It is located in Vakhsh Valley (100 km to the south of Dushanbe). Some sources mention Kurgan Tube in the 7th century, others do it much later. The city perches in the top part of the valley in the center of a rich oasis. The territory of modern Kurgan Tube was known as Khuttal and city itself - as Levakend or Vakhsh in the Middle Ages. These places were famous for good shots and special breed of sheep.
Near Kurgan Tube, on the coast of the river Vakhsh, is an interesting historical place - the ruins of ancient settlement Lagman (10th -13th centuries). The archeologists found there the pipes of an ancient water pipe, the brick wells, and fortifications with towers. This city used to be a large settlement of ancient Bactria.
12 km to the east of Kurgan Tube stands a hill named Ajina-Teppe with the remains of Buddhist monastery built in the 7th -the 8thI centuries (sanctuaries, cells, vessels, sculptures, wall paintings) including a 12-meter figure of the lying Buddha.
Today Kurgan Tube is one of the largest cities of the republic, the regional center of Khatlon area. There are several large industrial enterprises, universities, colleges, licea, hotels. Not far from the city there is an airport; the new railway station has just been opened.
To find out about the history of the place one can in the Museum of History and Local Lore. The total number of its collection makes up 700 items. The museum "tells" the original story about the past and the present of the city. The main attraction of the museum is Teppai Kurgon and Rastai Kosibon diorama. First comes the picture showing the past of Vakhsh Valley where there was nothing but the burnt ground, the ruthless sun and rare caravans. Then before the eyes of spectators there is beautiful panorama of the new valley - with cities and modern buildings. The museum's collection contains a lot of the most interesting data related to national crafts of Tajiks such as suzane embroidery, ceramics, wooden and copper items.
Near the city of Kurgan Tyube, on the riverbank of the Vakhsh stands an interesting historical place - the ruins of Lagman settlement (the 10-13th centuries). In the middle of the 20th century the archeologists found the pipes of ancient water pipeline, the brick wells, and fortifications with towers. This city was one of the largest settlements of ancient Bactria and occupied a relatively big territory of 43 hectares.
Kurgan Tube - What to See:
| Hulbuk Khodzha-Mashad Ajina-Tepe |
Takht-i-Sangin Chali Char Chashma |
