History of Tashkent
Tashkent-the capital of Uzbekistan
republic-is one of the ancient city appeared on the
cross of the Great Silk Road from China to Europe.
First information about Tashkent as city settling
is in the ancient east sources of the second century
before A.D. In China sources it was called Yuni; in
the inscription of the year 262 before A.D. of Persian
king Shampur the First on the “ Caaba of Zoroastrian”
Tashkent oasis was called Chach; in the transcriptions
of some china sources the city also was called Shi,
and in the Arabian-Shash. By the sayings of Biruniy
and Mahmud Kashgariy, the name Tashkent was appeared
from the Turkic sources of 9-12 centuries. In Russia
in 15th century it was famous as Tashkura.
Already in the ancient times advantageous geographical
location and favorable climate make Tashkent one of
the main points at the trade road of “ the Great
Silk Road”. In support of this suggestion by
archeologists of Uzbekistan in the south part of modern
Tashkent, irrigated by the Jun River, were found remains
of the settling of city type-Shashtepa. Ruins of defensive
armed wall, round citadel with building from the moisture
bricks and pahsa inside it were discovered. Outside
defensive wall of citadel included inside vaulted
corridor and was designed outside with tower shape
ledges, which means it was built taking into consideration
fortification motion of its time.
The main square of the old city market-Chorsu Square-appeared
in 9th century. Trade Roads came to Chorsu from all
gates, transforming to market streets. This square
was transport flyover and trade place.
In the 6th century Kukildosh Madrasah was built here.
Chorsu mahallya, Tikanli mazar, Chukur village were
situated on the modern part of Chorsu Square. In the
modern period Chorsu was reconstructed. GUM, Central
City Drugstore, Chorsu Hotel and other constructions
of modern architecture were built. Mahallya appeared
around old squares and market streets, which in most
cases were called by the activities of craftspeople.
For example, Padarkush Mahallya in Shayhantaur was
called earlier “Buzchi Mahallya”, which
means “block of weavers” (now it is microrayon
C-13). There were others mahallyas near: on the north-Arka-Kucha,
on the south-Dukchi, Zandjirlik, on the west-Pushtibag,
on the east-Kudukbashi. Deroz Mahallya or Degroz in
Shayhantaur got its name from “Degroz”-“founder
of boilers”. Here were 20 cast-iron workshops.
There was Ahunguzar mahallya in Sibzar daha, which
means “block of farriers”, here were situated
in big amount farrier’s workshops. And Tokli
Jallob mahallya got its name because people there
were trading cattle.
Since Tashkent was city of rich merchants and craftspeople
big architectural buildings were mainly tied-up with
constructions and design of caravanserais, mosques,
and mausoleums.
The earliest buildings that reached our time are mausoleums,
appeared along the caravan roads, they were devoted
to saint sheikhs, and they were not only the places
of worship, begging luck in life and trade work, but
also original landscape, decorating long boring way
on the desert roads.
In Tashkent City and along the routes to it remained
some ten of such mausoleums.
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