Volume 03 Issue 12-2023
83
International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
(ISSN
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2771-2222)
VOLUME
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ISSUE
12
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AGES
:
83-89
SJIF
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(2021:
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705
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(2022:
5.
705
)
(2023:
6.
713
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
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ABSTRACT
In this article, the stages of formation and development of the institution of the makhalla will be covered by the
example makhallas of the Tashkent. At the same time, the importance of the latest reforms carried out to improve
the institution of the makhalla is highlighted. In particular, the role of makhallas in Tashkent in the development of the
management of the makhalla institution is analyzed.
KEYWORDS
Makhalla, law, decree, regulation, Chairman, commission, reform, self-government div, authority.
INTRODUCTION
The makhalla institution, which has a history of more
than five thousand years, is currently a self-
government institution of citizens in the Republic of
Uzbekistan. After gaining independence in 1991,
Uzbekistan has pursued the goal of establishing a
democratic state and forming the civil society. As well
as Uzbekistan also drew attention to the issue of
restoration of the constitutional status of the lowest
level of management unit
–
makhalla institution. To this
end, Article 105 of the Constitution of the Republic of
Uzbekistan provides that “Self
-governing bodies in
settlements, kishlaks and auls, as well as in makhallas
of cities, towns, settlements, kishlaks and auls, shall be
assemblie
s of citizens electing Chairman (о
қ
са
қ
ол
).
The procedure for the elections, organization of the
work and powers of self-governing bodies shall be
regulated by law
”
[1]. It is possible to see the respect
for the generally recognized international legal
requirements in this area by creating a constitutional
framework for the activities of the self-governing
bodies of citizens of Uzbekistan. Therefore, through
this Uzbekistan has fully complied with Article 2 of the
European Charter of Local Self-Government, which
was adopted in Strasbourg, France, in 1985, which
stated that "Local self-government bodies must be
Research Article
THE HISTORY OF THE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE UZBEK
MAKHALLA
Submission Date:
December 16, 2023,
Accepted Date:
December 21, 2023,
Published Date:
December 26, 2023
Crossref doi:
https://doi.org/10.37547/ijhps/Volume03Issue12-14
Bobojonov Islombek Usmonaliyevich
Doctor Of Philosophy In History (Phd) Department Of History, Oriental University, Uzbekistan
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ijhps
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 03 Issue 12-2023
84
International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2222)
VOLUME
03
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
83-89
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
705
)
(2022:
5.
705
)
(2023:
6.
713
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
recognized by the constitution and law of the
country"[2].
METHODOLOGY. The study was conducted using
objectivity, analysis, synthesis, comparative analysis,
generalization, historical analysis, chronological
methods.
RESULTS. It is known that the makhalla system has
been recognized from ancient times as a democratic
place where the national values and traditions of
Uzbek people are respected and play a key role in their
transmission to future generations. The background of
Uzbek makhalla belongs to the Bronze Age, it is
connected with the Sopollitepa, which is located in the
Surkhandarya region (the southern region of
Uzbekistan). In the archaeological studies carried out
in this place, it was found that the place consists of
eight parts, and it has proven in science that these
eight parts are the first survivors of the structure that
now we call makhalla [3].
The way of lifestyle and activities of our ancient
ancestors was based on the collective principles, and
the problems in this community were also addressed
by the chairmen. Such noble values and traditions have
come through the makhalla system from ancient times
to the present day.
As noted in the Explanatory Dictionary of the Uzbek
language, the term “Makhalla” is an Arabic word and
means “place”, it is a self
-governing socio-territorial
subdivision of a city that includes a particular area and
its population united into one community [4]. The
Makhalla has a great and long history, and its roots go
back to the Bronze Age. The Makhalla was a historical
community site, founded on the initiative of citizens in
the territorial unit that united several families. The
main factor that unites them was the fact that
interconnected to each other by means of
manufacturer forces. The first written source of the
history in Central Asia
–
Avesto also promotes the
survival of people based on solidarity by living as a
community,
solving
existing
problems
and
shortcomings with the community. As well as the
chairman who was older than other members of the
community according to his age and experience was a
leader of the community. The tradition of following
such beautiful qualities as managing the community by
the elderly chairman, the solution of all problems in the
Council of chairmen, the care for community members
in the life of our ancestors, helping needy people has
reached our lives through the makhalla system.
One of the medieval historian Abu Ja'far Narshakhi, in
his work "History of Bukhara", written in the IX
century, noted that there was 19 large-scale makhalla
in Bukhara 1,100 years ago. These makhallas were self-
governing and had their authority. This is reflected in
the activities of the earliest states and their governing
bodies on the territory of the Ancient East, including
Uzbekistan [5]. Also, Abu Nasr Farabi, who lived with
the idea of building a vibrant society, notes that "every
person is born by nature he needs many things to live
and to attain the highest level of maturity, but no one
cannot achieve such things alone. A community of
people is needed to have them," [6]. When a person is
born, he or she enters a social partnership with a
community of people to live, to gain their place and
position in society. This means that through the
community of people that Farabi refers to, order,
compromise is formed in society and development can
be seen. Conversely, when a community of people lives
separately, dispersed, according to their own interests,
this society faces scattered and dispersed.
In the 14th century, Amir Temur established a
centralized state. The foundation of the Temurids’
Empire has led to the socio-political and economic
Volume 03 Issue 12-2023
85
International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2222)
VOLUME
03
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
83-89
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
705
)
(2022:
5.
705
)
(2023:
6.
713
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
prosperity of the country. And stability in all areas has
been further developed the makhalla system
compared to previous periods, enriched with new
traditions and customs and improved administratively.
In the Empire of Amir Temur, the types of handicrafts,
the quantity and quality of the profession, the large-
scale
development
of
commerce
and
their
consolidation into makhallas based on their
occupations and professions are proof of our idea. It is
true that before the founding of the Temur Empire,
makhallas were established by profession, but by the
time of Timur, the number and quality of such
makhallas had increased and all the necessary
conditions had been created for the people to do their
work. Even after Temur added the most famous cities
of the East to the composition of his state, he restored
many villages and makhallas in Movarounnahr in a new
style and named them by such names as Baghdad,
Sheraz,
Shom,
Damascus,
and
created
the
environment, conditions and habits there in local
villages and makhallas. Therefore, in the Empire of
Timur, it was possible to meet a large number of
makhallas and villages with professional names, such
as locksmiths, coworkers, carpenters, potters, armor-
makers, grasshoppers, and leather-makers. As a result
of a special attitude towards the lower unit
–
the
makhalla under the initiative and desire of Amir Temur,
the medieval makhalla flourished and became the base
of Temur in the management of the country. During
this period, Tashkent was known as the center of
Science, Culture and trade of the Timur Empire. In
general, Tashkent along with being the capital city of
the Republic of Uzbekistan at the present time, from
the ancient times up to now, it has become an
important strategic center in Central Asia as a socio-
political, economic and Cultural Center. And the fact,
location of city at the crossroads of trade routes
connecting the West and the East was a key aspect that
attracted the attention of representatives of the trade
and tourism sector. This possibility of the city, as well
as the scientists who were born in Tashkent and
contributed to the development of world civilization
and science, always attract the interest of foreign
researchers.
In the second half of the XVIII century, Tashkent was
divided into four districts, namely Sebzor, Beshyagach,
Shaykhantakhur, and Kukcha, the city was surrounded
by walls and has 12 gates. The rule of Tashkent from
this period until the annexation Tashkent to the
Kokand Khanate (1809 year) was initially pursued by
four independent governors, but at the same time,
they fight for a single government. In the early period,
each district governor pursued an independent policy,
in 1784, after the foundation of a single Tashkent
principality the whole Tashkent was ruled by a single
governor. Despite the unification into a single
authority, the administrative positions of the districts,
the Chairmen of makhalla continued to fulfill their
regular duties. This indicates that the central
authorities were less involved in the activities of
makhallas in the 19th century in Tashkent. And during
this period, each district had dozens of makhallas,
several mosques and madrasahs, baths and markets. In
the second half of the XIX century, these facilities
played an important role in the worship, education and
training of the population in the mahallas in Tashkent.
According to Maev, during this period there were 149
makhallas in Tashkent, which had 12 madrasahs and 135
mosques [7]. (Table 1)
Table 1
Information on the number of mahallas located in each district of Tashkent in the late XIX century
Volume 03 Issue 12-2023
86
International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
(ISSN
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VOLUME
03
ISSUE
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(2021:
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(2022:
5.
705
)
(2023:
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1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
№
Districts
Number of mahallas
1.
Sebzor
38
2.
Beshyogoch
32
3.
Shayxontohur
48
4.
Kukcha
31
Total
149
Among the research conducted on the makhallas in
Tashkent, Mallisky Nikolai Gurevich is widely
mentioned. In his book "makhallas in Tashkent and
vicinities" he expresses his thoughts about the
makhallas in Tashkent. In particular, he studies and
analyzes the works of previous authors Maev, Likoshin,
Shishov, and Shishkin. He reminds that the list of
makhallas was compiled for the first time in the article
of Maev "Asian Tashkent", published in the collection
"data for statistics of Turkestan" (edition IV, 1876).
However, the negatively assesses that there were
orthographic errors in the names of neighborhoods,
mainly they are written according to the spelling of
their names. Mallisky writes as following “In Shishov's
work "Lines" is given a list of 154 makhallas, although
the influence is felt, some changes and replenishments
have been made” in his book titled as "makhallas of
Tashkent and vicinities" [8]. At the beginning of the XX
century, Mallisky compiled a list of about 280 mahallas
and more than 170 vicinities only in the Old City itself
[9]. The reason why we acknowledge Mallitsky's
studies is reliable from other scientific researches is
that he works as the head of the Self-Administration
Department of Tashkent City since January 1907. As
well as on the job title, he visits every makhalla and
vicinity of the city on foot or by riding a horse. Having
seen with his own eyes, he talked with the chairmen of
the makhalla, educated people, and mentions the
origins of the makhallas and their etymology.
Doctor of economic sciences, Professor Leonid Levitin
also mentions the structure of the makhalla in his book
“Uzbekistan
-
in the historical turning period”. He
notes that the number of makhallas in Tashkent was
140 in 1865, and in the early twenty years of the last
century, their number reached 280[10].
During the Soviet times, the makhalla was operating
separately from its legal status as before. Only on April
17, 1932, for the first time in the Republic of Uzbekistan,
a regulation on makhalla committees in Uzbek cities
was introduced. The article 12 of the second regulation,
which was adopted shortly thereafter (1961) states:
“Mahalla (quarterly) committees are not allowed to
carry out any financial and economic activities (to
establish and use eating-houses, red tea houses,
barbershops, etc.) they cannot participate in buying
and selling, carrying out the work of renting, as well as
renting apartments[11]. As stated in the legal-
normative acts, the rights and authorities of the
makhallas were limited during the Soviet Union.
Because of artificial impediments and restrictions on
Volume 03 Issue 12-2023
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
(ISSN
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VOLUME
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ISSUE
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(2021:
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(2022:
5.
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)
(2023:
6.
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)
OCLC
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1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
the further development and improvement of the
makhalla structure, the Makhalla system has been
neglected.
The declaration of independence of Uzbekistan has
allowed the country to get out of the socio-political
and economic crisis of the past 150 years. Since
independence, particular attention was paid to the
restoration of the status and influence of the Makhalla
institution. Over the past years, the law “About self
-
government institutions of citizens” was adopte
d
three times. The first of these acts was adopted on
September 2, 1993 [12]. The law “About self
-
government institutions of citizens” was adopted in
more two times (1999 [13] and 2013 [14] years) in a new
edition with the need for reforms carried out to
deepening democratic reforms and to build civil
society. By the adoption of these laws, the functions
and powers of the institutions of the makhalla have
expanded.
In the law “About self
-government institutions of
citizens”, adopted in the 2013 year, there
are many
aspects that differ from previous ones. It has provided
the opportunity for closer and more systematic
interaction with the population, mainly by ensuring the
independence of the makhalla, expanding its powers,
and establishing commissions in important areas
envisaged by the law. In particular, according to Article
18 of the Law "About self-government institutions of
citizens”, it is planned to establish eight commissions
at the assemblies of citizens in the main areas of their
activities. They are as following: Reconciliation
Commission; Commission on enlightenment and
spirituality; commission on social support; Women's
Commission; Commission on Minors, Youth and Sports;
Commission on entrepreneurship and family business
development;
Commission
on
ecology
and
environmental protection, landscaping and planting;
the Commission on Public Supervision and Consumer
Protection [15]. These commissions organize their
activities based on the regulations approved by the
Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In recent years, as a result of the growth of the
population and expanding the territory of Tashkent,
the number of makhallas is also increasing. For
instance, at the beginning of the 90s of the XX century,
about 450 neighborhoods were registered, in the
information received from the current archive of the
Council of Tashkent makhalla on October 5, 2019, 508
makhallas were registered [16]. At any period, the issue
of employment of the population of most countries
around the world is of serious concern. In particular,
the issue of employment of the population in the
Republic of Uzbekistan is a priority issue at the level of
important public policy. The resolution of the Cabinet
of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan № 944
“About approval on th
e regulation of Labor Relations
in the bodies of self-
government of citizens” plays an
important role in the positive solution of the existing
problems of employment of unemployed people.
According to Part 2, 5 of the regulation on the
regulation of Labor Relations in the self-governing
bodies of citizens approved by this decision, the
chairman of the assembly of citizens (oqsaqoli) has the
right to conclude employment contracts with them to
attract unemployed people living in the territory of the
makhallas to public affairs and the fees for their work
is paid by the account of Public Works Fund under the
Ministry of Labor and Employment of the Republic of
Uzbekistan [17].
As a result, the chairman of makhalla has the
opportunity to officially employ the unemployed and
low-income people in his territory and, on his
recommendation the unemployed people in makhallas
have the opportunity to start his business by taking a
Volume 03 Issue 12-2023
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
(ISSN
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VOLUME
03
ISSUE
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:
83-89
SJIF
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(2021:
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)
(2022:
5.
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)
(2023:
6.
713
)
OCLC
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1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
loan from the bank. Indeed, through the ongoing
reforms, the duties and powers of the makhalla are
now expanding and becoming the most important unit
in society, serving as a strong bridge between the
people and the state as a result of the assumption of
many functions performed by local governments.
In recent years, the legal framework of the makhalla
institute has been further strengthened. According to
it, the term of office of the chairmen of mahallas has
been extended from 2.5 to 3 years [18]. It is necessary
to note that the absence of a holistic number on the
issue of the term of office does not correspond to
international experiences.
2.5 year period does not allow elections to always be
held at a certain time (in the spring). In addition, the
deadline does not allow the chairmen to fully
demonstrate their knowledge and management skills.
In the process of developing the draft law, the
experience of foreign countries was also thoroughly
studied. In particular, the activities of local self-
government bodies - municipal councils formed in
Germany, England, Spain, Italy, Slovakia, Sweden,
Poland, and other developed countries were studied in
detail. In May 2019, in the makhalla elections held in
May, the chairmen of the makhallas were elected for a
period of 3 years. On February 12, 2020, under the
chairmanship of the President of the Republic of
Uzbekistan Mirziyoyev, a videoconference was held
dedicated to the improvement of the makhalla system,
strengthening peace and tranquility in makhallas, and
prevention of crime. In this videoconference 38 laws
and regulations related to the institution of the
makhalla were adopted, more than 50 improvements
were made and the term of office of the chairman of
the makhalla was changed from three to five years.
Three deputies position of Chairmen is introduced [19].
This reform envisages further clarification of the tasks
and powers of the makhalla institution and its gradual
development.
CONCLUSION
Tashkent, one of the most ancient cities in Central Asia,
has passed various stages of development throughout
its long history. As well as, the name of the city has
changed several times during those times. The
makhallas of Tashkent flourished during the reign of
Amir Temur and the Timurids.
During the period of the Russian Empire, particularly in
the Soviet Union, there was no attention given to the
system of makhalla because of artificial impediments
and restrictions on the development and improvement
of the neighborhood.
Since the first days of independence, a number of
normative-legal documents were adopted in the
development of the makhalla Institution and enriched
with traditions and innovations using experiences of
the world.
Today, the makhalla institutions are a dwelling of
democracy, which plays an important role in the real
sense of citizens being an active member of society.
REFERENCES
1.
Constitution of The Republic of Uzbekistan. - T.:
Uzbekistan, 1992 National database of
legislation data, 16.10.2018 y., 03/18/498/2051-
SEC.
2.
European Charter of Local Self-Government.
Strasbourg,
15.X.1985.
https://rm.coe.int/168007a088.
3.
Askarov A. Sopollitepa. -
T.: "Fan”, 1973.
- P. 38.
4.
Explanatory Dictionary of the Uzbek language.
- T.: "National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan",
2003. P. 58.
Volume 03 Issue 12-2023
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International Journal Of History And Political Sciences
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VOLUME
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ISSUE
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:
83-89
SJIF
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(2021:
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705
)
(2022:
5.
705
)
(2023:
6.
713
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
5.
Abu Bakr Narshakhiy. History of Bukhara. - T.:
"Sharq", 1993. P. 63.
6.
Farabi. The city of virtuous people. -
T .: “The
National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan”, 2012.
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Burieva H. Historical toponymy of Tashkent.
(Late 19th
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early 20th centuries). - T .:
“Noshrlic Yog’dusi” 2009. P.22.
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Mallitsky N.G. Tashkent mahallas and vicinities.
- T .: 1996. P.6
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Levitin. L. Uzbekistan - in the historical turning
periods. - T.: 2001. P.183.
10.
The Makhalla. The 1996 year 27 August.
Number 15 (16).
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https://lex.uz/docs/86020?ONDATE=21.09.1993
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https://lex.uz/docs/-86256
13.
https://lex.uz/docs/2156899
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The People's Word, 2013 April 24.
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The current archive of the Tashkent city council
on the coordination of activities of citizens'
self-government bodies. Date of application:
05.10.2019 y
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http://lex.uz/docs/3426881
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http://lex.uz/docs/3988118?query=%D0%A1%D0
%B0%D0%B9%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2
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http://uza.uz/oz/politics/ma-alla-tinchlik-
osoyishtalik-obodlik-va-farovonlik-markazig-12-
02-2020?sphrase_id=5412825
