A symbol of influence, prestige, and cultural revolution in society

🔴 A priceless heritage that has survived the centuries and its astonishing history

🔴 A unique fabric presented to the emperors of China

Zandana cloth holds a special place in Central Asia’s rich textile tradition. This fabric was not only used for adornment but also served for centuries as a symbol of influence and prestige in society.

From the village of Zandana to the world markets

The name “Zandana” originates from the village of Zandana near Bukhara. Silk fabrics first woven there later spread to India, Iraq, Iran, China, and other countries. The fact that this name has been preserved unchanged for hundreds of years is proof of its ancient origins.

Some surviving pieces stored in museums worldwide confirm the high esteem in which this fabric was held. For example, an intact fragment preserved in Belgium bears Sogdian inscriptions, proving that it indeed came from Zandana.

A valuable commodity and a symbol of prestige

Zandana cloth was one of the most expensive goods in ancient international trade. According to Narshakhi, in Bukhara, the representatives of the caliph collected taxes not in money but in the form of cloth and carpets. Zandana was so highly valued that the tax amount was measured as being equal to one piece of this fabric.

Mentions of Zandana sent to China demonstrate the global prestige of Bukhara’s silk-weaving school.

Workshops, craftsmen, and the European market

In the 10th–11th centuries, at the “Bayt al-Tiraz” workshop in Bukhara, Zandana was woven not only from silk but also from cotton. By the 14th–16th centuries, it had become a mass-trade product in European markets and was especially popular in the Baltic region as one of the most sought-after imported textiles.

As a cultural heritage

Zandana is not just an ordinary fabric but a living witness of an entire civilization. It speaks of the unmatched craftsmanship and refined taste of Bukhara’s artisans. For this reason, it is preserved with great respect in museums around the world.

At the exhibition of the Center of Islamic Civilization, an ancient piece of Zandana cloth purchased from one of London’s prestigious auction houses is displayed, taking visitors on a “journey” to medieval Bukhara and allowing them to appreciate the richness of our nation’s heritage.

Durdona Rasulova

P/S: The article may be used by referencing the official website of the Center.