Product Code Database
Kokand ( ) is a city in Fergana Region in eastern Uzbekistan, at the southwestern edge of the Fergana Valley. Administratively, Kokand is a district-level city, that includes the urban-type settlement Muqimiy. The population of Kokand was approximately 259,700. The city lies southeast of Tashkent, west of Andijan, and west of Fergana. It is nicknamed "City of Winds".
Kokand is at the crossroads of the two main ancient trade routes into the Fergana Valley, one leading northwest over the mountains to Tashkent, and the other west through Khujand. As a result, Kokand is the main transportation junction in the Fergana Valley.
Another explanation claims a Turkic languages derivation, and might refer to the "tribal family group of 'Kokan' who belong to the Kongrat tribe of Uzbeks".Географические названия мира: Топонимический словарь. — М: АСТ. Поспелов Е.М. 2001.
Kokand has existed since at least the 10th century, under the name of Khavakand, and was frequently mentioned in traveler's accounts of the caravan route between South Asia and East Asia. The Han dynasty of China conquered the entire city in the 1st century BC. Later, the Arabs conquered the region from Tang Empire. The Mongol Empire destroyed Kokand in the 13th century.
In September 1918, Bolsheviks burned down the city and massacred over ten thousand citizens during their campaign against the Basmachi movement.
In the state of Dayuan
Archaeology research of Muyi Mubarak, Tepakurgan, Eski Kurgan and other located in the city of Kokand revealed traces of civilization.
In Muyi Mubarak were found several clay shards of the 5th to 6th centuries; a clay platform, which in the 5th to 7th centuries served as the base of a monumental building; the remains of a Fortification wall, built in the 1st to 2nd centuries of pahsa and , which functioned for more than 400 years. At a depth of 5 meters, a lower cultural layer with materials dating back 2,000 years was discovered.
In Tepakurgan, located in the center of the city, a platform from the Early Middle Ages, which served as the base of a monumental castle with semicircular towers, was discovered, as in Muyi Mubarak.
The obtained artifacts give grounds to say and speculate that not later than the 7th century BC a certain part of the territory of the present city was developed for Irrigation.
And the city appeared not later than the 2nd half of the 2nd century BC and was the center of the Sokh District oasis, that is, the Capital city of the regional possession, which was part of the confederal state of Fergana ("Dayuan" of Chinese annals).
Havokand or Hokand
Arab geographers and travelers of the 10th century, Istakhri and Ibn Hawqal mention the city of Khovakand or Khokand, which in distance corresponds to the present Kokand.
According to written sources and local legends, there were ancient cities of Akhsikath, Kubo (Quva), Rishton, Osh, Bab (Pop), Koson (Kashan), Mo-ar-gilon (Margilan), Andigan (Andijan), Uzgen, Isfara, Varukh, Sokh District, Konibodom and Khujand in Fergana already at the time of its conquest by Arabs who established Islam here (in the beginning of the 8th century).
Arab travelers of the 10th century mention many other towns and generally notice that, besides towns, there were many large villages in Fergana.
Havokand or Hokand, located on the Silk Road between India and China on one side and Iran and the Near East on the other, may have been a major trade center of its time. It was destroyed by the mongolic peoples in the 13th century.
Khudayar Khan commissioned architect Mir Ubaydullo to build him a royal residence with 114 rooms set around seven courtyards. The ruler wanted his mother to live in one of the palace's grand buildings, but she refused and set up her yurt in a courtyard.
The facade of the building is decorated with mosaic tiles and an Arabic inscription above the entrance. The inscription translates as “The High palace of Seid Mohammad Khudayar Khan”.
Most of the palace, including its harem, was demolished by the Soviet Union, but 19 rooms remain in palace. These are open to the public, and the interiors have been partially restored. They show a combination of Russian and traditional Uzbek styles, and the exquisite craftsmanship of Kokand's 19th-century artisans. It is possible to view the palace's collection of Chinese ceramics on request.
The mosque is built around a large courtyard and has a 100m long iwan supported on 98 redwood columns, which are ornately carved and were brought from India. The minaret is 22m high.
Although intended to be Kokand's main place of worship, the Juma Mosque remained shut for most of the 20th century. It then reopened after much needed restoration in 1989 and now houses a small museum of applied arts with displays of embroideries and ceramics.
The Narbutabey Madrassah was built in the 1790s. Its graveyard includes the tomb of Muhammad Umar Khan and his wife, the famous Uzbek poet Nodira. Known as the Modari Khan Mausoleum, it is ornately decorated with glazed blue mosaic tiles. Unlike the other madrassahs in Kokand which were closed by the Soviets, the Narbutabey Madrassah remained active as a place of Quranic study until 2016.
The last madrassah is the Dasturkahanchi Madrasa. It was built in 1833 as a school for boys, but it is now a training centre where girls learn embroidery.
There are 3 institutes there are "Kokand branch of Tashkent State Technical University(named after Islom Karimov)", "Kokand University(founded in 2019)", "Kokand State Pedagocical Institute", 9 colleges and , 40 secondary schools, 5 musical schools, a theater, and 20 libraries. There are 7 historical and house museums located in Kokand. More on Kokand
The first International Handicrafters Festival took place in Kokand in September 2019. It was hosted by the Uzbekistan Handicraft Association, and the guest of honour was Rosy Greenlees, President of the World Crafts Council. More than 600 creatives from 70 countries participated.
The festival was created to enable artisans from around the world to demonstrate and sell their products, as well as to network and further develop their skills. The festival included conference sessions dedicated to developing hand craftsmanship. The crafts on display included musical instruments, painting, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and woodwork.
It is planned that the festival will be a biennial event, and it will next take place in 2021.
Kokand is a center for the manufacture of fertilizers, chemicals, machinery, and cotton and food products. Over the last two decades, new districts and public buildings have been created in the city as well as many houses, shops, cafes, restaurants and other private sector ventures. Kokand is an education center with one institute, nine colleges and lyceums, and numerous museums.
|
|
