Tashkent being the capital city of Uzbekistan is also the most populated city in both Uzbek republic and Central Asia. Total population is over 3 million people.
It is the most modern and developed city in Uzbekistan. It is also both commercial and political city of the country. It is said to be oen of the oldest cities in Central Asia around 2000 years old. It is definetly the oldest capital city in modern Central Asia.
Literally name Tash-Kent means Stone-Fortress title which was adopted in 11th century. In pre-islamic times city was called Chach. Later the town came to be known as Chachkand/Chashkand, meaning Chach City. The modern spelling of Tashkent reflects Russian orthography. However, after collapse of the Soviet Union city was renamed to more uzbek pronounciation - Toshkent.
The city was destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1219, although the great conqueror had found that the Khorezmshah had already sacked the city in 1214. In 1220 the city became part of the empire of Genghis Khan. In 1809, Tashkent was annexed to the Khanate of Kokand. At the time, Tashkent had a population of around 100,000 and was considered the richest city in Central Asia. In 1865, the Tsar’s forces took the city, establishing Tashkent as the capital of Imperial Russian Turkistan satrapy and, with the arrival of the Trans-Caspian Railway in 1889, the link with Russia was forged.
The following is the list of most ancient buildings in Tashkent: The Kukeldash Madrassah (XVII), the Sheikhantaur Ensamble (XV) and the Khazrati- Imam Complex (XVI). Also one may consider Alisher Navoi State Library, dating back to 1870 as another worth visitng and old building. Also Palace of Prince Romanov is another great building to visit.
During the 19th century Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich (1850-1918), a first cousin of Alexander III of Russia was banished to Tashkent for some shady deals involving the Russian Crown Jewels. His palace still survives in the centre of the city. Once a museum, it has been appropriated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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