SAMARKAND – BRIEF HISTORY
There are cities which centuries-old history embodies the history of whole
nation and countries, reflecting the way passed by many generations. Samarkand is
one of the most ancient cities in the world. As other first centers of humancivilization - Babylon and Memphis, Athens and Rome, Alexandria and Byzantium- Samarkand was intended to go through many events and shakes.
History of Samarkand goes back in remote days. Archeological finds andchronicle records of eyewitnesses and ancient historians allowed to establish withfull reliability that a man lived on the territory of modern city many centuries before
the Common Era.

Advantageous geographical location, rather favorable climate, abundance of
natural springs with fine water, nearness of mountains with large wild fowl, flowing
Zarafshan river - all these factors always provided favorable conditions for humansettlings in that area, where strong walls, castles, majestic buildings and temples ofSamarkand raised some centuries before the Commune Era.

One of the oldest cities in Central Asia, Samarkand was given the recognition
it deserved in 2001 when UNESCO assigned it World Heritage Site status,
acknowledging its importance as a crossroads of ancient cultures. This unique city
has played a seminal role in the development of Islamic architecture and the arts.
Empire after empire blew through, each leaving its mark. Alexander the Greatconquered the city in 329 BC when it was already the flourishing capital of Sogdia,
known to Greeks as Marakanda. It’s generally held that Alexander was so impressedthat he said: “Everything I have heard about Marakanda is true, except that it is more
beautiful than I ever imagined”.
Over the history the city saw half-savage tribes of Sacs and Massagets, ironflanks of Greek-Macedonin army, hordes of cruel Kara-Kidani. The city withstoodinvasion of the Arabs, who brought with them a new religion - Islam. Bloody hordesof Ghengis-Khan attacked peaceful houses with fire and sword. Samarkand became
the capital of Great Empire of Tamerlane, ranged from Ind River to Bosfor.
After Timur’s death all his empire came to the power of his children andgrandchildren. Samarkand and surroundings devolved to Ulugbek, Timur’sgrandson. Ulugbek ruled Samarkand during 40 years. For the whole history Uligbek
was the most peace-loving ruler. He almost did not participate in aggressive
campaigns over ruling his state. He visited other countries many times but only to
study traditions, culture, and customs of those countries. He was great scientist,
astronomer, and mathematician; therefore he brought many scientists from different
countries for science development in his county.

14-15th centuries is the period of the Golden Age of the city. City construction
is at its zenith: the city is surrounded by strong fortified wall, new streets, paved ofstone, are laid through the city, blue domes of magnificent ensembles tower above
the city. Most of these objects survived our days and are the main symbols of thecity.
Today Samarkand like most cities of Central Asia is divided into two parts:
old and new city. New part is an administrative part of the city, including industrial
and cultural centers, high educational institutions. Old part of the city includes
historical monuments, shops, workshops, old private houses. Generally, anexcursion is held in the old part of the city. Samarkand numbers 500 thousands
people. This is multinational city, more that 100 nations live in Samarkand.
Samarkand takes second place in Uzbekistan by number of population and territory.