Urda was the fortress, built by Kokand people after the conquest of Tashkent.
Contents
By the end of the 14th century as a result of large-scale urban development, Tashkent grew from a small trade and crafts village into a well-developed, fortified town – the outpost with the nomadic world. In 14th-15th centuries the city developed on the basis of existing in the preceding century urban formation with the center in Chorsu area. The road network of such streets as Kukcha, Chagatai, Sarban, Karasari, Beshagach, Kamalyan and Samarkand darbaza which had arisen in ancient times continued to function. The streets started from Chorsu area and dispersed radially to the ring of the city walls. With construction of a new citadel on the southern outskirts of the city (in Karatash area) Eski Juva territory lost its previous function of fortified settlement. During the region of Amir Timur Tashkent occupied about 400 hectares. Early Islamic Tashkent (Binket) comprises all manors, castles and villages located in the area between Djun and Chapanata channels. On the territory of external rabad of Tashkent (Binket) there was a place called Chorsu where Registan bazaar area promoted formation of the radial road network.
Construction Works
Tashkent after invasion of Chingizhan's army in 1220 was moved to another territory. Chorsu area and radial structure of the roads served as a basis for planning of new medieval Tashkent. As part of Amir Temur's state Tashkent received identical outer fortifications and a large citadel, which was adjacent to one of the defensive walls. The program of construction works in Tashkent did not include building of magnificent architectural ensembles. Amir Timur strengthened and developed Tashkent by increasing the number of the craft items for the army. He gave a military quartermaster character to the city; during 1366-1404 he prepared and started here for the military campaigns to northern and eastern states. For military purposes whole housing estates and classes of artisans were formed in Tashkent who came here from other localities of the state. All of them produced weapons and equipment needed for military expeditions.
Newly arrived people settled in free areas of the city and its suburbs. It formed the local housing estates by the type of Mahalla, with a single production bias. These settlements were fixed in the place names depending on the type of military product. In toponyms of a number of Tashkent residential areas of late 18th century the names of these housing estates preserved, although military and economic production was ceased long ago. For example: Ukchi Merganchi – manufacturers of arrows and bows, Egarchi – manufacturers of saddles for riders, Temirchi – blacksmiths, Dergyz – cast iron founders, etc. A large contingent of artisans was concentrated in Tashkent; this created a basis for formation of a skilled craftsmen class in the city, who contributed to widening of Chorsu bazaar - the main market for their products. At the end of the 18th century, an outside defensive wall was erected in Tashkent, which turned the city into a fortress. Today it is difficult to establish the wall’s site by archeological way, but its localization under written sources makes possible to determine the size and area of the city, as well as to reveal growth dynamics of Tashkent.
Location
The northern outside wall was at a distance of 3–4 km from Karakamysh village (customs). One of the walls, possibly Chigatai was located in Khatin-Kuprik area. Most likely the northern defensive wall run parallel to the late medieval street Alcha. Taking into account the north-west line of the defensive wall, the western section of the wall can probably be relate to street Langar. Historic name of the streets prompts to possible existence there of inns for caravans in the Middle Ages. Territory outside the city walls of street Langar, where Kosh-tout channel ran, was carved by ravines and served as a natural defensive barrier of the city.
The line of Southern fortification walls of Tashkent can confidently be drawn along the right, ravine bank of Chukur-Kuprik canal. In Chakar area, at the crossing over this water barrier there was Beshagach gate. Perhaps it was called as Kamalyan, because two roads came here: one from Beshagach area and the other from a small suburban village Kamalyan.
The western and southern sections of the defensive wall smoothly connected at Samarkand gate there was a medieval cemetery, which later, in the XVIII century was entered into the city limits. Place for a new citadel of Tashkent was selected on the southern outskirts of the city. Hilliy area with ravine bank of the ancient anal Chukur-Kuprik met many requirements of fortification. Security of Urda is provided with deep ravines outside and location of the citadel on the hill area dominating the city, as well as long range mapping. It was erected at the outer fortification of the city on the area of about 30 hectares. Such significant sizes sufficed for a complex of buildings, including governor's palace, buildings of his entourage, treasury, mosque, bath and military barracks and prisons located a little aside as a separate area.
Appearance
Like in many cities, considerable area of the citadel was sufficient for a small market and parade square for celebrations, sometimes with participation of troops. Part of the citadel could be occupied by gardens and sometimes a small cemetery in the form of generic necropolis of the rulers. Probably all this urban position existed in the medieval citadel. In Tashkent, research of the main governmental constructions of the citadel have not been performed yet. This area in the late medieval period was occupied by a housing estate, and the old Azlar mosque with a small cemetery was not dismantled as a religious construction of Art College (1970) the remains of the medieval bath were found.
Extant names of these areas – Eski urda (old citadel) and Kurgan tagi (place next to a fortress) contributed to localization of Urda of XV century in Tashkent. Perhaps they belonged to the citadel of the city that existed here in the late medieval period.
Artisan quarters were formed in the east of the citadel of Tashkent, but outside the city. That place was inhabited by professionals from different regions.
It demonstrates the existence of specific planning and building rules during the region of Amir Temur. If such standards were adopted, it is likely that fortifications elements – defensive walls and towers were built in accordance with them. Consequently, the walls of Tashkent, could be eight –ten meters in height, erected from pakhsa, had a gate at the approach of the main highways, and was additionally strengthen with towers in the most vulnerable places.