Andijan
Encyclopedia
Andijan or Andizhan is the fourth-largest city in Uzbekistan
, and the capital of the Andijan Province
. It is located in the east of the country, at 40°47′N 72°20′E, in the Fergana Valley
, near the border with Kyrgyzstan
on the Andijan-Say River. It has a population of 323,900 (1999 census estimate).
In subsequent years, in the process of archaeological research and excavations revealed findings related to VI-IV centuries BC found that cultural monuments associated with the ancient history of Andijan, are located in the South-Western or central part of the city-Sarvontepe and its environs. Approximately 4 metres deep was discovered archaeological complex 1 meter wide, built 2400-2600 years ago. According to excavations in 2007, the complex occupies an area of several hectares. Naturally, in the context of Central Asia will reclaim the farming population, lived and built large and small settlements close to the water. Andijan is no exception. According to the Academician A. R. Muhammadžanova, the origin of the term "Andijan" associated with water. In other words, the term Turkic-Mongol origin, had the meaning "settlement near the saya (water)".
In the first quarter of the 13th century, Andijan was the capital of Fergana region. Both Babur, Ark Andijan wrote on its largest was in Maveraunnahre following after Samarkand and cache. At that time in Andijan also operated his Mint.
Consequently, Andijan is located in one of the hotbeds of Central Asia, which appeared early farming, formed the first samples of urban culture. In this territory were the ruins of an early city Dalvarzina (IX-VII centuries BC) and the ancient city of Èjlatona (VI-III centuries BC). To its geopolitical location Andijan served as a bridge between Bactria, Sogdiana, Chach with China (East Turkestan).
Andijan was an important stop on the Silk Road
, lying roughly mid-way between Kashgar
and Khodjend
. Destroyed by Genghis Khan
, it was rebuilt by his grandson Kaidu Khan
in the late 13th century, and became the capital of Ferghana
for the next three centuries. It is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur
(Babur), who founded the Mughal dynasty that ruled much of today's India, Pakistan
, and South Asia
, born in 1483.
The city was the center and flashpoint of the Andijan Uprising of 1898
, in which the followers of Sufi leader Madali Ishan attacked the Russian barracks in the city, killing 22 and injuring 16-20 more. In retaliation, 18 of the participants were hanged and 360 exiled.
On December 12, 1902, much of the city was leveled by a severe earthquake, which destroyed up to 30,000 homes in the region, and killed as many as 4,500 residents.
, Andijan was separated from its historical hinterland
when the present borders were created, dividing Ferghana Valley between three separate Soviet republics. Andijan itself became part of the Uzbek SSR
. The borders did not make a great deal of difference during the Soviet period, as the entire region was developed to grow cash crops such as cotton and silk.
During World War II many Soviet citizens were evacuated to Andijan and the surrounding republics.
In the 1990s, though, the Andijan and the surrounding region became much more unstable. Poverty and an upsurge in Islamic fundamentalism
produced tensions in the region. The town, and the region as a whole, suffered a severe economic decline following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Repeated border closures badly damaged the local economy, worsening the already widespread poverty of Andijan's inhabitants. Islamic fundamentalists established a presence in the city. In May 2003, a local man named Azizbek Karimov was arrested and accused of carrying out terrorist bombings on behalf of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
. He was convicted and executed in April 2004.
, Uzbek Ikat and silk
.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
, and the capital of the Andijan Province
Andijan Province
Andijan Province is a viloyat of Uzbekistan, located in the eastern part of the Fergana Valley in far eastern Uzbekistan. It borders with Kyrgyzstan, Fergana Province and Namangan Province. It covers an area of 4,200 km2...
. It is located in the east of the country, at 40°47′N 72°20′E, in the Fergana Valley
Fergana Valley
The Fergana Valley or Farghana Valley is a region in Central Asia spreading across eastern Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Divided across three subdivisions of the former Soviet Union, the valley is ethnically diverse, and in the early 21st century was the scene of ethnic conflict...
, near the border with Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan , officially the Kyrgyz Republic is one of the world's six independent Turkic states . Located in Central Asia, landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east...
on the Andijan-Say River. It has a population of 323,900 (1999 census estimate).
Name
Arab geographers from the tenth century and later give the name as Andiyon, Andukan, Andugan, and Andigan. The etymology is unknown; the traditional explanation links it to the Turkic tribal name Andi.History
The city of Andijan is located in the eastern point of the chain of the first settlements of the early civilizations of Fergana Valley. Study of the history of Andijan began nearly 100 years ago. At different times in the city was historical-ethnographic and archaeological excavations scientists A.k. Pisarčik, v.i. Kozenkova, b. Abdulgazieva, s. Jalilov and others. Detailed archaeological research of the city were carried out in 80-ies of the last century by the Institute of archaeology of the Academy of Sciences. Information about the structural and spatial location of Andijan, meet on a topographic map, 1893. At stake were the quarters, mosques, mausoleums, the streets of the city. Archaeologists researching historical locations such as Andijan, Čordona, Sarvontepa, Âkkatepa, Koštepa, Ark ichi, Shakhristan.In subsequent years, in the process of archaeological research and excavations revealed findings related to VI-IV centuries BC found that cultural monuments associated with the ancient history of Andijan, are located in the South-Western or central part of the city-Sarvontepe and its environs. Approximately 4 metres deep was discovered archaeological complex 1 meter wide, built 2400-2600 years ago. According to excavations in 2007, the complex occupies an area of several hectares. Naturally, in the context of Central Asia will reclaim the farming population, lived and built large and small settlements close to the water. Andijan is no exception. According to the Academician A. R. Muhammadžanova, the origin of the term "Andijan" associated with water. In other words, the term Turkic-Mongol origin, had the meaning "settlement near the saya (water)".
In the first quarter of the 13th century, Andijan was the capital of Fergana region. Both Babur, Ark Andijan wrote on its largest was in Maveraunnahre following after Samarkand and cache. At that time in Andijan also operated his Mint.
Consequently, Andijan is located in one of the hotbeds of Central Asia, which appeared early farming, formed the first samples of urban culture. In this territory were the ruins of an early city Dalvarzina (IX-VII centuries BC) and the ancient city of Èjlatona (VI-III centuries BC). To its geopolitical location Andijan served as a bridge between Bactria, Sogdiana, Chach with China (East Turkestan).
Andijan was an important stop on the Silk Road
Silk Road
The Silk Road or Silk Route refers to a historical network of interlinking trade routes across the Afro-Eurasian landmass that connected East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean and European world, as well as parts of North and East Africa...
, lying roughly mid-way between Kashgar
Kashgar
Kashgar or Kashi is an oasis city with approximately 350,000 residents in the western part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. Kashgar is the administrative centre of Kashgar Prefecture which has an area of 162,000 km² and a population of approximately...
and Khodjend
Khujand
Khujand , also transliterated as Khudzhand, , formerly Khodjend or Khodzhent until 1936 and Leninabad until 1991, is the second-largest city of Tajikistan. It is situated on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley...
. Destroyed by Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan , born Temujin and occasionally known by his temple name Taizu , was the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death....
, it was rebuilt by his grandson Kaidu Khan
Kaidu
Kaidu was the leader of the House of Ogedei and the de facto khan of the Chagatai Khanate. He ruled part of modern-day Xinjiang and Central Asia during the 13th century, and actively opposed his uncle, Kublai Khan, who established the Yuan Dynasty in China until his death in 1301...
in the late 13th century, and became the capital of Ferghana
Fergana Valley
The Fergana Valley or Farghana Valley is a region in Central Asia spreading across eastern Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Divided across three subdivisions of the former Soviet Union, the valley is ethnically diverse, and in the early 21st century was the scene of ethnic conflict...
for the next three centuries. It is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur
Babur
Babur was a Muslim conqueror from Central Asia who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty of South Asia. He was a direct descendant of Timur through his father, and a descendant also of Genghis Khan through his mother...
(Babur), who founded the Mughal dynasty that ruled much of today's India, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, and South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, born in 1483.
The city was the center and flashpoint of the Andijan Uprising of 1898
Andijan Uprising of 1898
The Andijan Uprising of 1898 was a nationalist rebellion which occurred on . Over 200 lightly armed men attacked the Russian forces at Andijan , under the direction of the Naqshbandi Sufi sheikh "Dukchi Ishan" .Twenty-two Russian soldiers died, and 18 were wounded...
, in which the followers of Sufi leader Madali Ishan attacked the Russian barracks in the city, killing 22 and injuring 16-20 more. In retaliation, 18 of the participants were hanged and 360 exiled.
On December 12, 1902, much of the city was leveled by a severe earthquake, which destroyed up to 30,000 homes in the region, and killed as many as 4,500 residents.
Andijan during and after Soviet rule
During the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, Andijan was separated from its historical hinterland
Hinterland
The hinterland is the land or district behind a coast or the shoreline of a river. Specifically, by the doctrine of the hinterland, the word is applied to the inland region lying behind a port, claimed by the state that owns the coast. The area from which products are delivered to a port for...
when the present borders were created, dividing Ferghana Valley between three separate Soviet republics. Andijan itself became part of the Uzbek SSR
Uzbek SSR
The Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Uzbek SSR for short, was one of the republics of the Soviet Union since its creation in 1924...
. The borders did not make a great deal of difference during the Soviet period, as the entire region was developed to grow cash crops such as cotton and silk.
During World War II many Soviet citizens were evacuated to Andijan and the surrounding republics.
In the 1990s, though, the Andijan and the surrounding region became much more unstable. Poverty and an upsurge in Islamic fundamentalism
Islamic fundamentalism
Islamic fundamentalism is a term used to describe religious ideologies seen as advocating a return to the "fundamentals" of Islam: the Quran and the Sunnah. Definitions of the term vary. According to Christine L...
produced tensions in the region. The town, and the region as a whole, suffered a severe economic decline following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Repeated border closures badly damaged the local economy, worsening the already widespread poverty of Andijan's inhabitants. Islamic fundamentalists established a presence in the city. In May 2003, a local man named Azizbek Karimov was arrested and accused of carrying out terrorist bombings on behalf of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan is a militant Islamist group formed in 1991 by the Islamic ideologue Tahir Yuldashev, and former Soviet paratrooper Juma Namangani—both ethnic Uzbeks from the Fergana Valley...
. He was convicted and executed in April 2004.
May 2005 Massacre
On May 13, 2005, Uzbekistan's military opened fire on a mass of people who were protesting against poor living conditions and corrupt government. Estimated casualties range from 187 to 5,000. The government of Uzbekistan first blamed the murders on terrorists, but after the requests for independent investigations by Western countries, the government acknowledged its fault. The number of killed people is disputed, as no independent investigations were allowed.Economy
Andijan is an industrial center in an irrigated area that produces fruits, wheat, cottonCotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
, Uzbek Ikat and silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
.