Bukhara is the magnet that has been attracting curious minds of millions of people. A major part of the human history is linked to this name. For centuries camel caravans from China to Europe and Arabian world along the Great Silk Road were carrying goods and, more importantly, the message about different civilizations and cultures. This message was absorbed and whimsically mirrored in Bukhara's architectural monuments and cultural identity of its inhabitants on the crossroads of ancient routes.
Bukhara is as old as its rival city, Samarkand, though its actual age is still in question. Now it is known that as long back as 2500 years ago an urban settlement thrived in the area. The city flourished in 9-10 centuries under the Samanid Dynasty. Overshadowed by Samarkand in Tamerlaine's time, it became more important as the capital of the Bukhara Khanate during the reign of the Sheybanid Dynasty.
Though considered as the Pillar of Islam and the religious capital of Central Asia, where some of the Prophet's kin and Islamic saints were buried, Bukhara was home for other religions, for example, a synagogue still operates here.
At all times it was a city of poetry and fair tales. Its famed scholars and writers such as Avicenna and Rudaki, made Bukhara's name known worldwide. Bukhara's people are hospitable and dignified, they are proud of their city and welcome guests.
The clergy of Bukhara, a city called Islamic Capital of Central Asia, at all times was hostile to Ulugbek. A man of knowledge and enlightenment, he chose conservative and strict Bukhara to build his first educational institution, and wrote on the doors of the madrassah that aspiration for knowledge must be a duty for each man and women of Islam.
In the madrassah's 80 cells students studied the Arabic language, geometry, astronomy and religious subjects from dawn till dusk. The study took from 15 to 20 years and for decades its knowledgeable graduates were replenishing the cohort of oriental scholars and poets.
We can consider Bukhara city like one of Uzbekistan’s treasures, is a place rich in history and dramatic architecture.
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