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{{Short description|Archaeological site in Uzbekistan}} |
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'''Ahsikent''' (recorded as '''Akhsikath''' in [[medieval]] texts) is a site of ancient settlement. It is located on the right branch of the [[Syr Darya|Sirdarya River]] in the Turakargan district of the [[Namangan]] region of [[Uzbekistan]] ({{coord|40.886569|71.450602|scale:5000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}). It is currently under consideration for designation as a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]. The majority of population in Aksikent (like those of near-by [[Kosonsoy]] and [[Chust, Uzbekistan|Chust]]) are ethnic [[Tajiks]]. |
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[[File:Transoxiana 8th century.svg|thumb|right|300px|Map of [[Greater Khorasan|Khurasan]] and [[Transoxiana]] in the 8th century. Akhsikath is located on the upper right]] |
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'''Akhsikath''' ({{Lang-uz|Axsikent}}; also commonly known as '''Aksikent''' or '''Akhsi''') is an archeological site located in the [[Fergana Valley]] in [[Uzbekistan]]. A fortified city along the [[Syr Darya]], it lies 22km to the southwest of [[Namangan]] and covers an area of 30 hectares. The oldest parts of Akhsikath date from the 3rd century BC, but it peaked in size and importance during the 9th-12th centuries AD.<ref>{{Cite web |last=nargiza.zhetigenova |title=Ahsikent (Aksikent) |url=https://central-asia.guide/uzbekistan/destinations-uz/namangan/ahsikent/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Central-asia.guide |language=en-US}}</ref> Later, the city played a key role in the life of [[Babur]], founder of the [[Mughal Empire]], whose father ruled Fergana from Akhsikath. The city is described in the [[Baburnama]]. |
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== History == |
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"In all Fergana no fort is as strong as Akhsi. Its suburbs extend some two miles further than the walled town". Babur's description of Akhsikath in his chronicles, the Baburnama. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ancient Settlement of Aksikent |url=http://www.marcopolo.uz/en/attraction/289 |website=Marco Polo Central Asia Travel |date=July 5, 2022}}</ref> |
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Akhsikath was established by the 3rd century BC (source). It was a [[Silk Road]] caravan stop on the road west from [[Kashgar]], and it was known not only as a trading centre but also as a manufacturing hub: the [[Damascus steel]] produced here in kaolin-lined smelting furnaces here was famous as far away as Baghdad and Damascus.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Ibbotson |first=Sophie |title=UZbekistan |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |year=2020 |isbn=9781784771089 |edition=3rd |location=London |pages=137}}</ref> The wealth generated in and around Akhsikath made it an attractive target for invaders and so the city was repeatedly conquered, first by the [[Kushan Empire|Kushans]] and then by Turkic tribes. Most of our understanding about the city's earliest history comes from Chinese sources and from archeological excavations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kadiralievich Kozokov |first=Tohirjon |date=March 2020 |title=PROBLEMS OF SOURCE AND HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE AKHSIKENT |url=https://saarj.com/wp-content/uploads/special-issue/2020/ACADEMICIA-MARCH-2020-SPECIAL-ISSUE.pdf |journal=Academicia |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=29–33}}</ref> |
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Ahsikent occupies an area of more than 25 hectares. The city was founded between the 3rd - 2nd centuries B.C., and functioned up to 1219 A.D. It has been completely destroyed by Mongolian forces. The city structure consisted of the citadel, Shakhristan - the city itself and the ''rabad'' (suburb) of the city. All three parts of the city have been enclosed by the fortification. The palace of governors and zindan (prison) were situated in the arc. There was a city market, cathedral mosque, and a khouz, erected from baked brick in Shahristan. The craftsmen's area was located in the ''rabad''. Metallurgical production in Ahsiket was known far beyond [[Central Asia]]. It was the only place in Central Asia where very high-quality steel - known as Damascus or Damask steel - has been produced. At Ahsikent there was discovered a bath constructed in the 2nd century A.D. After the Mongolian invasion, new Ahsikent arose 5–6 km to the west of the ancient city. According to historical data, the known poet and historian - [[Babur]], grandson of [[Timur|Amir Temur]], was born here.<ref>http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5293/</ref> |
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By the 10th century, Akhsikath was one of the largest and most significant cities in the Fergana Valley. There were at least two mosques, a palace and prison, and a caravanserai, all surrounded by defensive walls and with their own water supply.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ancient city of Akhsikent {{!}} Uzbekistan Travel |url=https://uzbekistan.travel/en/o/ancient-city-of-akhsikent/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=uzbekistan.travel |language=en}}</ref> In spite of improvements to the fortifications, it was still vulnerable to attack, and it was sacked by both the [[Qara Khitai]], and then in 1219 by [[Jebe|Jebe Noyan]], one of [[Genghis Khan|Genghis Khan's]] commanders.<ref name=":1" /> |
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== World Heritage Status == |
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This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on 18/01/08, in the Cultural category. |
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In the 15th century, [[Umar Shaikh Mirza II]], father of the future Mughal Emperor Babur, ruled the Fergana Valley and chose Akhsikath as his main residence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ancient city of Akhsikent {{!}} Uzbekistan Travel |url=https://uzbekistan.travel/en/o/ancient-city-of-akhsikent/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=uzbekistan.travel |language=en}}</ref> Babur was most likely born in nearby [[Andijan]] but his history is inextricably linked with that of the fortress as this is where Umar Shaikh fell accidentally to his death in 1494, bringing Babur to the throne.<ref>{{Citation |title=Umar Shaikh Mirza II |date=2022-06-01 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Umar_Shaikh_Mirza_II&oldid=1090954140 |work=Wikipedia |language=en |access-date=2022-07-05}}</ref> Whilst attempting to conquer [[Samarkand]], Babur lost control of Akhsikath and Samarkand.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Eraly |first=Abraham |title=Emperors Of The Peacock Throne |publisher=Penguin Books Limited |year=2007 |isbn=978-93-5118-093-7}}</ref> |
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By the early 17th century, Akhsikath was in decline. What was left of the city was destroyed in an earthquake in 1620 and the inhabitants relocated to [[Namangan]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ancient city of Akhsikent {{!}} Uzbekistan Travel |url=https://uzbekistan.travel/en/o/ancient-city-of-akhsikent/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=uzbekistan.travel |language=en}}</ref> |
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== Archeological Excavations == |
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The first excavations of Akhsikath, which has been described as "Fergana's Afrosiyob" took place in 1885. It was led by the Russian orientalist and archeologist [[Nikolay Veselovsky]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |title=RALEINAD |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.5270/esa-twg4z1h |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=RALEINAD|doi=10.5270/esa-twg4z1h }}</ref> Subsequent excavations took place in 1913, 1939, 1960, and 1979. The bronzes found during these digs are in the [[State Museum of Oriental Art]] in [[Moscow]], and other finds are in the [[Louvre]] in [[Paris]] and national collections in Uzbekistan.<ref name=":2" /> |
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More recently in 2002, Professor Tilo Rehren from the Institute of Archaeology at [[University College London]] led the British-Uzbek archeological expedition at Akhsikath. The scientists discovered evidence that [[Damascus steel]], which is strong but also bendable and resistant to shattering, was produced here. In particular, they found fire-resistant crucibles made of kaolin, which could withstand temperatures of up to 1,300 degrees Celsius. Juniper wood, which can generate such high temperatures, was used for smelting, and the carboniferous iron ore came from nearby spurs of the [[Tian Shan|Tien Shan Mountains]].<ref name=":0" /> |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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* {{Encyclopædia Iranica | volume = 1 | fascicle = 7 | title = Aḵsīkaṯ | last = Bosworth | first = C. Edmund | authorlink = Clifford Edmund Bosworth | url = https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/aksika-aksikant-later-medieval-form-aksi-in-early-medieval-times-the-capital-of-the-then-still-iranian-province-o | pages = 538 }} |
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* {{EI3|last=Golden|first=Peter B.|authorlink=Peter Benjamin Golden|year=2009|title=Akhsīkath|url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/akhsikath-COM_22191}} |
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== Further reading == |
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* {{cite encyclopedia | title = Farḡāna | last = Bosworth | first = C. Edmund | url = https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/fargana | editor-last = | editor-first = | editor-link = | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica | pages = | location = | publisher = | year = 1999 | isbn = }} |
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<references/> |
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[[Category:Archaeological sites in Uzbekistan]] |
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Uzbekistan]] |
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[[Category:Namangan Region]] |
[[Category:Namangan Region]] |
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[[Category:World Heritage |
[[Category:World Heritage Tentative List for Uzbekistan]] |
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[[Category:Sogdian cities]] |
[[Category:Sogdian cities]] |
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Revision as of 15:00, 19 October 2023
Akhsikath (Uzbek: Axsikent; also commonly known as Aksikent or Akhsi) is an archeological site located in the Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan. A fortified city along the Syr Darya, it lies 22km to the southwest of Namangan and covers an area of 30 hectares. The oldest parts of Akhsikath date from the 3rd century BC, but it peaked in size and importance during the 9th-12th centuries AD.[1] Later, the city played a key role in the life of Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire, whose father ruled Fergana from Akhsikath. The city is described in the Baburnama.
History
"In all Fergana no fort is as strong as Akhsi. Its suburbs extend some two miles further than the walled town". Babur's description of Akhsikath in his chronicles, the Baburnama. [2]
Akhsikath was established by the 3rd century BC (source). It was a Silk Road caravan stop on the road west from Kashgar, and it was known not only as a trading centre but also as a manufacturing hub: the Damascus steel produced here in kaolin-lined smelting furnaces here was famous as far away as Baghdad and Damascus.[3] The wealth generated in and around Akhsikath made it an attractive target for invaders and so the city was repeatedly conquered, first by the Kushans and then by Turkic tribes. Most of our understanding about the city's earliest history comes from Chinese sources and from archeological excavations.[4]
By the 10th century, Akhsikath was one of the largest and most significant cities in the Fergana Valley. There were at least two mosques, a palace and prison, and a caravanserai, all surrounded by defensive walls and with their own water supply.[5] In spite of improvements to the fortifications, it was still vulnerable to attack, and it was sacked by both the Qara Khitai, and then in 1219 by Jebe Noyan, one of Genghis Khan's commanders.[3]
In the 15th century, Umar Shaikh Mirza II, father of the future Mughal Emperor Babur, ruled the Fergana Valley and chose Akhsikath as his main residence.[6] Babur was most likely born in nearby Andijan but his history is inextricably linked with that of the fortress as this is where Umar Shaikh fell accidentally to his death in 1494, bringing Babur to the throne.[7] Whilst attempting to conquer Samarkand, Babur lost control of Akhsikath and Samarkand.[8]
By the early 17th century, Akhsikath was in decline. What was left of the city was destroyed in an earthquake in 1620 and the inhabitants relocated to Namangan[9]
Archeological Excavations
The first excavations of Akhsikath, which has been described as "Fergana's Afrosiyob" took place in 1885. It was led by the Russian orientalist and archeologist Nikolay Veselovsky[10] Subsequent excavations took place in 1913, 1939, 1960, and 1979. The bronzes found during these digs are in the State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow, and other finds are in the Louvre in Paris and national collections in Uzbekistan.[10]
More recently in 2002, Professor Tilo Rehren from the Institute of Archaeology at University College London led the British-Uzbek archeological expedition at Akhsikath. The scientists discovered evidence that Damascus steel, which is strong but also bendable and resistant to shattering, was produced here. In particular, they found fire-resistant crucibles made of kaolin, which could withstand temperatures of up to 1,300 degrees Celsius. Juniper wood, which can generate such high temperatures, was used for smelting, and the carboniferous iron ore came from nearby spurs of the Tien Shan Mountains.[2]
References
- ^ nargiza.zhetigenova. "Ahsikent (Aksikent)". Central-asia.guide. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
- ^ a b "Ancient Settlement of Aksikent". Marco Polo Central Asia Travel. July 5, 2022.
- ^ a b Ibbotson, Sophie (2020). UZbekistan (3rd ed.). London: Bradt Travel Guides. p. 137. ISBN 9781784771089.
- ^ Kadiralievich Kozokov, Tohirjon (March 2020). "PROBLEMS OF SOURCE AND HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE AKHSIKENT" (PDF). Academicia. 10 (3): 29–33.
- ^ "Ancient city of Akhsikent | Uzbekistan Travel". uzbekistan.travel. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
- ^ "Ancient city of Akhsikent | Uzbekistan Travel". uzbekistan.travel. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
- ^ "Umar Shaikh Mirza II", Wikipedia, 2022-06-01, retrieved 2022-07-05
- ^ Eraly, Abraham (2007). Emperors Of The Peacock Throne. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 978-93-5118-093-7.
- ^ "Ancient city of Akhsikent | Uzbekistan Travel". uzbekistan.travel. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
- ^ a b "RALEINAD". RALEINAD. doi:10.5270/esa-twg4z1h. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
Sources
- Bosworth, C. Edmund (1984). "Aḵsīkaṯ". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica, Volume I/7: Ahriman–Alafrank. London and New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 538. ISBN 978-0-71009-096-6.
- Golden, Peter B. (2009). "Akhsīkath". In Fleet, Kate; Krämer, Gudrun; Matringe, Denis; Nawas, John; Rowson, Everett (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Islam (3rd ed.). Brill Online. ISSN 1873-9830.
Further reading
- Bosworth, C. Edmund (1999). "Farḡāna". Encyclopaedia Iranica.