Uzbekistan, in the ancient cradle between the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya
rivers, is the most historically fascinating of the Central Asian republics.
Within it are some of the oldest towns in the world, some of the Silk Road's
main centres and most of the region's architectural splendours.It occupies the heartland of Central Asia, sharing a border with all the
other 'Stans', which is one of the reasons why it considers itself the most
important of the former Soviet Central Asian republics.
Uzbekistan has well preserved relics from the time when Central Asia
was a center of empire, learning, and trade. Uzbekistan cities including
Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz and Tashkent live on in the imagination
of the West as symbols of oriental beauty and mystery.
Ancient cities of Uzbekistan were located on the ancient Silk Road, the
trading route between China and the West. The route took its name from silk, the
commodity most in demand in Europe from China during the Roman period. Some of
the most influential and savage conquerors came and ruled these lands. Alexander
the Great set up at least 8 cities in Central Asia between 334 - 323 BC before
the caravans began traveling through the Silk Road after around 138 BC China
opened its border to trade. Between 484 - 1150 Huns and Turks came from the west
and brought with them a new religion of Islam. Many mosques and Madrassahs were
built in Uzbekistan cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva during this period,
including remaining structures of the Samanids. Most of the cities were
destroyed during the invasion of the Genghis Khan in 1220. His descendant Timur,
known also as Tamerlane, resurrected once famous cities by using the labor of
slaves and artists captured during successful crusades. Timur conquered Persia,
captured Baghdad, and lead expeditions to Anatolia and India. Most of the
architecture that is found in Samarkand was build by Timur and his grandson
Ulugbek.
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