INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 03,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 915
MAHMUDKHOJA BEHBUDI AND THE NATIONAL AWAKENING: THE ROLE OF
“OYNA” MAGAZINE IN SHAPING UZBEK CULTURE, EDUCATION AND IDENTITY
Rasulova Zebiniso Hakim kizi
International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan
1st year master's student in linguistics
Annotation:
This article explores the pivotal role of Mahmudkhoja Behbudi in the national
awakening movement in Uzbekistan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It highlights
his contributions to the development of Uzbek culture, literature, and press, particularly through
the establishment of the first Uzbek-language magazine, “Oyna”. The article emphasizes
Behbudi's efforts to promote education, preserve the Uzbek language, and revive national values.
It also discusses his reforms in the education system and his advocacy for modern thinking and
social change.
Key words:
National Awakening, uzbek culture, “Oyna” magazine, education reform, uzbek
language, press development.
At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, national awakening movements
intensified sharply in the countries of Asia and the East, including Uzbekistan. During this
period, the preservation of Uzbek culture and language, as well as the awareness of their past,
strengthened among the Uzbek people, and ideas of national liberation gained momentum.
Moreover, Mahmudhoja Behbudi's role in Uzbek culture and press holds a special place as one
of the main symbols of the national awakening. Behbudi not only contributed to the development
of Uzbek literature but also played a significant role in shaping national pride through his
reforms in the fields of press and education. The national awakening movement in the East,
particularly in Uzbekistan, strived to achieve its ultimate goals in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries. One of the main ideas of this movement was to call upon people to understand their
history and culture. During this period, the peoples of the East aimed to preserve their national
independence and develop their language and culture. The colonial policy of the Russian Empire
and its impact on culture intensified the people's need to preserve their identity during this
process. Prominent figures who actively participated in this movement, including Mahmudkhoja
Behbudiy, played a crucial role in achieving the goals of national awakening and rousing the
people through a different approach. Behbudiy's role in the press and his place in Uzbek culture
are of particular significance. One of the most important aspects of his work was the
development of the Uzbek language and its widespread promotion in the press.
Behbudi's role in the press and his place in Uzbek culture are of particular importance. One
of the most significant aspects of his work was the development of the Uzbek language and its
widespread use in the press. Notably, the magazine "Oyna" is considered the first Uzbek-
language periodical founded by Behbudi and published under his editorship. Its inaugural issue
was released on August 20, 1913. The printing house and head office of the magazine were
located in Samarkand, and the publication's title was written on the cover in Arabic, Uzbek,
Persian, and Russian: "Mir'ot," "Ko'zgu," "Oyna," and "Zerkalo" respectively. The magazine was
published weekly, with each issue comprising 24 pages. Talented writers from Samarkand,
including Saidrizo Alizoda, Rojiy, and Hoji Muin, assisted M. Behbudi in publishing the journal.
School and madrasa teachers, renowned writers, and scholars from various regions contributed to
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 03,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 916
the journal as well. Mahmudkhoja Behbudi, while performing publishing and editorial duties,
appeared in almost every issue of the magazine with meaningful, selected articles on current
topics. The "Oyna" magazine primarily focused on reforming the national education system in
the region. Most of the materials published in the magazine were related to education, promoting
new "usuli jadid" schools among the public that taught both religious and secular sciences. The
main purpose of "Oyna" magazine was to develop education, enhance the culture of the Uzbek
people, revive national values, and disseminate modern thought among the population. In the
magazine "Oyna," Behbudi emphasized the importance of education and showed its role in
educating the people. The magazine promoted the ideas of attracting people to science and
education, preserving national values. At the same time, he paid special attention to the
preservation and development of the Uzbek language. He considered it important to widely use
language in literature and convey it to the people. The magazine also promoted changes in the
social life of the Uzbek people and modern thinking. Behbudi, as an activist of the national
awakening, tried to present innovations related to literature and reflecting the culture of the
people. His significant contributions to the development of Uzbek literature, the introduction of
new genres and forms, the publication of literary criticism and analyses in the journal, as well as
new literary works, indicate his influence not only on the literary sphere but also on socio-
political life. Through "Oyna" (Mirror), Behbudiy encouraged the people to take responsibility
for their own culture. The magazine also promoted new ideas and initiatives in scientific, artistic,
and cultural fields. Behbudiy's "Oyna" journal made a significant contribution to the
development of the Uzbek press, and this publication served to awaken the Uzbek people and
advance the development of science and culture.
Mahmudkhoja Behbudiy also strived to implement reforms in the Uzbek education system.
He aimed to make education accessible to all strata of society and introduce Uzbek children to
modern knowledge. Behbudiy championed the concept of "ma'rifat" (education and
enlightenment) and in his works called upon people to increase their respect for knowledge and
science. Behbudiy promoted ideas of national awakening not only through the press but also in
his literary works. In his writings, he advocated for preserving and developing the historical past
and cultural heritage of the Uzbek people. He extensively used the Uzbek language in his literary
activities and promoted its correct usage.
Behbudiy, in educating the Uzbek people and urging them to understand their history, made
a significant contribution to the development of national culture. Behbudiy's work contributed
not only to the advancement of Uzbek literature but also to shaping the spirituality of the Uzbek
people. In conclusion, Mahmudkhoja Behbudiy played a crucial role in the development of
Uzbek culture and press. Through the publication of the "Oyna" magazine, he devoted great
attention to sparking people's interest in education and science, and ensuring the preservation of
the Uzbek language. Behbudiy also succeeded in reviving national values and disseminating
modern thought among the people. His activities contributed to the development of Uzbek
literature and culture, and to the people's self-awareness. In this process, Behbudiy served the
spiritual awakening of the Uzbek people.
LIST OF REFERENCES:
1. Behbudiy, Mahmudxoʻja. “Oʻzbek adabiyoti va matbuoti tarixi”. Samarqand: Oʻzbekiston
Nashriyoti, 1913.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 03,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 917
2. Oʻzbekiston Milliy Ensiklopediyasi. “Mahmudxoʻja Behbudiy haqida maʼlumot”. Toshkent:
Oʻzbekiston Milliy Ensiklopediyasi Davlat Ilmiy Nashriyoti, 2000.
3. Mirza, A. (2002). Mahmudxo‘ja Behbudiy va uning jurnali. Toshkent: Akademnashr.
4. Alimov, R. (2017). O‘zbek tilining rivojlanishi va Mahmudxo‘ja Behbudiyning o‘rni.
Samarqand: O‘qituvchi.
