Margilan

Margilan, a city with a history spanning over two millennia, is nestled in the picturesque south of the Fergana Valley. Celebrated widely in 2007 for its 2000th anniversary, Margilan is renowned for its rich historical and cultural heritage, closely intertwined with the legacy of the Silk Road. Although the city’s foundation predates the Silk Road, the trade route significantly contributed to Margilan’s prominence as a center of silk production. By the 10th century, Margilan was already recognized as the largest city in the Fergana Valley, famed for its exquisite silk products.

A captivating legend surrounds the name of Margilan, linked to Alexander the Great’s visit. As the story goes, the local residents, in anticipation of Alexander’s arrival, prepared a special meal of chicken and bread. After enjoying the feast, Alexander inquired about the dish and was told it was called “Murginon,” meaning chicken and bread. Enamored with the meal, he named the area “Murginon,” which eventually evolved into Margilan.

Margilan’s fame primarily rests on its silk industry, a tradition that dates back to antiquity. The city has long been renowned for its silk fabrics, including the famed adras and khan-atlas. These beautiful textiles were exported along the Silk Road to destinations such as Baghdad, Kashgar, Khurasan, Egypt, and Greece. Today, Margilan continues to be recognized as the silk capital of Uzbekistan, where traditional techniques of weaving and dyeing are still practiced, producing the famous khan-atlas. Margilan’s embroidery, including suzani and skullcaps, further highlights the city’s rich textile heritage.

By the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Margilan had become one of the major cities in the Fergana Valley. It is notably the birthplace of Zahireddin Bobur, a great-grandson of Tamerlane and the founder of the Mughal Empire in India. Bobur, in his memoirs “Baburnama,” praised Margilan for its lush fruit orchards, sweet pomegranates, and dried apricots. The city was a favored rest stop for caravans, surrounded by greenery and inhabited by the industrious Sogdian people, known for their farming and horse breeding skills.

From 1598 to 1876, Margilan was part of the Kokand Khanate. After its incorporation into the Russian Empire, it became a district town. In the late 19th century, Margilan was fortified with adobe walls, towers, and twelve gates. The main streets extended from the gates to the city center, where the governor’s palace, Urda, and the bustling local market were located. Despite the passage of time, Margilan has retained much of its historical charm.

Margilan is home to several significant historical monuments. The Complex Pir Siddiq, an architectural ensemble, and the Mausoleum of Khoja Magiz are among the city’s most famous sites.