Tashkent
Uzbekistan. History, monuments and pictures of Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan's largest city (pop. App. 2,400,000) is also Central Asia's largest city and main transportation hub. At present, Tashkent is one of the most important business centers of Central Asia. Present-day Tashkent is one of the most attractive Oriental cities. The architecture of Tashkent is unique; the hospitality and friendliness of the Tashkent people is amazing. Tashkent is more than 2000 years old. It has evolved from a small ancient settlement to the one of the largest Asian cities. A lot of memorable events of peace and war have taken place during the history of Tashkent, including many periods of rise and decline.
The first information about Tashkent (earlier known as Shash, Chach, and Binkent) dates back to the 2nd century B.C. Tashkent had a favorable location on the Great Silk Road. Conquered by Kangiuy (Khoresm) in 1st c. B.C., the city was ruined.
In the 1st-3rd c. B.C. the military camp of Chach was located here.
In the Kushan period, the city flourished throughout the 3rd-4th centuries.
In the 7th c. Shash was incorporated into the Arabic Caliphate, and the capital of Chach was burnt to ashes.
In the 8th c. Chach joined Ilaque, known for its huge gold and silver mines. Its epic name is "The turquoise mine".
In the 9th c. the biggest mint was located on the territory of Ilaque.
In the 10th c. there was a settlement named Nazartepa in the northern part of Tashkent.
In the 10-11th cc. Tashkent became the leading producer of Turkestan fabrics.
Binkent, the second name of Tashkent, (Shashkent) appeared in the 11th c.
In 1220 Chach was transferred to the possession of Ghengis Khan.
At the end of the 13th c. the city grew to be the biggest on the Silk Road.
In the 14th c. (Temur's epoch) the city was renamed to Shakhruhia in honor of Temur's son.
On the threshold of the 15th c. the city was included into Ulughbek's possession.
In the 15-16th c. buildings typical for the Temurids era appeared in the city's architecture.
At the beginning of the 16th c. Tashkent became a part of the Shaibanids State.
In the second half of the 16th c. Tashkent was integrated into the Bukhara Khanate.
In the 16th c. the building of madrahssas and mausoleums completed Tashkent architecture, but the whole Movarounnakhr was involved in a war between dynasties.
In the 19th c. the Kokand ruler Alimkhan conquered Tashkent.
At the end of the 19th c. Tsarist Russia conquered the Turkestan region (1881-1886). The construction of the first railway line from Orenburg to Tashkent was completed. Tashkent again became a crossroads of trade (North, South, West and East).
Architecturally, Tashkent, unlike other capital cities, was not lined with buildings as were Samarkand, Bukara and Khiva.
Tashkent is among those cities which are famous for their exceptionally valuable architectural heritage. There are many interesting monuments preserved from the Middle Ages, buildings from the 19th c. erected by the architects A. Benoua, V. Gueintselman, and A. Makarov according to European traditions, and modern buildings which combine the latest architectural achievements with national ornamentation, local picturesque decor and Oriental architectural traditions.
The most important monuments date back to the 16th c., the "golden age" of the city's history. Among them are- the Koukeldash Madrassah, the Barak-Khan Madrassah complex, the Suyunige-Khan and the Khaffal Shashi Mausoleums, the Yunus-Khan and the Kaldyrgach-Biya Mausoleums. Among the buildings of the late 19th c. - early 20th c. is the Palace of Grand Duke Nickolas Konstantinovich Romanov, Girls' and Boys' Schools, the Technical High School, and the Government Building, the Kirche.
The Chorsu Tourist Complex, the Peoples Friendship Palace, the Exhibition Hall of the Union of Artists of Uzbekistan, and the Tashkent metro stations are among the modern landmarks of the city. The Tashkent fountains, an intricate element of its architectural style, add to the uniqueness of the city. The residents of Tashkent are especially proud of the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre. It has become famous because of such outstanding performers as Tamara Khanum, Bernara Karieva, Mukhtar Ashrafi.
The State Art Museum of Uzbekistan is well known outside the republic. Its exposition includes about 4000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, and pieces of traditional decorative art. The Museum collection comprises paintings of West European artists, Russian artists of the 19th c., and pieces of national applied arts - golden thread embroidery, wood-and metal carving, etc.
Tashkent is a hospitable city. More than once it has served as the site of various international symposia, scientific conferences, and film festivals.
Tashkent is also known as one of the main gates to the Orient on international air routes from India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China to Europe.
And now we will look in more detail at each of the Tashkent sites.
Zangi-Ota: Uzbekistan's Mecca
Zangi-Ota's mausoleum was constructed by Amir Temur in 1397. It is the oldest surviving example of a Timurid structure in Tashkent. Also at the complex are a madrasah, a cemetery and a smaller mausoleum to Zangi-Ota's wife and mother in law, the Anbar Ona Bibi mausoleum. For Central Asian Moslems, Zangi-Ota is one of three destinations for their Hadj, or life's pilgrimage. The most devout Moslems will first make a trip to Zangi-Ota; next to Ahmad Yassavy mausoleum in Kazakhstan; and finally, to Mecca. Its popularity and importance at some times has turned Zangi-Ota into a carnival with its own amusements - sometimes providing plov, tea, fortune tellers and even dervishes. Today, though, the complex is a quiet spot for prayer and Islamic studies.
Abdul-Kasim Madrasah
The Abdul-Kasim Madrasah, located near the Friendship Palace next to the monument to the poet Alisher Navoi, can satisfy your need to explore - with a little bit of shopping thrown in. Abdul-Kasim Madrasah is one of the newer architectural treasures in comparison with the Barakhan and Kukeldash madrasahs. The first stone was laid in the early 19th century.
Despite its relative newness, the Abdul-Kasim Madrasah is one of the most imposing historical buildings in Tashkent. Situated in the southern part of "Old Tashkent" not far from the former Beshogoch Gates, today it is surrounded by modern architecture, including the Friendship Palace and many huge apartment buildings.
The Abdul-Kasim Madrasah is a monument to Abdulkasim khan, a great intellectual of his time. He was said to be able to recite the entire Koran by heart - a talent he reputedly passed on to all of his children. He paid about thirty thousand rubles for the construction of the madrasah, or teaching mosque. Every year he paid for the education of 150 pupils. He died in 1892 during a cholera outbreak.
Museums, Galleries & the Performing Arts
Museums
Museum of Applied Arts
Rakatboshi Street 15, it is open daily 10.00 - 17.00 closed Tuesday
The most interesting museum for first-time foreign visitors. Part of the museum was constructed at the end of the 19th century in the elaborate style of he period as the private house of a rich merchant. It now displays various types of national handicraft - suzannes, golden embroidery, ceramics, jewelry, wood carvings, rugs, musical instruments, etc. - and has a good quality gift shop offering modern handicraft, some antiques and many carpets.
State Fine Arts Museum of Uzbekistan
Mouvarounnakhr Street 16. Open daily 10.00 - 17.00, 10.00 - 14.00 Mondays, closed Tuesday
Boasts one of the richest collections of paintings in the former USSR. The collection is based on the private collection of Grand Duke Nikolay Konstantinovich Romanov, who lived in Tashkent at the beginning of the last century. Founded in 1918, the museum is one of the oldest in the country. Its collection includes Western, Russian, and Uzbek paintings, as well as sculptures and graphic art from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and France. Oriental art from Burma, China, Japan and India is also well represented. This museum also has a good shop with antiques and carpets.
Amir Temur Museum
Amir Temur Square
Working Hours: 10.00 - 17.00, closed Tuesdays
Newest museum with marvelous architecture and interior. Devoted to Amir Temur. Souvenir shop on lower level.
"...Timur was of a high and majestic stature, … with a high forehead, very strong, powerful and courageous, his complexion was white with a shade of red, but not dark, he was big-boned, with broad shoulders, … of perfect and strong build, with a long beard, his right hand and leg were handicapped … He did not like jokes, trickery and deceptiveness; amusement and entertainment were not to his liking either, he preferred the truth no matter how alarming and bitter it might be. He did not grieve over failures and did not rejoice in success, the inscription on his seal read "Rosti Rusi" which meant "Truth for security (Salvation)" ".
Museum of History of the People of Uzbekistan
Sharof Rashidov Prospect 3
Working hours: 10.00 - 17.00, closed Tuesday
One of the largest scientific research, cultural and educational history institutions in the republic. There are the following departments: Ancient History, Medieval History and the Modern History of Uzbekistan. The Museum's 8000 exhibits occupy 2000 square meters. There is a good antique shop, which you can find if you enter the building from the right-hand side doors.
Navoi Literary Museum
Navoi Avenue 69, one block east of Alisher Navoi Metro
Working hours: 10.00 - 17.00, closed Tuesdays
Small museum with replica manuscripts, Persian calligraphy and 15th and 16th century miniatures and memorabilia of the 15th century poet Alisher Navoi and other Central Asia literati.
National nature museum
Sagbon Street 16
Working hours: 10.00 - 17.00, closed Tuesday
Exhibits on the environment and natural surroundings of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries.
Central Asia Museum
Khamza street 71
Working hours: 10.00 - 17.30, closed Sundays
Displays national handicrafts, including textile products such as rugs, suzannes, and clothing from Uzbekistan and other Central Asia countries.
Tamara Khanum Museum
Pushkin - Pishpekskaya Street 1.
Working hours: 10.00 - 16.00
Stage clothes, photos, letters, awards, press coverage and the possessions of the Uzbek dancer and singer.
Art Galleries
Abdul-Kasim Madrasah
Corner of Olmazar and Uzbekistanskaya at the Druzba Norodov, next to the Parliament building.
Good place to buy lacquer boxes, wood carving and other crafts.
Afrasiab Arts Shop
Gogol Street 60, Union of Composers of Uzbekistan
Working hours: 10.00 - 17.00
Antiques, china, handicrafts, carpets, paintings, and glass.
Art Gallery Turkistan
Navoi Street 2, Concert Hall Turkistan
Working hours: 10.00 - 17.00
Permanent exhibitions of painting and applied arts.
Khamar Center of the Union of Arts of Uzbekistan
Sharof Rashidov Prospect 40
10.00 - 18.00, closed Sundays
Permanent exhibition.
In the 2nd c. BC Tashkent was mentioned as Shash, Chach, and Tashkura. Tashkent occupies a convenient position on the route of the Great Silk Road.
In 1949 archeologists discovered Buzgan-Tepa town. As a result the conquest of Kanguy (Khorezm) the town was destroyed. It became prosperous during the Kushan era of the 3th-4thc.
In the 7thc. Chach was the place where the Sogdian and Turk cultures met. In the same century Shash became a part of the Arab Caliphate, and the capital Chach was burnt.
In the 8thc. Chach merged with Ilak, famous for its gold and silver mines. The epic name of Ilak is "Turquoise mine".
In the 9thc. the area contained a large mint.
In the 10thc. the Northern part Tashkent was known as the Nazartepa settlement.
In the 10th-11thcc. Tashkent became the largest producer of Turkestan fabrics.
In the 11thc. the name Tashkent (Shashkent) after the previous, Binkent, came into use.
In 1220 Chach came under the power of the Mongols of Chengiz Khan. By the end of the 13th c. the town became the biggest on the path of the Great Silk Road.
At the beginning of the 15thc. the town came under the power of Ulugbek, Tamerlan's grandson.
In the 15th-16thcc. the buildings typical of the Temurids era appeared in the architecture of Tashkent. At the beginning of the 16thc. Tashkent became a part of the state of the Sheibanids.
By the 2nd half of the 16thc. Tashkent was within the borders of the Bukhara Khanate.
In the 16thc the architecture of Tashkent was supplemented with madrasse and mausoleums. The war of the dynasties was fought all over the Maverounnahr.
In the 18thc. Tashkent was intensively fortified.
In the 19thc. Tashkent was conquered by Alimkhan, the ruler of Kokand. At the end of the 19thc. Russia conquered the territory of Turkistan.
From 1881-1886 the first railway line from Tashkent to Orenburg was built.
Unlike the other capitals of Central Asia, the architecture of Tashkent didn't include buildings typical of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Tashkent architecture was different, being of its own school. Tashkent has been more commercially oriented, as trade buildings have predominated in its architecture.
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