Tajikistan
Tajiks are one of the most ancient nations of the world. Life in area situated at the main crossroads of eastern civilizations has given them continuous access to the achievements of other cultures. First settlement on the territory of today's Tajikistan date back to the end of upper Paleolithic period (15-20 thousand years ago). Archaeological finds, the works of Herodotus and other written evidence provide information on trading relations, customs, and rituals of the nation. For many centuries the country, involved mainly in trading with neighbors suffered from foreign invasions by the troops of Alexander the Great, steppe nomads, Arabs and Tatar-Mongols.
Tajikistan Destinations
Penjikent, Tajikistan
Ancient Penjikent it is Sogdian city, which flourished from the 5th to 8th centuries. It is well preserved and it was called “Central Asia’s Pompeii”. An opulent governor’s palace, homes, and temples can be seen. At one time Sogdiana controlled a key section of the Silk Road, but in the 8th century Empire collapsed and people fled to the mountains. Descendants of this ancient kingdom still live in the more remote regions of present-day Tajikistan name Jagnob Valley and still speak a remote dialect of Sogdian. City Sarazm, some 20 km from Penjikent, is one of the most ancient settlements of Central Asia, dating from the Bronze Age.
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Ura-Tube, Tajikistan
Ura Tube used to be the center of independent state which was governed by Uzbek rulers. In the beginning of the 19th century the city became the "apple of discord" between Bukhara emirate and Kokand khanate, and in the 1860s it was conquered by the Russian armies. The people of Ura Tube were unsurpassed masters-handicraftsmen. Their products - fabrics, footwear, fretwork decorated knives, utensils, embroidery - were highly appreciated in Central Asia.
Among the architectural monuments Kok-Gumbez (Light-Blue Dome) mosque constructed in the 16th century is the most known. To the north of the city are the remains of multikilometer Kampyrduval embankment which protected the city from attacks of nomads. Ura Tube is mentioned in the most ancient manuscripts of the world. Alexander the Great visited the city during the celebration of Navruz and was enchanted by its beauty.
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Kurgan Tyube, Tajikistan
The city is located in the upper part of a valley in the center of a rich oasis. Some historical data testifies that Kurgan Tyube emerged in the seventh century, according to the other it happened much later. The area occupied by modern Kurgan Tyube was known as Khuttal' in the Middle Ages. It was a huge territory between the Vakhsh and the Panj. During the most ancient period of its history Khuttal' was a part of Bactria. "Heavenly Racers" of Khuttal' were well-known in the ancient times. Khuttal' horses were the basis of Alexander the Great's cavalry.
No one from among the medieval geographers can give exact geographical borders of Khuttal'. However, it is well known that the capital of the area was the city of Hulbuk which "disappeared" for some reasons after the 12th century.
Khazrati Shoh Mausoleum
Khazrati Shoh Mausoleum located in Chorku, near Isfara, is of carved wood and dates back to 10th – 11th centuries. It is unique to Central Asia.
Khojand, Tajikistan
Khojand dates back to the 7th century BC and was a key crossroads on the Silk Road with routes branching off in all directions. At its height, the city was a religious center and today the magnificent citadel, the mausoleum of Shiekh Muslihitdin and an 18th-century mosque are among the monuments attract visitors. More about Khojand
Hissar Historic and Cultural Reserve, Tajikistan
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Located 30 km from Dushanbe (4-5 km from Hissar settlement) is one of the most important landmarks of Tajikistan - Hissar History and Culture Reserve. This name is related to archeological and architectural monuments of different ages found on its 86-hectar territory.
The reserve location - Hissar Valley - is a vast intermountain hollow with the rivers Kafirnigan, Karatag and Shirkent. People inhabited this place in the Stone Age, in the 4th-3rd millennia B.C. Later the valley territory was a part of Bactria, and then of Greek-Bactrian and Kushan states. This fact is proved by the remains of ancient settlement found by the archeologists. However, today only orbicular mounds called "tepa” - "a hill" - has survived. In the Middle Ages Hissar was known for its crafts and markets. In the 18th - 19th centuries it was known as Hissar province - one of 28 domains of Bukhara Emirate. Hissar fortress which has survived since those times is considered the most famous landmark of the reserve.
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Tajikistan useful links:
CIA - The World Factbook -- Tajikistan - Broad overview of Tajikistan's people, geography, government, economy, communications,
transport, military, and international issues.
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