Shahruhiya
UzbekistanNational Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for UNESCO
Tashkent Region, Akkurgan District
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Description
A site of ancient settlement Shahruhiya (Sharkiya) located in 88 km to the southwest from Tashkent on the right coast of Syrdarya River. It is the first large city of Tashkent oases, situated on the Great Silk Road through Yaksart (Syrdarya). In the oriental sources, it was famous under the name Benaket and the portion of the Great Silk Road direction called by its name. It consisted of citadel, two cities' territories and wide tradecraft suburb-rabad, in total area - 400 hectares. Fortress walls with towers have surrounded by citadel, Shahristan and Rabad. The walls were kept better, which erected by Amir Temur, called Ancient Benaket by the name of his youngest son Shahruh in 1392. Archeological researches discovered fortification constructions, handicraft workshops of potters and glass blower, bazaars areas, systems of municipal improvements of the city and remains of the front residential constructions of the Epoch of Temurids and Uzbek Khanates. The memorial complex "Shomir-kara ovlia" functioned in the northwestern part of Rabad in XVI century. The traces of the memorial mosque of Abdullakhan I were preserved here, that was built for Shah Emir Asadulla, the ishan of Shahruhiya and marble grave. A site of ancient settlement of Shahruhiya existed from III-IV until XVIII centuries A.D. Originally, it was a small city at the passage, but it became a huge city at the X-XI cc. It was destroyed by Mongols, later has reconstructed by Amir Temur, and named as Shahruhiya. Since that time, it became an important economical and cultural center in the state of Temurids and Sheybanids. Here was functioned own mint. The city connected with the names of outstanding scientists, poets, penmen and artists lived here.
Statements of authenticity and/or integrity
The monument partly destroyed by Syrdarya River, the safety of other part of the city and necropolis of Uzbek elite is quite satisfied.Comparison with other similar properties
Safety of the architectural constructions of site of ancient settlement of Shahruhiya allows transforming after preservation it into unique city - museum on the Great Silk Road - the most valuable tourist object. Site of ancient settlement of Shahruhiya in many respects is original. In comparison with other similar monuments discovered an affinity to such largest monuments like Otrar (Kazakhstan) and Ahsikent in Syrdarya region (Ferghana, Uzbekistan).