Termez celebrated its anniversary on April 2, 2002; it has a rich history. Termez played an important role in the cultural development of the peoples of Central Asia. It is one of the oldest cities that made significant contributions to the development of the Great Silk Road, which in its time was the main crossroads of world civilization.
Buddhism and related architectural traditions spread, namely through Termez in China and the Far East. The convenient strategic and geographical location of Termez attracted the attention of the rulers of many states. Therefore, it was repeatedly subjected to attacks from various conquerors. Termez was destroyed many times, and it rose from the ashes once again, regaining its former glory.
According to the legends, the founder of Termez is the first king of Bactria, Zoroaster. Even the Iranian Achaemenids, who conquered these areas in the VI century BC, called Termez the ancient city.
The earliest name of Termez that went down in history was Taramastha - Taramata (translated from Bactrian as "bank"). In 327 BC. Alexander the Macedonian, having conquered Termez, called it by its name - Alexandria. After Alexander the Macedonian, the founder of the Greco-Bactrian state, Demetrius called the city “Demetris”. In the I century BC, because of the defeat of the Greco-Bactrian state by the Kushan Empire, Termez, according to the written sources, was named Ta-li-mi, and Tu-mi (Tami) according to Chinese sources. Generally, Termez reached a high level of development during the Kushan period (I century BC - III century AD). During this time, Termez became one of the major cities through which India conducted trade with the West, North, and East. A lot of Buddhist temples and Muslim mosques were built in Termez.
During the V-VI centuries BC. Termez at first was under the yoke of the Ephtalites, then under the Iranian Sassanids. Since the VII century, the dynasty of the Termezshakhs had been ruling in Termez. In 705, the city was captured by the Arabs. In the IX-XII centuries, Termez, as a major feudal city, became the administrative, commercial, craft, scientific, and educational center. During this time, the length of the fortifications of the city was 10 kilometers. It had nine gates. At this time, world-famous writers, scientists, and theologians worked in Termez.
In the IX-XII centuries. Termez was in possession of the estates of the Gaznevids, Seljukids and Karakhanids, and in 1206 it passed in order of the state of Khorezmshakh Muhammad. In 1220, after a two-day siege, Termez was destroyed by the armies of Genghis Khan.
In the second half of the XIII century, Termez was rebuilt again and developed in a new area. With the transition to the state of the Timurids, the city continued its development and was named the "City - gulguda," that is, "bustling city".
Termez continued to grow when it passed into the possession of the state of the Sheibanids. Recovery work of the fortress of Old Termez was carried out, prayer houses, mosques, and minarets were built, and there was the development of science. Civil dissensions, wars in the second half of the XVIII century, and the struggle for the throne turned Termez into ruins. The remains of city walls, the Buddhist religious cave complex of Kara Tepe (II-III c), complex Fayaz-Tepa, the remnants of the feudal city of the IX-XII centuries, Mazar – place of pilgrimage (mausoleum) of Khakim at- Termezi (XI-XV centuries.), the unique building Kirk -Kiz ("forty girls"), the ensemble of mausoleums of Sultan Saadat (XI-XVII cc.), Kokidor-Ata mausoleum (XVI century), Dzhakurgan minaret (1109), Archaeological Museum of Termez, and many Muslim and Buddhist buildings of different epochs are very interesting sights.
In the second half of the XVIII century, in the south of Old Termez on the bank of the river Surkhandarya, Pattakesar village appeared. In a hundred years, present-day Termez was built in its place. The origin of new Termez coincided with the tension between Russia and England. In order to strengthen the influence in these areas, Russia took a series of military campaigns in Central Asia.
The treaty signed between Russia and the Emirate of Bukhara on 28 September 1873 strengthened Russian influence over the emirate. In the following decades, Russia expanded its strategic presence along the Amu Darya. On 15 January 1893, the Emir of Bukhara transferred Termez to the Russian ruler. Russian military units were subsequently stationed there because of the city's strategic location near the Afghan border. The development of transport and communications infrastructure, including river transport and later railway connections, contributed to Termez's growth as a military and strategic center on the Amu Darya.
After the October Revolution of 1917, Termez did not lose its military and strategic importance. Many buildings and structures were built during the Soviet government in Termez. There was a development of education and science; culture and art flourished.
Since the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Termez has become more beautiful, the city streets were widened, and the roads were restored. The majestic buildings were constructed in the oriental style; the market, park, modern administrative buildings, sports complexes, theaters, cinemas, and educational centers were renovated.
