INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 03,2025
Journal:
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page 1136
THE ATLAS OF UZBEKS - THE MASTERPIECE OF UZBEKS
M.Y. Suvonova
Teacher at Karshi State University
ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8269-1931
Email:
Annotation:
Our national fabric, satin, is a product made from natural silk and is also important
for human health. All products made from natural silk are among the most competitive in the
world, including satin fabric.
Keywords:
Atlas, adras, silk, national fabric, abr, khan-atlas, clothing, fiber, thread, patterns,
flowers, weaving, handicrafts, cotton, arkog thread, colors.
When we say Atlas, we imagine a rainbow of different colors, a fabric that sparkles,
shines, dazzles, attracts attention, and captivates in an instant. In fact, I think that our high
assessment of this fabric and the definitions given above are very few. Because none of the
countries in the world has such an antique
ATLAS
fabric. Only in our sunny Uzbekistan, it was
first woven by the Kokand Khan Khudoyorkhan.
It is known from ancient history that in our country, silk fabrics were produced from
high-quality fabrics, which were incomparable in beauty. These fabrics were taken by merchants
from the early Middle Ages to all the countries of the East, from China to the ancient
Transoxiana, along the Great Silk Road, and gained fame. According to the information of the
10th-century historians - Narshahi, Maqsudi and other historians - about the fame of fabrics
produced in Bukhara and Samarkand, our local fabrics were in demand in Baghdad, Khorasan,
Syria, Byzantium, and Egypt. Fabric production was associated with the life of the people, based
on crafts, and its historical fate. In the middle of the 19th century, various types of high-quality
fabrics were produced in Bukhara, Margilan, Namangan, Samarkand, Shahrisabz, and Khujand.
The Atlas of Uzbeks serves as both a geographical and historical guide to the lands once known
as the heart of the ancient Silk Road. The land, rich with ancient cities like Samarkand, Bukhara,
and Khiva, has long been a cultural crossroads. As a country that has witnessed the rise and fall
of empires, the atlas offers a bird's-eye view of how these regions have transformed over the
centuries.
One of the most striking aspects of this masterpiece is the seamless blend of modern and
ancient cartography. From the early settlements of the Persian Empire to the time of the
Timurids and the Uzbek Khanates, the atlas not only showcases the geographic boundaries but
also traces the movements and cultural influences that shaped the Uzbek people. Its intricate
maps tell stories of conquest, trade, migration, and the continuous dialogue between East and
West that has defined Uzbekistan's place in world history.
Uzbekistan, the Fergana Valley holds a special place in the production of national silk
fabrics. The cities of Margilan and Namangan are a rich source of silk weaving traditions.
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 1137
The name and types of Margilan satin became known and famous in seven climates. The
city was called the "City of Silk". First of all, if we turn to the history of satin weaving, which is
an ancient occupation of the city's people, it is known that silk production has been developed in
Margilan since ancient times. One of our historians wrote about this: "It is worth paying the
entire land tax of Bukhara for a single curtain woven in Margilan."
Indeed, our silk workers have long exhibited their fabrics around the world. The most attractive,
most charming fabric of the finished product made from silk is satin.
Atlas is a soft, single-faced fabric woven from natural silk, with a smooth, non-woven texture
and decorated with colorful patterns using the abr technique.
There is a legend that the master who first wove the atlas took the patterns from the different
reflections of the clouds on the horizon at sunset. That is why in ancient times, atlas and adras
fabrics were called "Abr" fabrics. After all, the word "Abr" is Persian and means cloud.
The origin of abr patterns is explained in the legends of Central Asian folklore. One
legend says that abr patterns were first created as an imitation of the reflection of clouds in the
sky on the surface of a pond. Another legend compares them to the spreading of oil spilled into a
pond and the color of a rainbow. Depending on the type of weaving, abr fabrics are divided into
2 groups: adras and atlas.
Atlas is woven from natural silk. In adras, tanda thread is made from silk, and arkog
thread is made from cotton thread. According to the master from Margilan, Mirzokirov, in 1856,
atlases were first woven by order of the Khan of Kokand, Khudoyorkhan. That is why they are
called "khan-atlas". To this day, atlases are called by different names. The names are based on
the composition of the weaver. For example, they are called Anorgul, Kiprik, Chumoli,
Tumorcha, Kosagul, Sirga, Tomchi and others. Uzbekistan's art and architecture stand as a
testament to its long and storied past. The Atlas showcases some of the most iconic examples of
Uzbek craftsmanship. The intricate tile work, stunning mosques, and majestic madrassas reflect
the deep Islamic roots intertwined with local traditions. The architectural splendor of
Samarkand's Registan Square or the historical significance of the Ark Fortress in Bukhara is
rendered in high-detail illustrations, bringing forth the grandeur of these structures.
Moreover, the atlas includes references to traditional Uzbek art forms such as suzani
(embroidered textiles), ceramics, and calligraphy, which have been passed down through
generations. These forms of art are not merely decorative; they carry within them centuries of
cultural knowledge and wisdom, making them invaluable in the exploration of the country's
history and traditions.
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ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 03,2025
Journal:
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The patterns of satin fabrics can be divided into several groups: the most common are
those consisting of everyday objects, plants and animals. In addition, there are geometric shapes,
namely circles, rhombuses, straight and curved lines. It should be noted that only the geometric
shapes are clearly visible, while the rest are so symbolic that they are difficult to read. The Atlas
of Uzbeks is not just about looking back; it also serves as a bridge to the future. As a country
located on one of the world's most important trade routes – the Silk Road – Uzbekistan’s
strategic position has been the reason for its cultural openness and exchange. Through this
historical lens, the Atlas explores how Uzbekistan influenced the art, architecture, and scientific
knowledge of surrounding regions.
The Silk Road’s legacy is not only visible in the material culture but also in the
intellectual pursuits of Uzbekistan's past. The country was home to renowned scholars and
scientists such as Avicenna (Ibn Sina) and Al-Biruni, whose contributions to medicine,
mathematics, and astronomy shaped the development of knowledge in both the Islamic world
and Europe. The Atlas pays homage to these intellectual giants, reminding the world of the far-
reaching impact of Uzbekistan on global civilization.
Today, it is difficult to imagine modern clothes without silk. Clothes made of adras and atlas
fabrics were worn at ceremonial ceremonies, weddings, national holidays, and even military
campaigns. Even the soldiers of Iskandar Zulqaynar wore blue silk outerwear as a sign of
courage and bravery. At one time, there were attempts to destroy our national clothes. It was
repeatedly said that we should not wear atlas shirts, capes, and skullcaps. But thanks to our
independence, the memory of our ancestors in our hearts, and our respect for them, we returned
to our national clothes while preserving our national values. Today, many people understand that
national clothes are a part of our national culture. Therefore, at the “Atlas Day” holiday, which
we hold every spring at Karshi State University, our respect for our traditions and values is
demonstrated precisely through these national clothes. The main goal of this holiday is to
encourage our youth to honor our values, preserve them, and further increase their respect for our
national fabrics. By compiling this treasure trove of cultural, historical, and artistic wealth, the
atlas serves not only as a historical record but also as a symbol of the unity and strength that has
defined the Uzbek people for centuries.
In the face of globalization and rapid change, the Atlas stands as a reminder of the importance of
cultural heritage and the preservation of national identity. For the Uzbeks, it is a symbol of their
continuing journey, a celebration of their past, and a beacon for future generations to remain
proud of their roots while looking towards a bright and prosperous future.
Conclusion.
As the organizer of the Atlas Holiday, I consider it one of my important
tasks to widely promote our national fabric, the mirror of our nation, the satin fabric, to our
students. Uzbek culture and Uzbek fabric, has spread throughout the world, and we should be
proud of this.
References:
1. Khasanboyeva GK Clothing design. Lecture text -T.: TTESI, 2011.
2.XXKamilova,NAIsakhojayeva, KRFuzailova “Creative Costume Graphics” 2017.
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 1139
3. Khasanboyeva GK, Krimova OI “Working on clothing models and preparing their
construction” T. “Teacher”, 1990. TTESI .
4. Khasanboyeva GK “Fundamentals of Composition” Lecture text.
