Khorezm
Khorezm region is located in the western part of Uzbekistan. In the northwest and north it borders on the Republic of Karakalpakstan, in the south and west - on Turkmenistan, in the southeast, east and northeast - on the Bukhara region.
The territory of the region extends from northwest to southeast for 280 km in those latitudes where the city of Urgench is located (80 km from west to east).
The area of the region is 6300 km² (1.5% of the entire territory of the country), being with this indicator in 11th place among 14 subjects.
The word Khorezm was first mentioned in the sacred book of the Zoroastrians (fire worshipers) "Avesta". There are also suggestions that Khorezm, translated from the ancient Khorezm language, meant "low-lying land", "nurturing land".
From the VIII century BC. on the modern territory of the region, one of the most ancient states in Central Asia was formed, which was founded by the Khorasmians. The tribes of Massagets, Saks, Apasaks, Osos, Dakhovs, etc. also lived here.
In the 12th century, a powerful Central Asian state, Khorezmshahs, was formed. It reached its peak at the beginning of the 13th century under Ala ad-Din Muhammad II. But the heyday of the empire did not last long, and it fell from the invasion of the Mongols.
In 1512, a new dynasty of Uzbeks, who fell away from the Shibanids, became the head of an independent khanate in Khorezm. Initially, the capital of the state was the city of Urgench (formerly Gurganj), located on the territory of modern Turkmenistan. In 1598, the Amu Darya River receded from Urgench and the capital was moved to a new place - to Khiva.
The Khiva Khanate lasted until 1920.
It is believed that Toprak-kala was an ancient Khorezmian capital under the rule of the Afrigid dynasty. This dynasty established its power based on Toprak-kala, originally on the right bank of the Amu Darya. In culture, there are links and continuity with the Kushan kingdom, in the worldview of the population - the influence of Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and ancient Greek religious ideas. Ancient Khorezm writing was found in Toprak-Kala.
