of this Khanate.

In 1865 Russian troops occupied Tashkent and the city joined Russia and in 1867 Tashkent became a capital of Turkestan governor-general

Tashkent is a capital of Uzbekistan since 1930.

At present, Tashkent is the biggest city of Central Asia with more than 2 million people living in this city. The Territory of Tashkent is 320 sq. km and is divided into 11 administrative districts.

It is an ancient city on The Great Silk Road where you can see harmonious blend of ancient oriental architecture and modern town-planning solutions that attract many tourists from all over the world.