Margilan

Margilan – one of the oldest, most famous in the history of the trading towns of the Fergana Valley – was known not only among the rich agricultural oases of Central Asia, but also outside the region. This beautiful city is known for its national colors silk and embroidery, suzani and tyubetejka, which represent all the colors of the rainbow, skilled craftsmen and artisans.

2000 years ago there was an ancient settlement on the territory of Mahalla “Mashad” of Margilan. During the excavations, the ruins of an ancient temple and other archaeological finds were found here.

Margilan is first mentioned in written sources of the X century. In old Chinese written sources the empire “Davan” in the Fergana valley is mentioned (3rd century BC – 2nd century AD). Among the discoveries of the monuments of Margilan are: the ancient settlement of Karadarya, the Karkidon vineyard and the fire temple (II – V centuries AD) Kizlartepa; the site of Quva (7th – 10th century AD) and the famous sculptures of demons from its Buddhist temple; samples of Sogdian and runic writing on shards of vessels (VI – VII century AD). A.D.); Ahsikent, a famous ancient settlement, is the birthplace of the famous Damascus steel, where not only the earliest specimens in the world have been found, but also workshops with production tools where these unique blades were made have been excavated.

Fine silk produced in the city and its district was exported to Europe and the East along the ancient routes of the Great Silk Road. Evidence of this are ancient silk fabrics and garments (6th – 7th century AD) found on the Munchaktepa in the reed sarcophagi.

Margilan became famous among merchants as an important centre of crafts, trade and the birthplace of famous scientists, writers and theologians. On November 16, 2000 the 910th birthday of the great Eastern thinker, famous scientist and theologian Imam Burhoniddin al-Marginony (1118-1197) was celebrated. He is the author of the “Al-Hidoya” (“true way”) of 57 books, famous in the Islamic world of work, which has been recognized for eight centuries as the most authoritative and perfect legal source. This classic work has been translated into European languages with many commentaries and explanations. Here is a complex with the mausoleum of its master Pir Siddiq, which includes a mosque, a minaret, a courtyard with a tomb (1742), a barrack and a dovecote.

Of special interest are the monuments – the mausoleum of Khoja Magiz (18th century), Said Ahmad-Khoja Madrasa, Toron Bazaar Mosque (end of 19th century) and Chakar (1911). One of the most famous monuments of the 19th century is the madrasah of Said Ahmad-Koja Eshon. He was a famous scout. In 26 cells of the madrasah modern craftsmen are engaged in gold embroidery, making carpets and satin (silk weaving), jewelry, wood and metal products on old machine tools.