Uzbekistan has been around for centuries, bang in the middle of the Silk Route, one of humanity’s oldest frontiers of communication and trade. Yes, the one way way before the computers, internet, Google, Facebook et al.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The history of the land goes as back as the 8th century BC and has been ruled over by Persians, Greeks, Arabs and Mongols amongst several others. Centuries ago, the ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva were key trading centres and halt-spots for travellers from the East and West dealing in a variety of goods such as spices, livestock, slaves, pottery, jewels, fruits, fabrics, ceramics and silk, obviously.<\/p>\r\n

History books say the trade started in as early as the 4th century BC, when the Chinese imported mighty horses from Fergana to Xi’an to boost their armies. From horses, the trade ventured out into other goods and the Silk Road expanded over the next few centuries.<\/p>\r\n

In the West, it went through ancient Khorezm right upto the Caspian Sea, eventually out into Persia, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea which enabled trade with ancient Greece and Rome. In the East, trade flourished across Termez into norther Afghanistan and north India. Silk Road cities flourished immensely.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The most recent of foreign rule was of the Soviet Union, who had a stronghold in the region right unto the breakup of the USSR in 1991, which is when Uzbekistan was born, making it one of the youngest countries in the world. Today, it is one of 5 Central Asian nations, the others being Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Soviet hangover had remained for a good 25 years, till the death of the 1st President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov<\/strong> in 2016. Largely unknown to the outer world, Karimov had a poor human rights record and freedom of the press was limited under his rule. He, however, helped stabilise the nation post years of Soviet misrule.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Shavkat Mirziyoyev<\/strong>, his successor, has bought with him a much more relaxed outlook. This has led to a loosening of a lot of rules, many of which encouraged tourism into the fabled land.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The camels of yore have been replaced by cars, and noisy bazaars today are souvenir shops. However, these cities still retain so many of the relics of ancient Islamic architecture with a multitude of influences, which have traveled far and wide over the centuries.<\/p>\r\n

The major ethnic group in Uzbekistan are the Uzbeks themselves. However, you will find a lot of diversity across the country. The fertile Fergana valley is a melting potpourri of Tajiks, Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Karakalpaks, Russians and even 3rd generation Koreans (Stalin deported Koreans out of Russia into Central Asia in the 1930’s).<\/p>\r\n

While Uzbek<\/strong> is the official language, you will find the accent change all the way from the capital Tashkent to the far reach of Karakalpakstan, which is inhabited by ethnic Karakalpaks. Russian, however is widely understood and read in the Cyrillic alphabet. You will rarely find someone who knows English.<\/p>\r\n

Islam<\/strong> is the major religion. Uzbeks are quite moderate and don’t really follow a strict version – in fact the government frowns against it. Women dress freely in skirts and dresses and it is not mandatory for women to cover their heads even in religious places like mosques and madrassas. Needless to say, visitors are recommended to dress modestly.<\/p>\r\n