Full Description
Turkestan - the great landmass of Central Asia and Western China - is a unique meeting point of civilizations. The Great Silk Road that led to the nations and empires of the West ran through this vast and sometimes forbidding region and four major invasions (Greek, Arab, Mongol and Russian), together with Persian, Turkic and Chinese cultural influences, have made their mark on it. In this comprehensive account of the culture and history of Turkestan, Edgar Knobloch describes the major centres of civilization from the Caspian Sea in the west to the fringes of the Tibetan plateau in the east. He provides extensive information on the archaeological, architectural and historical features of a myriad of sites throughout the region. Photographs are supplemented by numerous line drawings, plans of the major cities, and sketches of principal monuments. This book should be a valuable guide to academics and interested travellers.
Contents
Part 1 The countriesarchitecture and architectural decoration; the sources. Part 2 Central Asia: Khorezm; the Zarafshan valley; Turkmenistan; the Amu Darya valley and southern Tajikistan; the Syr Darya and Ferghana valleys; Kazakhstan and Kirghizstan. Part 3 Xinjiang or eastern Turkestan: history; Urumchi, Turfan and Kucha; Tun-huang to Kashgar. Part 4 Afghanistan: history; the centre and the east; the west; the north; the south; appendix - aftermath of destruction.
