Uzbekistan
Nukus is the capital of the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. It lies hidden in the remote western reaches of Uzbekistan. While it might not capture your attention at first glance and rarely tops the usual travel itineraries, the city offers unique experiences beyond the medieval monuments of the famed Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan. From […]
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Alexander the Great in Central Asia As I waited for my train on the platform of Tashkent’s Alisher Navoi metro station, my eyes wandered to the four disc-like medallions illustrating episodes from the poet’s magnum opus, the Khamsa. Named after the fifteenth-century poet and intellectual, who is celebrated as a national hero in modern Uzbekistan, […]
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Suzani Embroidery: What it is, where to see it, and how to purchase souvenirs In the markets and alleyways of cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Dushanbe, and Khujand, visitors quickly notice the colorful explosion of embroidered textiles. Pillows, bags, jackets, and table runners fill shop displays, each stitched with vibrant floral patterns. While they may […]
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Uzbekistan History Timeline: Key Periods from Prehistory to the Present Day 1. Prehistoric & Early Settlements (before 6th century BCE) Early settlements, such as Afrosiab (ancient Samarkand) flourished along river valleys; early farming communities in the Zarafshan (Sogdians) and Amu Darya (Khorezm) basins. Sites: Early layers at the Afrosiab (ancient Samarkand). 2. Achaemenid & Hellenistic […]
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