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400
Indo-Iranians in Uzbekistan
(400 BC) The earliest known inhabitants of the Uzbekistan region were the Indo-Iranians. They migrated to the region around the second millenium BC. After the campaigns of Alexander the Great, trade along the Silk Road increased, and the area became an important trading center. -
Jan 1, 700
The Scythians dominate most of Central Asia
(700 BC) The Scythians were not a unified nation, but seperate tribes with similar languages and customs. They were an Iranian nomadic people, and were known as the Sakas to the Persians. -
Jan 1, 1218
Mongols begin rule of Central Asia
The Mongols were led by Genghis Khan and began a 200 year rule of Central Asia. They destroyed many cities and irrigation systems. -
Jan 1, 1370
Timur rises to power
A Mongol named Timur or Tamerlane was a ruthless conqueror until the year 1405. He supported the arts, literature, and science. He built many gardens, mosques, and palaces in his capital of Samarqand. -
Jan 1, 1460
Europeans isolate Central Asia
In the late 1400's the Europeans began to sail to Eastern Asia, avoiding the Silk Road, which caused a decline in trade with Central Asia and the area became isolated. -
The Kazakh Khanate
The Kazakhs emerged from various tribes of the region in about the 15th century, but there greatest accomplishments occured in the 16th century. In this century they developed a common language, economy, and culture. The Kazakh Khanate separated into the Senior, Middle, and Junior Hordes which were confederations based on extended family networks. Political disunion, competition among the hordes, and a lack of an internal market weakened the Kazakh Khanate. -
Rule of the Russian czars
The Russian czars conquered and colonized Central Asia in the mid-1800s. The conquest moved from North to South, and the settlers who followed irrigated and farmed the desert. The construction of railroads throughout the region offered better access to its resources. -
Russia dominates Kyrgyzstan
Russian troops defeated the Quqon Khanate and within five years occupied all of Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz began to integrate themselves into the economic and political life of Russia. Although the Russians built many schools and houses much of the population remained illiterate and continued their traditional lifestyles. -
The Soviet Union comes to power
Now under rule of the Soviets, Central Asian countries were changed into republics. Many Russians migrated to the area, and the Soviet union developed a cotton monoculture in the region. -
Central Asia declares independence
Upon the collapse of the Soviet Union, Central Asian republics declared their independence. Complex international boundries remain from the Soviet era, these boundries have now become difficult for governments to control. Problems include, countries having to share main rivers and irrigation canals, and the smuggling of illegal drugs.
