Samarkand
Samarkand is the second-largest city in Uzbekistan. Samarkand is one of the ancient cities in the world that is considered a central part of the Sogdiana state. The Great Silk Road has been running via Samarkand for more than two thousand years. It was the turning point in trade relations between Europe and China.
Samarkand was the center of science and culture in the medieval East. In the 14th century, this city was the capital of the Timurid dynasty and the empire of Tamerlane.
Previously, the city of Samarkand had another name. It was called Sogdiana and Marakanda.
Scientists believe that the word "Samarkand" originated from a Turkic word "Semiz Kent," which means "rich settlement." Historians and scholars base their knowledge on Chinese sources.
Samarkand is one of the most ancient cities in the world. It was founded around the 8th century BC and is considered the same age as Rome.
This was the very first time this historical Uzbek city was mentioned in the chronicles of historians from Greece and Rome. They called this city Marakanda.
In the 4–5 centuries, the city remained under the authority of the Kidaritov and Chionites. In the 6th century, the Hephthalites conquered it.
In 567–658, Samarkand became the center of Sogd's reign. The city was dependent on the West and the Turkic khanates.
At that time, the official language was Sogdian. However, they often "flashed" words that have been borrowed from the Turkic language.
In Samarkand, when the Turkic dynasty of the Karakhanids ruled the city, the first mosques and madrassas were erected. The most famous in those days was the madrassas of Ibrahim Khan Tamgachis, which was built in 1040–1068.
Ibrahim ibn Nasr Tabgach Khan was the first ruler of the West Karakhanid khanate. He built a madrasa and a free hospital for all citizens. During his reign, many famous poets, scientists, and historians worked and lived in the city.
In 1212, there was a revolt by Osman, and after that, Samarkand became a part of the Khorezmshah state. In 1220, the town was completely plundered and destroyed by Genghis Khan.
During the Timurids' reign, Samarkand was reborn from sleeping districts to the capital of Tamerlane's empire.
In that period, many madrassas, monuments, schools, and cultural centers were built. These are the times scientists call the "period of the highest development" of the city.
Trade and crafts blossomed. Began to build different workshops where talented artists and masters could convey to students their secrets and skills.
Constantly, there have been new architectural monuments, mosques, palaces, and tombs. Amir Timur tried again to put together all the scientists, poets, writers, and musicians who had left town in a period of decline.
A mosque, Bibi Khanum, a Gur Emir mausoleum, Shadi-Mulk-aka, and many other architectural monuments were built.
After Amir Temur, Ulugbek ascended to the throne. The city became the center of world science.
Ulugbek continued the "tradition" of Timur and built a large number of universities and observatories. He was able to bring the best scientists together.
Samarkand remained the capital during the reigns of Sheibani Khan and Kuchkundzhi Khan.
Architectural construction continued. The city gradually built up with new scientific and Muslim buildings.
Under the rule of the Sheibanids, the famous Sheibani Khan Madrasah was built.
After the 17th century, the atmosphere in the city changed dramatically. Buildings were suspended. Over time, because of the earthquake and rain, most of the mosques came tumbling down. Nobody engaged in their reconstruction and renewal.
Today, Samarkand is a developing city and is considered the cultural and industrial center of Uzbekistan.
In 2001, Samarkand was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Our travel agency, "Orient Mice," will be happy to provide you with transport, hotel, and professional guides who will show you not only the city, but also tell you amazing stories about the architectural monuments of Samarkand.
Previously, the city of Samarkand had another name. It was called Sogdiana and Marakanda.
Scientists believe that the word "Samarkand" originated from a Turkic word "Semiz Kent," which means "rich settlement." Historians and scholars base their knowledge on Chinese sources.
Samarkand is one of the most ancient cities in the world. It was founded around the 8th century BC and is considered the same age as Rome.
This was the very first time this historical Uzbek city was mentioned in the chronicles of historians from Greece and Rome. They called this city Marakanda.
In the 4–5 centuries, the city remained under the authority of the Kidaritov and Chionites. In the 6th century, the Hephthalites conquered it.
In 567–658, Samarkand became the center of Sogd's reign. The city was dependent on the West and the Turkic khanates.
At that time, the official language was Sogdian. However, they often "flashed" words that have been borrowed from the Turkic language.
In Samarkand, when the Turkic dynasty of the Karakhanids ruled the city, the first mosques and madrassas were erected. The most famous in those days was the madrassas of Ibrahim Khan Tamgachis, which was built in 1040–1068.
Ibrahim ibn Nasr Tabgach Khan was the first ruler of the West Karakhanid khanate. He built a madrasa and a free hospital for all citizens. During his reign, many famous poets, scientists, and historians worked and lived in the city.
In 1212, there was a revolt by Osman, and after that, Samarkand became a part of the Khorezmshah state. In 1220, the town was completely plundered and destroyed by Genghis Khan.
During the Timurids' reign, Samarkand was reborn from sleeping districts to the capital of Tamerlane's empire.
In that period, many madrassas, monuments, schools, and cultural centers were built. These are the times scientists call the "period of the highest development" of the city.
Trade and crafts blossomed. Began to build different workshops where talented artists and masters could convey to students their secrets and skills.
Constantly, there have been new architectural monuments, mosques, palaces, and tombs. Amir Timur tried again to put together all the scientists, poets, writers, and musicians who had left town in a period of decline.
A mosque, Bibi Khanum, a Gur Emir mausoleum, Shadi-Mulk-aka, and many other architectural monuments were built.
After Amir Temur, Ulugbek ascended to the throne. The city became the center of world science.
Ulugbek continued the "tradition" of Timur and built a large number of universities and observatories. He was able to bring the best scientists together.
Samarkand remained the capital during the reigns of Sheibani Khan and Kuchkundzhi Khan.
Architectural construction continued. The city gradually built up with new scientific and Muslim buildings.
Under the rule of the Sheibanids, the famous Sheibani Khan Madrasah was built.
After the 17th century, the atmosphere in the city changed dramatically. Buildings were suspended. Over time, because of the earthquake and rain, most of the mosques came tumbling down. Nobody engaged in their reconstruction and renewal.
Today, Samarkand is a developing city and is considered the cultural and industrial center of Uzbekistan.
In 2001, Samarkand was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Our travel agency, "Orient Mice," will be happy to provide you with transport, hotel, and professional guides who will show you not only the city, but also tell you amazing stories about the architectural monuments of Samarkand.
