Tashkent History
Tashkent was firstly mentioned in "Avesta" and in ancient Chinese manuscripts. And this place proved to be a happy choice, because the city managed to survive in spite of all trials - wars, sieges and invasions. In the ancient chronicles the city was known under such names as Yuni, Chach, Shash… Judging from the accounts, the name "Tashkent" first appeared in the Turkic sources of the 9th - 12th centuries. The city has always served as kind of a link between the countries in the East and the West, in the North and the South. The advantageous geographical location and favorable climate made Tashkent one of the main points on the trade routes of the Great Silk Road.
Tashkent was born under the lucky star. The city lives and grows, constantly extending its borders. In the middle of the 19th century there were less than 100 thousand inhabitants, but at the beginning of the 21st century the population of Tashkent numbers more than 2,5 million people.
Tashkent is rich in archeological monuments. The scientists have investigated the capital of Uzbekistan as no other city of Central Asia. Ten years ago there were registered only 39 archeological monuments, but at present this number has increased up to 240.
The site of ancient settlement Shoshtepa, situated in the capital's outskirts, is called the progenitress of Tashkent. There was discovered the initial settlement here, which sprang up in the 4th - 5th centuries B.C. and in later period gave rise to the urban formation. People lived in mud-huts there and busied themselves with cattle - breeding and agriculture. They could make the molded ceramic dishes, had knowledge of weaving and melting of bronze and iron. A rather notable discovery made on the territory of Tashkent was monumental pise-building, which most likely was a citadel.
In Navoi Avenue, opposite the many-storeyed hotel "Chor-su", there is a well-preserved monumental building of Kukeldash maddrasah; behind it one can see the domes of the main mosque of Tashkent Djuma-mosque, associated with the name of its builder - the most outstanding religious figure of Temurid's epoch Khodja Akhrar, the native of Tashkent.
The rich cultural and spiritual heritage is reflected in the expositions of Tashkent museums. Among them we can point out the Museum of History of Uzbekistan with its unique numismatic collection, archeological finds and ethnographical relics. In the museum of the Temurids there has been displayed a rich collection of exhibits testifying to the formation in the Middle ages of a statehood on the territory of Uzbekistan, as well as evidencing the development of science, culture and art relating to the epoch of Amir Temur and his heirs. The richest collection of traditional folk art articles is presented in the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts.
Tashkent Underground is a unique engineering construction built in the area of high seismic activity. Its three lines connect the residential districts and industrial regions with the city's centers and each of its 29 stations, dressed in marble and granite, is decorated by the best painters and designers of Uzbekistan.
In the 20th century the city experienced two crucial events. The first was the destructive earthquake of 1966. The monument "Courage", constructed in the epicentre of the earthquake, reminds about this nature disaster, which put an end to the old one-storied Tashkent. Only "islands" of the old residential sites remained. The ruinous, but none the less unsubdued city immediately busied itself with frame and panel construction work, which gave the citizens a new level of comfort.
Another event, which changed the appearance of both the capital and the country itself, was the declaration of independence of Uzbekistan in 1991. The tall buildings made of glass and metal, many-level highway junctions, new parks, museums, fountains, in a short time made Tashkent a modern developed international megalopolis.
Within the last ten years a number of modern sport complexes, tennis courts, and swimming pools have been opened. The townspeople may spend their weekend in the Golf club on the "Rokhat" lake; they can enjoy a fabulous time in the "Aqua Park", or to have a rest in one of the comfortable hotels, situated in the picturesque Chimgan foothills or on the bank of the Charvak reservoir.
Today, the townspeople have the opportunity to satisfy the most refined tastes of theirs and to do shopping in the supermarkets and boutiques, where they are offered the fashionable garments and footwear from such famous fashion-houses as "Hugo Boss", "Armani" or "Valentino". Yet those who like exotics and inexpensive entertainment can visit the city center - Tashkent "Broadway" occupying Sailgoh mall. There are a lot of cafes and bistros, souvenir shops, stands with toys and bijouterie, funny ceramic figures, embroidery and varnished miniatures.
Those who like to relax after the strained day, in the evenings can go to the restaurants and night-clubs, where they can try the delicate dishes, listen to good music, watch fascinating shows. It is also possible to ascend to the viewing platform of the "Koinot" restaurant, situated at the height of one hundred metres above the ground on one of the layers of Tashkent TV tower, the highest one in Central Asia, and to watch the unforgettable panorama of the huge city with its avenues and parks, smooth water surface of the canals and artificial lakes, shining blue domes of the parliament - Oliy Majlis and City Khokimiyat, mirror-like windows of new high-rise residential constructions and office blocks, tall buildings of the hotels "
Intercontinental", "
Markaziy", "
Uzbekistan", "
Radisson SAS", of the National and Central banks, of International business center.
The contemporaries call the Uzbek capital "Star of the East" and "Ambassador of Peace". These names remarkably harmonize with the very essence of the city, which for more than 20 centuries has been symbolically illuminating the life of its citizens as well as of those on the way.
Historical and architectural monuments of Tashkent:
- Madrasah of Kukeldash, Tashkent (14th century)
- Mausoleum of Kaffal-Shashi, Tashkent (15th century)
- Architectural Ensemble Hazrati Imam, Tashkent (16th century)
- Madrasah of Abul Kasim, Tashkent (19th century)
- Madrasah of Barakkhan, Tashkent (16th century)
- Friday Congregational Mosque, Tashkent (19th century)
- Museum of Amir Temur, Tashkent
- Amir Temur Square, Tashkent
- Mustakillik Square, Tashkent
- Friendship square, Tashkent
- Monument of Courage, Tashkent
- Square of Hasti Imam, Tilla Sheyh Mosque, Tashkent
- Khadra Square, Tashkent
- Mausoleum of Sufi Ota, Tashkent
