Bukhara - The Religion City
Bukhara, one of Uzbekistans treasures, is a place rich in history and dramatic architecture. The citys most famous landmark, the Kalyan Minaret (dating back to 1127), is the greatest remnant of truly old Bukhara; Genghis Khan destroyed most of the city, but left the minaret standing, supposedly because he was struck by its beauty.
 The minaret, which draws visitors up its 105 steps to see a panoramic view of the city, was once the tallest structure in Central Asia. It has been called the Tower of Death, because, legend has it, executions were often performed by throwing the condemned from its heights. In truth, however, locals will tell you that only one such killing occurred from the tower.
Yet the city has witnessed some brutal executions; perhaps the most infamous were the killings of British officers Col. Charles Stoddart and Capt. Arthur Conolly in 1842. Victims of a misunderstanding between the Emir of Bukhara and the British government (which failed to supply its emissaries with the appropriate gifts and royal letters of introduction), the two were imprisoned in the Bug Pit at the Zindan (city jail), then forced to dig their own graves before their ceremonial beheading in front of the Ark (the Emirs palace).
The Ark now houses a museum on the citys history, and the Zindan is now a tourist attraction, showcasing such skin-crawling rooms as the Bug Pit, a torture chamber and the dungeons.
Bukhara, with its population of a quarter of a million, is a major tourist attraction for travelers following the old Silk Road. Celebrating its 2,500th anniversary in 1997, the city has been working hard to put its best old face forward. And though Bukharas mud-colored buildings are often a let-down to visitors whove just seen the dazzling mosaics of Samarkand, the citys subdued desert hues and centuries-old buildings exude their own exotic air of ancient culture.
Source: http://www.tashkent.org/uzland/bukhara.html
History and monuments
Before revolution Bukhara khanete was an independent state, staying in vassal agreement with Russian Empire according to "Friendship Treaty" from 28 September 1873.
Russia from early times had good trade and friendly diplomatic relations with Bukhara government. But during occupation of central Asia in 60-years of XIX , the war with the Kokand Khanete grew to battles with Bukharan Army. In 1866-68 such cities as Ura-Tyube, Jizzak, Samarkand, Urgut and Kattakurgan, previously belonging to
Bukhara were occupied. After the decisive war of June 2, 1868 in Zirabulaq mounds, the Bukhara khanete admitted its defeat in the war and from the lands lost by the emir, they established the Zarafshon region of Turkestan (the future Samarkand region). Further, in 1870 Bukhara was given the formerly occupied independent Shakhrisabz bekship and also some lands around Pamir, later making Eastern Bukhara.
Khanete in Bukhara was an absolute Monarchy headed by Emir, whose place was in Bukhara. Later emirs replaced each other (Muzaffar ad-din (1860-1885), Abdulakhad (1885-1911) and Alimkhan (1911-1920) were from Uzbek tribe of Mangits, having the title of sayids, which were originating from Muhammad the Prophet.
The capital of the country Bukhara had already been existing as a biggest urban centre in the times of Arabic invasion of Maverennahr. The oldest part of the city was the Ark, staying on the mound, watered by the Shahrud canal, taken from the river Zarafshon. Folk legends connect the Ark of Bukhara with the name of divine Siyavush-a personage from "Shahname" and Zoroastrian pantheon.
The city had a great number of Middle centuries architecture, among them are mosques, medresses, cemeteries and many other urban constructions, like trade cupolas, tims, caravanserays, bathhouses and more than 80 water-pools.
Brief historical dates:
-Persian Akhemenids took the city in VicB.C.
-329 B.C the city is taken by Alexander the Great
-A major city in Sogdian times, known as Numijkent
-In 709 Bukhara istaken by Arabs
-Bukhara the capital of Samanid empire in IX-Xcc
-In 999 Karakhanid occupation of Bukhara, in 1141 Karakitays took Bukhara.
-Khorezmshahspiower in Bukhara in 1206, the time if decline
-In 1220 Bukhara is invaded by Mongol Chengiskhan
-Records of Maroccan traveler ibn-Battuta about Bukhara
-In 1500 Muhammad Shayboniykhon entered Bukhara
-Short timed ru I ing of Bukhara by Bobu rand its alliance with Shiites
-Dynasty of mangit Emirs starting from 1 785 till 1920
What to see?
- The Ark Fortress
- 3rd century and the second time biggest erections built in XVIII-XIX centuries. Strongly fired by Red Army artillery in 2nd September 1920.
-Zindan of the Ark is an access to Old emir's conviction time and procedures.
-Registan in front of the Ark a square landing of caravan of merchants entering to
Bukhara.
-Mosque Boloyi-Hauz
(712) is a place on Fridays emirs came to wash their sins.
-Chashmayi Ayub mausoleum (1380).
-Ismail Samaniy mausoleum the monument X c, the pride of Bukhara architectural tradition, the mixture of early Sogdian fireworshipping and Muslim architecture.
Qush medresse Modarikhon (1566-67) and opposite staying Abdullalhon medresses.
>Masjidi Baland Mosque XVI century architectural gem.
Poyi Kalon Ensemble consisting of Kalon Minaret (919), the only minaret that, Chengiskhan preferred not ruin.
Masjidi Kalon Mosque dating back 795 created by the Arab ruler of the city, reconstructed in 1514 Shayboniy Ubaydullakhan.
Mir Arab medresse built in 1533 by Ubaydullakhan, under the supervision of Sheykh Abdulla from Yemen (Who was the prince of Arabs-Mir of Arabs).
Amir Olimkhon medresse Built bythe lastEmirOlimkhon in 1914.
Ulughbek medresse built by Ulughbek in 1417, one of the three medresses built by
him in Samarkand, Bukhara and Gijduvan.
Abdulaziz medresse (1652) has stunning interior design.
Bukharan Bazaars Toqi Zargaron, (Bazaar of Jewellers built in 1570), Abdullakhan Tim (1577), Toqi Telpakfurushon (bazaar of hat sellers), Bozori Kord (Knife sellers bazaars), Maghoki Kurpa Mosque (1637), Toqi Sarrofon (Money Changers bazaar).
Maghoki Attori Mosque erected in XII century. Gaukushan medresse(1 598) Ensemble Labi Houz (1620) - a water pool with tea house, surrounded by Nadir devonbegi Khanaqa (1630), the largest in Central Asia medresse Kukeldash (1568) and to the south with Jewish Quarter.
Chor Minor medresse (1807) Sitorai Mohi Khossa (built by Russians in 1911) the summer residence of Emir Olimkhon
 Bakhovaddin Naqshband Ensemble (XVc),- an ensemble of holy shrines devoted to the founder of Sufizm secta of Islam.
 Chor bakr Necropolis (XVIc) a cemetery of Sayid Abu Bakr and his three brothers Fazl,Ahmed and Hamid, they were descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.
A new Russian city built after Russian occupation of Bukhara (end of XXc) where the Russian Political Agency (Russian Embassy in alace, Russian Orthodox Church are the highlights of the city.
Source: Tashkentnama by Abdulaziz Muhammadkarimov
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