Kitob

Located in the southwestern foothills of the Zeravshan Range, Kitob sits on the left bank of the Aksu River at an elevation of approximately 650 meters above sea level. Positioned 500 kilometers south of Tashkent, the town stretches along the major Uzbek highway, the Great Uzbek Road, which runs from north to south.

Kitob derives its name from the Uzbek word for «book.» However, the name likely evolved from an ancient term, carrying a different historical significance.

Kitob is notable for its historical and strategic importance. During the late 19th century, it was part of the Karshi Beksht, which was under the jurisdiction of the Bukhara Emirate. In 1868, this emirate came under the suzerainty of the Russian Empire, becoming a protectorate. That year saw unrest in the Karshi Beksht, with factions opposing the Bukhara Emir Mozaffar and supporting his elder son, Katta-Tyura, as the successor. In response to the rebellion, Russian forces, led by General Abramov, stormed the rebellious cities of Shaar and Kitob in 1870, leading to the reestablishment of Bukhara’s control over the Shakhrisyabz Beksht.

The town is also home to significant historical sites, including the mausoleums of Sheikh Darvesh Muhammad as-Samarqandi and Muhammad Imkanki. These sites reflect the town’s rich Islamic heritage and attract those interested in historical and religious tourism.

Kitob is known for its economic contributions, notably its silk weaving factory. Additionally, the town gained recognition for its fruit preserves and wines, a development initiated in the early 1940s. This production was significantly influenced by Crimean Tatar specialists who were deported from Crimea on May 18, 1944. The presence of these experts marked the beginning of Kitob’s reputation in the fruit and wine industry.

Moreover, Kitob hosts the Kitab International Latitude Station, established in 1930. This station is one of only five globally (with counterparts in the USA, Japan, Italy, and Uzbekistan) dedicated to studying Earth’s pole movements. It operates under the auspices of the Ulugh Beg Astronomical Institute of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences, based in Tashkent.