Lesson uzbekistan’s pearl. The Ferghana valley

Margilan 
Margilan is one of the oldest trading cities in the Ferghana valley
One of the oldest cities in Central Asia is Margilan. Margilan turned 2000 years old in 2007. In the XI century, Margilan was the largest city of the Ferghana oasis, famous for its silk fabrics, which merchants exported to Egypt and Greece, Baghdad, Khorasan and Kashgar along the great silk road. Even today, Margilan can be called the silk capital of Uzbekistan. It produces the famous "Khan-atlases", hand-woven and painted according to ancient technology.
For the first time Margilan is mentioned in written sources of the X century. This is one of the oldest trading cities in the Ferghana valley.it was well known not only among the rich agricultural oases of Central Asia, but also outside the region.Ancient Chinese written sources mention the state of Davan, which occupied the territory of the Ferghana valley (III century BC-II century ad). Its existence is documented by numerous monuments of cultural heritage-archeology and architecture, ceramic dishes, items of weaving production, spinning wheels and bone brushes "berdu" - for lining the threads on the fabric produced on the machine.


There are many facts confirming the origin and development of urban culture here, as well as the emergence of elements of statehood. Refined and elegant glasses made of thin Kuva glass in the 10th-12th centuries were the pride of local glassblowers, whose products were known in the East and West – in the countries of the silk road. An interesting fragment of pottery with an impression of woolen fabric - from a cloth template-a bag filled with sand, on which vessels were manually molded without a Potter's wheel. These materials play a key role in the story, because it was from that period that urban culture was born and developed, as well as elements of early statehood.
Margilan is located in the Ferghana valley, 15 km away. North of Ferghana and 85 km. from Kokand. There is no exact data on when and by whom the city was founded. There is a legend about the name of the city of Margilan, associated with the invasion of Alexander the great in Central Asia in the 4th century BC.when the locals learned about the intention of the Macedonian to visit their city, they solemnly welcomed the guests with chicken and bread, as the Romans love chicken meat. Alexander the great after the meal asked what the name of this dish was, he was answered by Murginon, that is, chicken and bread. From this time the name Margilan was given. Zahreddin Muhammad Bobur in his work "Bobur-nameh" noted that the city is famous for its orchards, sweet pomegranates and apricots.