For the first time Bukhara was mentioned by Chinese travelers, in the II century BC. In VI century AD, the city was mentioned by the Chinese under the names of Pu Ho, Nu Mi.
The origin of the city is connected with various legends and myths. According to one of them, the son of an Iranian king Siyavush arrived in Bukhara, he married the daughter of the king Afrasiab and built a fortress of Ark.
Narshahi, 10th century historian, a native of Bukhara, wrote that no city had as many names as Bukhara. The Chinese and the Uighurs call the city as Bukhar, which means "the location of the idols". Bartold, a famous Russian scientist, Bartold believes that the word "Bukhara" originates from the Sanskrit (ancient Indian) "Bihar", meaning "monastery".
All these terms are close to the modern name of Bukhara. Materials of archaeological excavations suggest that the city did not come later than I century AD. The antiquity of the city is also reflected in its cultural stratification, reaching in some places up to 20 meters deep.
The natural wealth of Bukhara oasis attracted the attention of neighboring countries and foreign invaders. In VI century BC Persian king Cyrus, later Darius, seized Bukhara land. The domination of the Persian kings in the territory of Bukhara lasted until 330 BC.
In 329 BC after the conquest of Iran by Alexander the Great, the territory of Bukhara (Sogdiana), as well as other areas of Asia, went into the possession of the Greeks. The Greeks reigned in Sogdiana untill II century BC, but the local population actively resisted the conquerors.
Since I century BC Bukhara was part of the Kushan state. It was one of the largest state associations in Central Asia. It is assumed that its center was in the area of modern Kata-Kurgan (80 km from Samarkand).
In the V century AD Bukhara became part of the state Ephtalits, whose capital city was Paikend, 40 km from Bukhara.
In VII century Arabs appeared in the historical arena. They captured Iran, Palestine, Egypt and other countries in a short time. In 709, the Arabs, after a bloody assault, captured Bukhara city. Before the conquest by the Arabs Bukhara was a major trading and cultural center of Central Asia. It had trade relations with Iran, India, China and other countries. The Arabs made local residents to convert into Islam.
Arabs' rule caused locan residents to revolt against them. One of the biggest rebellions of that time was under the leadership of Hashim ibn Hakim (Mukanna). This uprising became known as "The movement of people in white". It had a broad sweep and swept the area between the Syr Darya and Amu-Darya. But, despite the courage of the rebels the uprising was crushed. Ruling aristocracy of Arabs, frightened by the popular uprising, began to involve a local aristocracy in governing the country.
In the IX century large landowners from Balkh - Samanids, named after the founder of the dynasty, Ismail Samani, became the rulers of Bukhara. There was created large feudal state, which occupied almost the entire territory of Central Asia, with its capital in Bukhara. Crafts, trade and culture of Central Asia highly developed in this time. The external appearance of the city changed in a short time. Its population increased significantly. New neighborhoods, bazaars, shops appeared around Shakhristan.
The administrative center of the city was the Registan Square. There were Divans - the main state institutions. The territory of the city was protected by a large wall, which had 11 gates.
In the X century, Bukhara became a concentration of high-feudal culture. Many world-famous scientists, writers and artists worked here. Such as the historian Narshahi, poets Rudaki and Dakiki, physician and mathematician, scientist Abu Ali ibn Sina (Avicenna), historians Belazuri, Tabari, Ibn Miskaveyh etc.
In 999 the current territory of Bukhara was conquered by Karahanids - outsiders from Zhetysu (region of seven rivers).
Karakhanides had ruled until 1141, then Bukhara was captured by new nomadic tribes - the Kara-Kitai. Because of severe oppression the local residents uprised under the leadership of Malik Sanjar in 1206.
However, the neighboring state of Khorezm Shahs, using the existing situation in Bukhara, with own forces suppressed the uprising and seized Bukhara.
The richness of Bukhara oasis (Sogdiana) caught the attention of the new conquerors - the Mongols in the beginning of XIII century. Under the leadership of Genghis Khan they conquered a large part of Sogdiana. In 1220, Genghis Khan, through the treachery of the clergy and military commanders captured the city of Bukhara. After capturing the city, the Mongols plundered it. The inhabitants were enslaved. Farms were ruined.
In the second half of the XIII century Bukhara became gradually restored. Italian traveler Marco Polo, who visited Bukhara in that period, called it a great city of grandeur. Yet people could not humble with their terrible plight, and often uprised against the Mongols.
Amir Timur took advantage of the unstable situation in the region and came to power. In 1370 Bukhara became part of the Timurid state. Bukhara lost its political importance, since the city of Samarkand became the capital of the state. Under the grandson of Tamerlane - Ulugbek Bukhara became the cultural center of the feudal world.
In 1506 Bukhara was conquered by Shaybanids - a new dynasty, formed from the sedentary and nomadic Uzbek tribes. In the early years of their dynasty Samarkand still remained as the capital. Since the second half of XI century, under Abdullah Khan (1557-1598) Bukhara became the political center of state, after that the name Khanate of Bukhara fixed to it. During the reign Sheibanids there was noted a significant rise in the economy of the Bukhara Khanate. Most of the architectural structures, which mainly defined the appearance of the old city, were built during this period. In the second half of the XVI century Djuybar sheikhs, who owned vast lands in the vicinity of Bukhara (Chor-Bakr), played a large role in governing the state during the dynasty of Sheibanids.
In 1595 the Khanate of Bukhara began to be governed by a new dynasty - Ashtrahanids, named after the kings of Astrakhan.
By the end of the government of the dynasty (XVII century) the Khanate of Bukhara lost its economic and cultural importance. The decline of the economy of the Khanate caused reduction of construction in the city.
In 1740, the Persian king Nadir marched against Bukhara. Having conquered the Khanate of Bukhara, he left his successor - Muhammad Rahim there. The latter soon declared himself emir and founded Mangit dynasty (1753-1920 years) This dynasty lasted until the fall of the emirate. The Period of Mangit was the bleakest one in the history of Bukhara. Crafts, science, poetry, art of the time falled into decay. Trade also reduced.
In 60-70 years of XIX century royal government of Russia began capturing Bukhara Emirate. Bukhara emirate was not prepared for war with Russia. Its army did not pose a serious military force. In 1868 Bukhara troops were defeated in the bloody battles under Zerabulak. At the request of the Emir the peace was signed, according to which Russia established a protectorate over the Emirate.
In September 2 of 1920 Bukhara People's Revolution broke out in Bukhara. As a result of it the emir of Bukhara was dethroned and Bukhara emirate was been proclaimed Bukhara People's Soviet Republic, which existed until 1924. After that, Bukhara city, as the administrative center of Bukhara region, was included in the Uzbek Socialist Republic. |
