The press that awakened the nation

🔴 A Source of historical pride at the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan!

 

 

At the beginning of the 20th century, one of the most powerful tools of the national awakening movement in Turkestan known as Jadidism  was the press. Through newspapers and magazines, the Jadids called upon the people to embrace enlightenment, progress, and freedom, opening a new chapter in the history of the Turkic world.

 

On June 27, 1906, the first example of the Turkestan press the newspaper Taraqqiy (“Progress”) — was published under the editorship of Ismail Obidi. Guided by the motto “Salvation lies in perseverance, success lies in righteousness,” the newspaper aimed to lead the nation toward development. Its articles promoted the ideas of combating ignorance, advancing science and crafts, and awakening national consciousness.

 

Abdulla Avloni later wrote:

 

“This newspaper became one the people loved to read. It was the most courageous platform that fired against the government’s administration.”

 

However, after its 20th issue, Taraqqiy was shut down on charges of “calling the local population to revolutionary movements.”

 

Subsequently, other newspapers emerged: Khurshid edited by Munavvar Qori Abdurashidkhonov, Tujjor by Saidkarim Saidazimboev, Shuhrat led by Abdulla Avloni, and Osiyo edited by Ahmadjon Bektemirov. These too called the nation toward enlightenment and reform, but government censorship cut their lives short.

 

In 1913, Samarkand newspaper, edited by Mahmudkhoja Behbudi, appeared. Published in Uzbek, Persian, and Russian, it aimed to lead people toward science, culture, and progress. Later, due to financial constraints, it was replaced by the magazine Oyina (“The Mirror”).

 

In 1914, Ubaydullo-khoja Asadullo-khojaev’s Sadoi Turkiston (“The Voice of Turkestan”) urged the people to arm themselves with knowledge against ignorance. Intellectuals such as Cholpon, Avloni, Hamza, Tavallo, and Hoji Muin actively contributed to it.

 

 

 

During the same years, Sadoi Farg‘ona, Bukhoro-i Sharif, Turon newspapers and Oyina, Al-Isloh magazines called for reform, modern thinking, and the pursuit of knowledge.

 

At a time when Turkestan suffered under colonial policies, the Jadid press spoke the truth, awakened the nation, and sowed the seeds of free thought. Many of these newspapers were banned, and their editors persecuted.

 

Abdurauf Muzaffarzoda expressed this tragedy as follows:

 

“If all the newspapers closed after Taraqqiy were gathered together, they would form a great graveyard of the press.”

 

Yet the Jadid press did not die it awakened the national consciousness and became the foundation of modern Uzbek journalism.

 

 

Today, at the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, a special exhibition and documentary film are being prepared dedicated to the history of the Jadid press. The display will feature original copies and facsimiles of newspapers from Taraqqiy to Sadoi Turkiston, along with the ideas they promoted.

 

“The exhibition will present newspapers and magazines related to the activities of Mahmudkhoja Behbudi, Munavvar Qori Abdurashidkhonov, and Abdurauf Fitrat. The original issues of these publications are preserved in the collections of the Alisher Navoi National Library of Uzbekistan and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Their facsimile editions will be displayed in the exhibition, along with multimedia content and documentary videos highlighting their content and historical significance,” said Sharofat Yusupova, a research fellow at the Center.

 

Shahnaza Rahmonova

P.S.: The article may be republished with a reference to the Center’s official website.