At the initiative of the head of our state, in recent years, special attention has been paid to the development of tourism, in particular domestic tourism, in our country. A number of events and projects aimed at supporting the industry are being implemented in this direction. In particular, on the basis of the Order of the State Unitary Enterprise "CEMC" No. 27-F dated December 14, 2024, within the framework of the program "Journey to the Past" ("Moziyga sayohat"), employees of our service on January 17 of this year made a trip to the historical and cultural monument of our region - the Aksikent complex.
The Aksikent monument is located in the village of Shakhand in the Turakurgan district of the Namangan region, on the right bank of the Syrdarya, and is considered the ruins of an ancient city. According to historical data, the city of Aksikent arose in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC and in the 9th-10th centuries was the capital of the Fergana Valley. In 1219, it was completely destroyed by the Mongols. At a distance of 5-7 km to the west of the old city, a new city of Akhsi was built in the 14th-17th centuries. At one time, Aksikent was the center of great inventions, innovations and a center of civilization. The total area of the monument is about 100 hectares, of which 15 hectares are occupied by the western part (Garbiy works). Archaeological research of Aksikent began in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. In 1885, excavations were carried out by N. I. Veselovsky, and in 1914 - I. Kastanye.
West of the ruins of Aksikat, the remains of another medieval city were discovered. Based on the research conducted, Academician Ya. F. Gulomov and archaeologist I. Akhrorov were the first to prove the existence of two cities in this area dating back to different eras: one of them is ancient Aksikat, and the second is Akhsi, the birthplace of Babur.
During the visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Namangan region in 2019,
large-scale work was launched to study the true history of Aksikent and turn this territory into a tourist cluster.
Based on the research conducted, it was established that two cities of different periods existed here: ancient Aksikat and Akhsi, where Babur was born. The ruins of the second city, which the local population calls "New Akhsi" (Yangi Akhsi), are partially preserved under the village of Yakka yigit (Single man/Only man).
Currently, excavations are ongoing at the site of the ancient city.
At the beginning of the 9th-12th centuries, the craftsmen of Fergana - the city of
Aksikent - already possessed the secrets of producing hard and soft steel. The swords they made were sold in the east in China and in the southwest in the centers of the Caliphate - in the markets of Damascus. Some of the weapons known in medieval Europe as "Damascus swords" came from Fergana-Aksikent. A tourist visiting ancient Akhsi can stumble upon the remains of slag from steel production and the ruins of workshops at every step, confirming the above.
This monument plays an important role in increasing the tourism potential of the Namangan region. Presentations dedicated to ancient Aksikent are also held at domestic and foreign tourism exhibitions. Thanks to this, the interest of local and foreign tourists in the historical monument is growing.
Prepared by: Engineer of the 1st category of SEMC of Namangan region Kh.T.Boltaboev
