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Khujand

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Khujand is a very old city in northern Tajikistan.

Historical Musuem of Sughd
Historical Musuem of Sughd

It sits right on the Syr Darya river. The city is located at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. It is also very close to the borders of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. This city is the capital of the Sughd province. Today, it is the second-largest city in the whole country.

Tim Griffin Panjshanbe bazar - 13
Tim Griffin Panjshanbe bazar - 13

Most people who live here are ethnic Tajiks.

Many different groups have lived in Khujand over time. In the 8th century, the Umayyad Caliphate captured the city. Later, it became part of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. The Russian Empire also ruled the area during the 19th century. Between 1936 and 1991, the city was known as Leninabad. It was part of the Soviet Union during those years. In 1992, the city finally went back to its original name.

Syr Darya Oblast. City of Khodzhend. Market Square WDL10928
Syr Darya Oblast. City of Khodzhend. Market Square WDL10928

Khujand has a history that goes back 2,500 years. It may have been the site of a place called Cyropolis. This was founded by King Cyrus the Great. Later, Alexander the Great captured the city in 329 BC. He named it Alexandria Eschate, which means "Alexandria the Furthest."

Мечеть и голуби 1
Мечеть и голуби 1

The city was a very important stop on the Silk Road. This was a famous path for trade and culture. Many famous poets and scientists once came from this city.

There are many interesting things to see in Khujand. The Panjshanbe bazar is a huge covered market. It is one of the largest in Central Asia.

Tim Griffin Panjshanbe bazar - 13
Tim Griffin Panjshanbe bazar - 13

You can also visit the Khujand Fortress. This fortress is very old and has a museum inside. The museum is called the Historical Museum of Sughd Antiquity. The Sheikh Muslihiddin Mausoleum is another famous site. The weather here has hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters.

Khujand is a busy place for travel and learning.

Khujand (LBD - UTDL) AN2218848
Khujand (LBD - UTDL) AN2218848

You can fly to Dushanbe or Russia from the airport. There is also a train that goes to Samarkand. A long tunnel helps people drive between the north and south. Many students go to school here. The city has Khujand State University and a medical college. It is a major center for people in the region.

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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Syr Darya Oblast. City of Khodzhend. Market Square WDL10928.png
Syr Darya Oblast. City of Khodzhend....
File:Historical Musuem of Sughd.jpg
Historical Musuem of Sughd.jpg
File:Мечеть и голуби 1.JPG
Мечеть и голуби 1.JPG
File:Khujand (LBD - UTDL) AN2218848.jpg
Khujand (LBD - UTDL) AN2218848.jpg
File:Tim Griffin Panjshanbe bazar - 13.jpg
Tim Griffin Panjshanbe bazar - 13.jpg
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