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MAHMUDKHUJA BEHBUDIY - THE GUARDIAN OF TURKESTAN YOUTH
A.E.Kurakhmedov
Associate Professor, SamSIFL
Annotation:
This article examines the significant role of Mahmudkhuja Behbudiy as a key
figure in the enlightenment and development of youth in Turkestan. The text highlights his
dedication to education, national identity, and the overall well-being of the younger generation.
Keywords:
Turkestan Youth, Jadidism/Jadids, Enlightener/Ma'rifatparvar, Independence,
National Identity/Self-awareness, Secular Education/Modern Sciences, New Method School,
Library-Reading Room.
After gaining independence, which the peoples of Uzbekistan had dreamed of, awaited, and
fought for over centuries, many figures who tirelessly struggled for independence, devoted their
knowledge and talent to awakening the broad masses from the slumber of ignorance, and even
sacrificed their lives when the time came, have passed away. One such dedicated individual is
Mahmudkhuja Behbudiy, an enlightener, encyclopedist, and known as the father of Turkestan
Jadids.
During the former Soviet era, he was branded as a "Jadidist," "Turkophile," and "enemy of the
people," and negative opinions were expressed about him. They also said, "Behbudiy was a
representative of the bourgeoisie and propagated the ideas of Pan-Turkism and Pan-Islamism".
Who was Behbudiy, who was labeled an "enemy of the people" and "bourgeoisie"?
Mahmudkhuja Behbudiy was a deep-hearted, pure-spirited person who "understood himself to be
a child of Turkestan". He was a devoted mufti, and first and foremost, a servant of God like all of
us. He was a true Muslim and did not deny progress. Behbudiy, who did not abandon secular
knowledge, strove to implement it in the schools of Turkestan. In 1905, he opened a new method
school in the village of Kaftarhona mahalla in Samarkand, where he educated and trained 40
students. He wrote and published textbooks for the school children. Students in this new school
mastered in one year the knowledge that would take 3-4 years to learn in ordinary schools.
In the development of national education and culture in the region, and for the youth to become
knowledgeable and enlightened, Behbudiy was among the first in Turkestan to open a library-
reading room for the local people in Samarkand in 1908, enriching the library's fund with his
own resources. He worked with the understanding that "our ancestors wrote many of the books
we should read, and we should study and learn all sciences like them". He left behind numerous
books and articles on the development of culture and spirituality, human health and development,
and many other topics that we still do not know about. Behbudiy began to work for the
intellectual and informed upbringing of the young generation at the beginning of our century,
when we were still oppressed under colonial rule. Mahmudkhuja Behbudiy cared for the youth of
Turkestan, wishing and fighting for the scientific advancement of the young generation.
To master developed science and knowledge, Behbudiy strived for the young generation to grow
physically strong and well-developed. He fiercely fought against all the vices that hindered the
healthy and agile growth of Turkestan youth. Mahmudkhuja Behbudiy fought for the future
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generation to grow up knowledgeable, enlightened, and physically healthy. Therefore, we must
not forget the legacies of great ancestors like him and bring joy to their spirits
The list of used literature
1.Vadud Mahmud. "Mahmudkhoj 1920, July 8.
2.M. Vakhobov, "Uzbek Socialist Nation", Tashkent, 1971.
3. "Appeal to the People", "Oyina" magazine, 1914, No. 21.
4. ("Muntakhabi Jugrafiyai Umumiy", "Turkistan Scholars" section, 1905. pages 9-10,
5. "Samarkand" newspaper, 1913, No. 3
