Termez

Termez ota

Termez is the hottest point of Uzbekistan. It is in southern part of the country near the Afghan border. The city is situated on Amudarya – river bank. There are two versions of the origin of the word “Termez” – first is, it’s derived from Greek word “thermos” which means “hot” and the second, it came from Sanskrit word “taramato” or “taramito” with the meaning “on the river bank”.

An ancient settlement near Termez was discovered in the times of the Greco – Baktrian rule in 3rd – 2nd c. B.C. At the period of Kushans at 1st -2nd c of B.C., it was Buddism center . When the Arabs came in the 7th -8th c., the city became a center of Islam. One of the people born in Termez could be mentioned Said Baraka – a philosopher, war strategist and religious nobleman, and a teacher of Amir Temur. During Amir Temur’s time Termez continued to prosper, but it was destroyed at the end of the 17th century.

In 1897 the modern city emerged, with a Russian fortress and garrison. Termez was a primary transit point during the Soviet invasion (1979–89) of Afghanistan.Modern-day Termez bears few traces of its colourful cosmopolitan history. However, there are a lot of ancient monuments and sites attesting to more glorious times.

Termez City Tour TM1 – half-day

The Hakkim al Termezi Mausoleum (10th century).

The Fayaz Tepe Site consists of the archaeological remains of the 2nd century Buddhist temple and a monastery complex. The monastery was destroyed in the 5th century by Sassanids troops and later it was used as a burial ground.

The Buddhist monastery complex of Kara Tepe is unique in Central Asia, a rock-hewn Buddhist cave complex. But it is not always available because an access there necessitating an official permission.

Zurmala Tower (16 metre high) is situated 3 km southeast of old Termez. It is the 2nd century AD remnant of the largest Buddhist stupa in the region.

Mosque(12th century)and Timurid Khonako (15th century) grew up around the name of the saint patron of Termez, Sufi Abu Abdullah Mohammed-ibn-Ali-al-Termezi, nicknamed “al-Hakkim” (the wise). He was a ninth-century Sufi, jurist, mystic, philosopher and poet.

Termez City Tour TM2 – half-day

Kyrk Kyz Kala, which is translated as “Castle of forty girls”, is a fine example of Sogdian Feudal architecture of the 9th century.

The Sultan Saodat Complex was known as a family necropolis of Termez Sayyids – the descendants of the prophet Mohammed. It was founded by Sayyid Hasan al Emir in the 9th century and grew till the 15th.

Old Termez, the original, pre-Mongol city is 6 km northwest of the modern city.

Kokil Dara Khanagha is a very unusual memorial building of the 16th century with an imposing facade.

Djarkurgan Minaret (22 m) is 35 km from Termez in a small town of Djarkurgan.It is another monument of Karakhanid architecture and was erected in 1108. The trunk of minaret consists of 16 semicolumns laid of herringbone brickwork with band of Koranic inscription in Kufic style which suggests that the minaret was double linked and had 50 meters height.

Modern Termez City Tour TM3 – half-day

The Old Russian military fortress displays Soviet war machinery.

The History museum has a good collection of artifacts excavated from local archaeological sites.

Bridge of Friendship was the main entry point for Soviet troops into Afghanistan in 1979. It was built across the Amudarya, which is a natural border between two countries.