Uzbekistan more than any other country in the area is likely to play a critical role in shaping Central Asia's future. Situated at the heart of the region and sharing borders with all the other Central Asian states, Uzbekistan is the most powerful and populous of the new states of Central Asia. In this volume, the historical origins of Uzbekistan are explored and the range of political, economic and social challenges faced by the country since independence is charted. Particular attention is given to the emergence of highly authoritarian politics in the country and the implications of this regime for the prospects of economic development, ethnic peace, and the growth of political Islam. The emergence of Tashkent as a force in the international system and the importance of Uzbekistan to other countries in the area, to regional powers and to the leading western countries and international organizations is also examined.

Uzbekistan

“For those who still get their ‘-stans’ mixed up, Hiro’s book provides a detailed and nuanced overview of the region.” —Financial Times (Best Books of the Year) The nations of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Iran—the majority of them former Soviet republics—remain little understood in the West even in the post-Cold War era. This book delves into these Central Asian countries: their histories, cultures, economics, politics, militaries, and relationships with regional neighbors, Russia in particular. Ultimately, Inside Central Asia is an outstanding, in-depth introduction to this part of the world, “full of dependable history-telling and analysis” (The Economist). Praise for the work of Dilip Hiro “The writing is clear and informative.” —The New York Times “Hiro’s mix of lively writing and serious detail should draw in readers.” —Choice “Intriguing analysis.” —Publishers Weekly “[An] eminent historian.” —Kirkus Reviews

Inside Central Asia

This book describes the geography of Uzbekistan and its unique history and culture. It focuses on the development of Uzbekistan as a result of its location on the crossroads of the Silk Road. The influence of global and regional environmental challenges on the current landscape and similar issues are discussed and analyzed from a historical perspective. Contemporary tensions and reforms in social, economical and cultural life are described with the aim to draw a picture of modern paths to transformation and development. The Geography of Uzbekistan includes also information on geology, nature and natural resources, in particular water. The book discusses the social and environmental impacts of the Aral Sea disaster and shows new paths of transformation and development for this Central Asian country.

The Geography of Uzbekistan

History of Uzbekistan, Primary History. Ethnic Structure, Independence, Economy, Government. Culture, a Travel Guide. The first people known to have occupied Central Asia were Iranian nomads who arrived from the northern grasslands of what is now Uzbekistan sometime in the first millennium. These nomads, who spoke Iranian dialects, settled in Central Asia and began to build an extensive irrigation system along the rivers of the region. At this time, cities such as Bukhoro (Bukhara) and Samarqand (Samarkand) began to appear as centers of government and culture. By the fifth century., the Bactrian, Soghdian, and Tokharian states dominated the region. As China began to develop its silk trade with the West, Iranian cities took advantage of this commerce by becoming centers of trade. Using an extensive network of cities and settlements in the province of Mawarannahr (a name given the region after the Arab conquest) in Uzbekistan and farther east in what is today China's Xinjiang Uygur Auton-omous Region, the Soghdian intermediaries became the wealthiest of these Iranian merchants. Because of this trade on what became known as the Silk Route, Bukhoro and Samarqand eventually became extremely wealthy cities, and at times Mawarannahr was one of the most influential and powerful Persian provinces of antiquity. The wealth of Mawarannahr was a constant magnet for invasions from the northern steppes and from China. Numerous intraregional wars were fought between Soghdian states and the other states in Mawarannahr, and the Persians and the Chinese were in perpetual conflict over the region. Alexander the Great conquered the region in, bringing it briefly under the control of his Macedonian Empire

History of Uzbekistan, Primary History

This illuminating anthology provides a range of perspectives on daily life across Central Asia and how it has changed in the post-Soviet era. For its citizens, contemporary Central Asia is a land of great promise and peril. While the end of Soviet rule has opened new opportunities for social mobility and cultural expression, political and economic dynamics have also imposed severe hardships. In this lively volume, contributors from a variety of disciplines examine how ordinary Central Asians lead their lives and navigate shifting historical and political trends. Provocative stories of Turkmen nomads, Afghan villagers, Kazakh scientists, Kyrgyz border guards, a Tajik strongman, guardians of religious shrines in Uzbekistan, and other narratives illuminate important issues of gender, religion, power, culture, and wealth. A vibrant and dynamic world of life in urban neighborhoods and small villages, at weddings and celebrations, at classroom tables, and around dinner tables emerges from this introduction to a geopolitically strategic and culturally fascinating region.

Everyday Life in Central Asia

Maps and text chronicle the history of the Central Asian country that became independent of the Soviet Union in 1991.

A Historical Atlas of Uzbekistan

In Making Uzbekistan, Adeeb Khalid chronicles the tumultuous history of Central Asia in the age of the Russian revolution. He explores the complex interaction between Uzbek intellectuals, local Bolsheviks, and Moscow to sketch out the flux of the situation in early-Soviet Central Asia. His focus on the Uzbek intelligentsia allows him to recast our understanding of Soviet nationalities policies. Uzbekistan, he argues, was not a creation of Soviet policies, but a project of the Muslim intelligentsia that emerged in the Soviet context through the interstices of the complex politics of the period. Making Uzbekistan introduces key texts from this period and argues that what the decade witnessed was nothing short of a cultural revolution.

Making Uzbekistan

A fascinating insight into the author's journey along part of the Great Silk Road through Uzbekistan where he discovers a wealth of original and restored architecture dating back to the time when Genghis Khan came, conquered and destroyed it in the 13th century. Local hero Amir Temur (Tamerlane) rebuilt the stunning minarets, mosques, madrassahs and mausoleums to make it the centre of his great 14th century Empire. The Russians and the British played out their 'Great Game' espionage activities there in the 19th century.The country was part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991 and since then, as an independent country, Uzbekistan is now able to show its historical and architectural treasures off the world. The author takes you on a journey to the major sites in Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, many of which are now on the UNESCO World Heritage List. His anecdotal stories describe his experiences as he meets local people in the bazaars and relates historical events to modern day life.

Historic Treasures of Uzbekistan

Although Uzbekistan was established as an independent state in 1991, the rich history of the people and culture extend back thousands of years. Historical Dictionary of Uzbekistan covers several thousand years of Central Asian history, with emphasis on the period from the establishment of a territorialized entity under the Soviet regime called the Uzbek SSR, up through the period of the independent Republic of Uzbekistan. Historical Dictionary of Uzbekistan contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 400 cross-referenced entries on important personalities as well as aspects of the country’s politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Uzbekistan.

Historical Dictionary of Uzbekistan

The Age of Achievement

No description providedUzbekistan, located in Central Asia, has a rich history shaped by its position on the Silk Road, a key trade route connecting East and West. Ancient civilizations like Sogdia and Bactria flourished in the region before it was conquered by the Achaemenid Empire and later Alexander the Great. During the Islamic Golden Age, cities like Samarkand and Bukhara became centers of science, culture, and trade under Persian and Turkic rule. The Mongol Empire's expansion in the 13th century brought devastation, but Timur (Tamerlane) revived the region in the 14th century, establishing a powerful empire with Samarkand as its capital. Following centuries of shifting rule, Uzbekistan became part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century and later the Soviet Union, gaining independence in 1991 after the USSR's collapse. Today, Uzbekistan is a sovereign nation focusing on economic and cultural revitalization.

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History of Uzbekistan

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