Bukhara history History of Bukhara: stretched back in centuries

Bukhara history

History of Bukhara: stretched back in centuries

Bukhara is very ancient city that in different times had been the center of different Empires and favorite place of many Great Dynasties. That is why Bukhara history is so rich and full with important events. It’s written in Shahnameh (which is very famous and very old wise poem in Iranian) that the founder of Bukhara was the King proudly named Siavash who belonged to mythical and legendary Pishdak Dynasty. The main reason why he chose this earth for his city is lucky location right on the Great Silk Road, good warm climate and many rivers.

But besides the legends and good old stories, there are exact historical facts in Bukhara history. Following them, the date of foundation of this city is 500 BCE. But before the city was founded, it had been already inhabited by people for quite a long time. The city was made from uniting of three separate settlements and building the defending wall around them.

Video about Bukhara history

500 BCE as the very important point in the history of Bukhara influenced on the city and world: this is exactly the time when it was famous as the vassal state of the Great Persian Empire. Later Bukhara was the center for first Greco-Bactrians, and Seleucid Empire and of course well known Kushan Empire. In Bukhara history is mentioned the fact that in those times Bukhara was quite prosperous city. But becoming the center of trade on the way of the Silk Road only made the city better and more prosperous. Those were the Gold time of the city. Around 350 BCE Bukhara history and the development of the city skipped on another level because of Hua tribes who came from Mongolia.

Before Islam became the main religion in Bukhara, there were two religions there – which are Manicheanism and Nestorian Christianity. But with the conqueror of Arabs not at once but gradually and with many years passed (after bloody and very exhausting legendary Battle of Talas) Islam became dominant religion and, as you know, it still stays this way.