Andijan

For the village in Iran, see Andijan, Iran.
For the village in Buloqboshi District, see Andijan (village).
Andijan
Andijon/Андижон
Андижан
City
Above: Devonaboy Jome Mosque, Second: Statue of Z.M. Babur, Andhjan Chapel of Saint George, Third: Andijan State University, Zubayr Ibn Avvom Jame Mosque, Bottom: Panoramic view of Navoi Square (all relative items are left to right)
Andijan is located in Uzbekistan
Andijan
Andijan
Location in Uzbekistan
Coordinates: 40°47′N 72°20′E / 40.783°N 72.333°E / 40.783; 72.333
Country Uzbekistan
RegionAndijan Region
First mentionV-IV BC
Government
 • HokimBakhromjon Khaydarov
Area
 • Total74.3 km2 (28.7 sq mi)
Elevation
500 m (1,600 ft)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total547,800
 • Density7,400/km2 (19,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+5 (UZT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+5 (not observed)
Postal code
170100[1]
Area code+998 74[1]
Websitewww.andijan.uz

Andijan (sometimes spelled Andijon or Andizhan in English) (Uzbek: Andijon / Андижон / ئەندىجان; Persian: اندیجان, Andijân/Andīǰān; Russian: Андижан, Andižan) is a city in Uzbekistan. It is the administrative, economic, and cultural center of Andijan Region.[2] Andijan is a district-level city with an area of 74 km2 (29 sq mi).[3] Andijan is the most densely populated city and it had 547,800 inhabitants in 2022.[4] Andijan is located in a tense border region at the south-eastern edge of the Fergana Valley near Uzbekistan's border with Kyrgyzstan.[5]

Andijan is one of the oldest cities in the Fergana Valley. In some parts of the city, archeologists have found items dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. Historically, Andijan was an important city on the Silk Road.

The city is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Babur who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty in the Indian subcontinent and became the first Mughal emperor. Andijan also gained notoriety in 2005 when government forces opened fire on protestors, killing hundreds in what came to be known as the Andijan Massacre.

Andijan was developed into an important industrial city during the Soviet era. Manufactured goods produced in the city include chemicals, domestic appliances, electronics, foodstuffs, furniture, plows, pumps, shoes, spare parts for farming machines, various engineering tools, and wheelchairs.

Andijan experiences frequent seismic activity and was destroyed by a large earthquake in 1902.[6] This was the worst earthquake to occur in Uzbekistan in the 20th century.[7]

History

Toponymy

The origin of the name of the city is uncertain. Arab geographers of the 10th century referred to Andijan as "Andukan," "Andugan," or "Andigan."[8] The traditional explanation links the name of the city to the Turkic tribal names Andi and Adoq/Azoq.[9]

Early history

Andijan is one of the oldest cities in the Fergana Valley. In some parts of the city, archeologists have found items dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries.[9] Historically, Andijan was an important city on the Silk Road.[10]

The city is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Babur who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty in the Indian Subcontinent and became the first Mughal emperor.[11]

After the formation of the Khanate of Kokand in the 18th century, the capital was moved from Andijan to Kokand. In the mid-19th century, the Russian Empire began occupying the area of present-day Central Asia. In 1876, the Russians conquered the Khanate of Kokand and the city of Andijan along with it.

Andijan was the center and flashpoint of the Andijan Uprising of 1898 in which the followers of Sufi leader Madali Ishan attacked the Russian barracks in the city, killing 22 and injuring 16-20 more. In retaliation, 18 of the participants were hanged and 360 exiled.[12]

20th century

Muslim commoners from Andijan (安集延). Huang Qing Zhigong Tu, 1769

1902 earthquake

Main article: 1902 Andijan earthquake

On 16 December 1902, much of the city was leveled by a severe earthquake which destroyed up to 30,000 homes in the region and killed as many as 4,500 residents.[10][13] After Soviet rule was established in Andijan in 1917, the city quickly became an important industrial city in the Uzbek SSR.

Soviet era

During the Soviet demarcation of Central Asia,[when?] Andijan was separated from its historical hinterland as the Ferghana Valley was divided among three separate Soviet republics. Andijan itself became part of the Uzbek SSR.

During World War II, many Soviet citizens were evacuated to Andijan and the surrounding towns. Of the Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Poland and banished by the Soviets to Siberia and Central Asia, some relocated to Andijan starting in 1941.

Post-Soviet Islamic fundamentalism

In the 1990s, Andijan and the surrounding region became politically unstable. Poverty and an upsurge in Islamic fundamentalism produced tensions in the region. The town, and the region as a whole, suffered a severe economic decline following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Repeated border closures badly damaged the local economy, worsening the already widespread poverty of Andijan's inhabitants.

May 2005 massacre
Main article: Andijan massacre

On 13 May 2005, Uzbekistan's military opened fire on a mass of people who were protesting against poor living conditions and corrupt government.[14][15][16] The estimates of those killed on 13 May range from 187, the official count of the government, to several hundred.[14][17] A defector from the SNB alleged that 1,500 were killed.[18] The bodies of many of those who died were allegedly hidden in mass graves following the massacre.[19]

The Uzbek government at first stated that the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan organized the unrest and that the protesters were members of Hizb ut-Tahrir.[20] Critics have argued that the radical Islamist label has been just a pretext for maintaining a repressive regime in the country.

Whether troops fired indiscriminately to prevent a colour revolution or acted legitimately to quell a prison break is also disputed.[21][22][23][24] Another theory is that the dispute was really an inter-clan struggle for state power.[16] The Uzbek government eventually acknowledged that poor economic conditions in the region and popular resentment played a role in the uprising.[25]

Panorama of Navoi Square where the 2005 massacre took place

Geography

Andijan is located 450 metres (1,480 ft) above sea level on the southeastern edge of the Fergana Valley, near Uzbekistan's border with Kyrgyzstan.[9] By road it is 22 kilometres (14 mi) northeast of Asaka and 68.6 kilometres (42.6 mi) southeast of Namangan.[26]

Climate

Andijan has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with cold winters and hot summers, with a very continental climate, although winters are milder than one might expect for a location in Central Asia. Rainfall is generally light and erratic, and summers are particularly dry.

Climate data for Andijan (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 4.2
(39.6) 		7.9
(46.2) 		15.8
(60.4) 		23.0
(73.4) 		28.4
(83.1) 		33.4
(92.1) 		35.0
(95.0) 		33.4
(92.1) 		28.9
(84.0) 		21.5
(70.7) 		12.8
(55.0) 		5.6
(42.1) 		20.8
(69.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.1
(31.8) 		2.8
(37.0) 		9.8
(49.6) 		16.4
(61.5) 		21.6
(70.9) 		26.2
(79.2) 		27.9
(82.2) 		26.0
(78.8) 		21.0
(69.8) 		13.9
(57.0) 		6.8
(44.2) 		1.3
(34.3) 		14.5
(58.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −3.3
(26.1) 		−1.2
(29.8) 		4.8
(40.6) 		10.6
(51.1) 		15.1
(59.2) 		19.0
(66.2) 		20.6
(69.1) 		18.9
(66.0) 		14.0
(57.2) 		7.9
(46.2) 		2.3
(36.1) 		−1.8
(28.8) 		8.9
(48.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 21.7
(0.85) 		31.9
(1.26) 		32.9
(1.30) 		26.8
(1.06) 		25.0
(0.98) 		12.8
(0.50) 		4.8
(0.19) 		4.1
(0.16) 		3.4
(0.13) 		17.5
(0.69) 		30.3
(1.19) 		32.6
(1.28) 		243.8
(9.60)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 8 10 10 9 10 8 5 3 3 6 7 9 88
Average relative humidity (%) 84 81 72 62 54 46 50 57 60 68 77 86 66
Mean monthly sunshine hours 62.1 95.1 153.2 217.1 291.2 331.0 357.7 339.0 282.9 210.8 116.4 64.4 2,520.9
Source: NOAA (humidity 1961-1990)[27][28]

Fertile soils, abundance of heat and light, long frost-free period (about 210 days a year) favor the cultivation of heat-loving crops - cotton, mulberry, citrus and other subtropical crops in the vicinity of the city.

Andijan is surrounded by the foothills of the Pamir and Tian Shan mountains, which in summer are covered with snowy peaks, and in the lower reaches are enveloped by forest groves of walnut and coniferous forests.

Winters are usually mild and short. Winds are weaker than in the western parts of the valley, averaging 5 m/s, and average annual precipitation is 232 mm per year. Summers are comparatively less hot than in Central Asia.

Canals and rivers

Main water arteries of Andijan city:

  • "Andijonsoy" canal, which crosses Andijan from south-east to north-west (urban length of the canal is 20 km with stream bed width from 5 to 10 meters);
  • 2 rowing canals in the north-west suburb of Andijan (according to the new site plan they are not included in the city limits) are parallel and have a length of about 2.8 km with a width of 35-45 meters;
  • The Kara Darya River flows from the north-east to the north-west of Andijan and its suburbs 3-5 km from the city limits.

Despite the fact that in some places the urban neighborhoods of Andijan's suburbs and the buildings of the Tashkent State Agrarian University are adjacent to the river, the waterfront was not included in the new general plan of Andijan (adopted and approved in 2017) and in the city limits.

Vegetation

The vegetation of Andijan is diverse and rich. The city itself is decorated with exotic, ornamental, subtropical, fruit, citrus, nut, coniferous and deciduous crops of trees and shrubs. Floriculture and horticulture are widely developed.

In the years of Uzbekistan's independence, great importance was attached to planting exotic and subtropical crops to replace the year-round weedy chinar.

In the city streets, squares, alleys and near administrative buildings began to be planted:

  • exotic palm trees;
  • ornamental trees;
  • deciduous trees.

Conifers have been well established in Andijan for many decades, and over the last 25 years coniferous and fir trees have become very popular in the city (especially picea abies and blue spruce, archa, juniper, fir, cupressus, pine and cedrus).

Chestnuts and walnuts are also being planted in Andijan, almonds, pistachios, diospyros, elaeagnus angustifolia, jujube, pomegranate trees, wine trees (yellow and black figs), laurus and various fruit trees are growing in the courtyards.

Demographics

In 2022, Andijan had a population of 458,500.[4] Representatives of many ethnic groups can be found in the city. Uzbeks are the largest ethnic group.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
189757,000—    
1939105,000+1.47%
1959161,000+2.16%
1970188,000+1.42%
1985275,000+2.57%
2000333,400+1.29%
2010373,800+1.15%
2022458,500+1.72%
Source: [9][10][29][4]

Economy

Andijan has been an important craft and trade center in the Fergana Valley since the 15th century. After annexation by the Russians in 1876, the economy of the city started to grow significantly. Several industrial plants were built in Andijan after the city was connected with Russia with a railway line in 1889.[29] Several hospitals, pharmacies, banks, and printing houses were established in the city during that period. After Soviet rule was established in late December 1917, both light and heavy industries developed significantly. Andijan became the first city in Uzbekistan to be fully supplied with natural gas.[29]

Andijan remains an important industrial city in independent Uzbekistan. There are 48 large industrial plants and about 3,000 small and medium enterprises in the city.[9] Manufactured goods produced in the city include chemicals, domestic appliances, electronics, foodstuffs, furniture, plows, pumps, shoes, spare parts for farming machines, various engineering tools, and wheelchairs. Andijan is also home to over 50 international companies,[citation needed] five of which produce spare parts for GM Uzbekistan.

Etymology

The etymological interpretation of the origin of the name of the city of Andijan is rich and counts more than one folk legend:

  • The emergence of the city is associated with the name of the Turanian princess Adinajan, daughter of Afrosiab, the legendary ruler of ancient Turan. In search of healing opportunities, the gravely ill princess came to one of the mountain valleys in the foothills of Takht-e Soleymān, where she managed to overcome her severe chronic ailments. In honor of her healing, Afrosiab built a castle for the princess and planted an extensive garden in this miraculous valley with outlandish nature. Since then, this area, located in the lower reaches of the mountain river Oshsay, became known as Adinajan, and the city, erected there later, was turned by Afrosiab into the capital of his majestic Turan, the city of Andijan.
  • The origin of the toponym is directly connected with the Turkic-speaking peoples "Adok", "Azok" and "Andi". Folk rumor says that in ancient times these lands were inhabited by the Andi tribe, i.e. Hindus, and therefore the area was called "Andukan" (or "Hindu refuge").
  • The name of the city is connected with the name of the so-called "discoverer" of the region, who laid the foundation of the future city. His name was Andi. So, in honor of the ancient builder-architect the city was named "Andijan".
  • Russian historian V. P. Nalivkin supposes that the toponym "Andigan" appeared due to the name of the Turkic tribe Andi. The fact is that until some time residents of neighboring regions often called Andijan Uzbeks by the name of Andi, and claimed that Andi were of the same origin as those Turks who lived in the cities of Central Asia.
  • According to Vasily Bartold, Andijan was founded by Mongol Khans at the end of the XIII century. Turks from different tribes and clans were transferred here. At the end of the XV century Andijan was considered a predominantly Turkic city in Fergana.[30]
  • The state of Andia existed in the southern part of the Caspian Sea.[31]
  • Andi is a place of meeting and kurultais of Turkic tribes to solve friendly and important issues.

Education

There are four higher education institutions in Andijan City. Andijan state university, Andijan medical institute, Andijan machine-building institute and Andijan branch Tashkent state agrarian university. The Andijan Medical Institute is the largest of the four. In 2022, Andijan state institute of foreign languages was founded, being the only state institute where foreign languages are taught. The city is also home to four colleges, one academic lyceum, 21 vocational schools, 47 secondary schools, three music and art schools, nine sports schools, and 86 kindergartens.[29]

Main sights

Andijan Jame Mosque Complex architectural monument (late 19th century). It consists of a mosque, a madrasa, and a minaret. In the mid-19th century, the city status was granted to settlements with a mosque in Uzbekistan.[32] Complex Jami took place from 1883 to 1890.[33][32][34] The total area of the complex is 1.5 hectares.[34]

Notable people

Andijan (安集延) delegates in Peking in 1761. 万国来朝图
  • Nodira (1792–1842) — a poet and stateswoman[36]
  • Choʻlpon (1897–1938) — an influential poet, playwright, novelist, and literary translator[37]
  • Abbos Bakirov (1910–1974) — a film actor and director, People's Artist of Uzbekistan (1939)[38]
  • Halima Nosirova (1913–2003) — an influential opera singer, People's Artist of Uzbekistan (1937)[39]
  • Mukarram Turgʻunboyeva (1913–1978) — dancer, People's Artist of Uzbekistan (1937); generally regarded as the founder of modern Uzbek stage dance[40]
  • Shahodat Rahimova (1919–1979) — singer and actress, People's Artist of Uzbekistan (1940)[42]
  • Muhammad Yusuf (1954–2001) — poet and a member of the Supreme Assembly of Uzbekistan, People's Poet of Uzbekistan (1998)[43]

References

  1. ^ a b "Andijan". SPR (in Russian). Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Classification system of territorial units of the Republic of Uzbekistan" (in Uzbek and Russian). The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on statistics. July 2020.
  3. ^ Andijan city, Andijan region
  4. ^ a b c "Hududlar bo'yicha shahar va qishloq aholisi soni" [Urban and rural population by district] (PDF) (in Uzbek). Andijan regional department of statistics.
  5. ^ Laurelle, Marlene (2015). Globalizing Central Asia: Geopolitics and the Challenges of Economic Development. p. 126.
  6. ^ "Andijon | Andijon | Uzbekistan, Silk Road, Fergana Valley | Britannica". www.britannica.com.
  7. ^ "Europe and Central Asia Risk Profiles" (PDF). World Bank.
  8. ^ Pospelov, E. M. (1998). Geographical Names of the World. Toponymic Dictionary (in Russian). Moscow: Russkie slovari. p. 36. ISBN 5-89216-029-7.
  9. ^ a b c d e Ziyayev, Baxtiyor (2000–2005). "Andijon". Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ a b c "Andijon". Ensiklopedik lugʻat (in Uzbek). Vol. 1. Toshkent: Oʻzbek sovet ensiklopediyasi. 1988. pp. 42–43. 5-89890-002-0.
  11. ^ Manz, Beatrice Forbes (1987). "Central Asian Uprisings in the Nineteenth Century: Ferghana under the Russians". Russian Review. 46 (3): 267–281. doi:10.2307/130563. JSTOR 130563.
  12. ^ Khalid, Adeeb (1998). The Politics of Muslim Cultural Reform: Jadidism in Central Asia. Comparative studies on Muslim societies. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 59. ISBN 0-520-21355-6.
  13. ^ Kislov, D. (13 July 2007). "Paging through old journals: Evidence of the 1902 Andijan Earthquake". Ferghana (in Russian). Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Preliminary findings on the events in Andijan, Uzbekistan, 13 May 2005". Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Warsaw. 20 June 2005. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  15. ^ Beehner, Lionel (June 26, 2006). "Documenting Andijan". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  16. ^ a b Burnashev, Rustam; Irina Chernykh. "Changes in Uzbekistan's military policy after the Andijan Events". China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly. 5 (I): 67–73.
  17. ^ Usmanova, Dilya (July 2005). "Uzbekistan: Andijan - A policeman's account". Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  18. ^ Donovan, Jeffrey (1 September 2008). "Former Uzbek spy accuses government of massacres, seeks asylum". RFE/RL. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  19. ^ "The Andijan massacre a year after". Columbia Radio News. 10 June 2007. Archived from the original on 10 June 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  20. ^ "Border situation between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan returns to normal". ReliefWeb. 26 May 2005. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  21. ^ C. J. Chivers; Ethan Wilensky-Lanford (17 May 2005). "Uzbeks say troops shot recklessly at civilians". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  22. ^ "Uzbek troops clash with protesters". CNN. 13 May 2005. Archived from the original on 13 August 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  23. ^ "Uzbekistan: 'Bullets were falling like rain'". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  24. ^ Chivers, C. J. (23 May 2005). "Toe tags offer clues to Uzbeks' uprising". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  25. ^ "Uzbekistan: Karimov reappraises Andijon". RFE/RL. 19 October 2006. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  26. ^ "Andijan". Google Maps. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  27. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Andijan". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  28. ^ "Climate normals for Andijan". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  29. ^ a b c d Moʻminov, Ibrohim, ed. (1971). "Andijon". Oʻzbek sovet ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Vol. 1. Toshkent. pp. 359–360.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  30. ^ "В.В.БАРТОЛЬД О НАЦИОНАЛЬНОМ РАЗМЕЖЕВАНИИ В СРЕДНЕЙ АЗИИ". 2011-11-02. Archived from the original on 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
  31. ^ [Всемирная История 1995 год. Издательство Академия Наук СССР. с. 516—517]
  32. ^ a b "КОМПЛЕКС ДЖАМИ". www.centralasia-travel.com. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  33. ^ "Комплекс Джами, Андижан". www.advantour.com. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  34. ^ a b "МЕЧЕТЬ ДЖАМИ В АНДИЖАНЕ". bookatour.me. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  35. ^ Muhammadjonov, Abdulahad; Abdugʻafurov, Abdurashid (2000–2005). "Bobur" (PDF). Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent. pp. 424–430. Retrieved 7 June 2022.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  36. ^ Qodirova, Mahbuba (2000–2005). "Nodira". Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  37. ^ Karimov, Naim (2000–2005). "Choʻlpon". Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  38. ^ "Bakirov Abbos". Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent. 2000–2005.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  39. ^ "Nosirova Halima". Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent. 2000–2005.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  40. ^ Qodirov, Muhsin (2000–2005). "Turgʻunboyeva Mukarram". Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  41. ^ "Boruxova Fotima". Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent. 2000–2005.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  42. ^ "Rahimova Shahodat". Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent. 2000–2005.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  43. ^ "Muhammad Yusuf". Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent. 2000–2005.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  44. ^ "Ilatov, Robert (Personal Information)". The Knesset. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  45. ^ "Chagayev Ruslan Shamilevich". Oʻzbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi (in Uzbek). Toshkent. 2000–2005.{cite encyclopedia}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Andijan.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Andijan.