Bukhara is one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan, situated on a sacred hill, the place where sacrifices were made by fire-worshippers in springtime. This city was mentioned in the holy book "Avesto". Bukhara city is supposed to be founded in the 13th c.B.C. during the reign of Siyavushids who came to power 980 years before Alexander the Great. The name of Bukhara originates from the word "vihara" which means "monastery" in Sanskrit.
The region around Bukhara has been inhabited for at least five millennia and the city itself has existed for half that time. Located on the Silk Road, the city has long been a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion.
Bukhara has been one of the main centres of Persian civilization from its early days in the 6th century BCE
There are a number of images showing the city before restoration - photographs taken by various Russian and French scholars and photographers. Their names and dates of the photograph taken are noted on each image.
"Caught in Time: Great Photographic Archives - BUKHARA", Series Editor Vitaly Naumkin, Garnet Publishing 1992
Amu Darya River
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Water Level
Kyzyl Kum Desert (Red Sands)
Ubiquitous Donkeys
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Checkpoint
Caravanserai
Bukhara Vendors
Bazaar
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Pots Bazaar in Bukhara
Bazaars
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Silverward Made by Bukhara Craftsmen
Hammam Interior
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Gold Thread Embroidering
Decorated Bread - Non
Poi Kalon Ensemble
Poi Kalon Ensemble
Mir-I-Arab Madrassa
Kalon Minaret
Kalon Minaret with Kalon Mosque
The Kalon Minaret as seen from the Mir-I-Arab Madrassa