For lust of knowing what should not be known,
We make the golden journey to Samarkand.

John Elroy Flecker, Hassan

Samarkand was founded at the same time as Babylon, Memphis, Athens and Rome, Alexandria and Vicinity - almost 2500 years ago. It has been called the "Pearl of the Moslem World," "Eden of Ancient East," "Rome of the East," "Saikaly Ruiy Zamin," and "Peak of the Land."

Samarkand has been conquered by some of the most famous people of history - Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Tamerlane. Tamerlane made it his capital and named it the "Center of the Universe." Culture was developed and mixed with those of Iran, India, Persia, and Mongolia, and being the central part of the Silk Road, was influenced by China, the Middle East, and Europe. Samarkand saw its glory at the height of trade on the Silk Road, beginning in the 2nd century and lasting until the 16th century.

In May 1868, Samarkand fell to the Russian Empire, and became caught up in what is now known as The Great Game. Although not as important a city in Central Asia as Bukhara, Samarkand was a symbolic victory for the Russians. Under Russian rule the city changed its face; buildings and walls were torn down and the city was turned into a Russian military fortress.

After the Russian Revolution, Samarkand became capital of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, having held out for three years until 1920. Despite Soviet imports of factories and concrete buildings, the city remains one of the most historical and beautiful in Central Asia. Today, the newly independant Uzbek Republic is working to bring back the glory and beauty of its ancient pearl.

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