The ancient archaeological site of Bunjikat (russian: Бунджикат tg, Бунҷикат), also named Shahriston, is located near the town of

Bunjikat tg, Бунҷикат , settlement_type= Jamoat , image_skyline = , imagesize = , image_caption = , image_flag = , image_seal = , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Tajikistan , pushpin_label_position ...

, in the Shahristan Pass at the entrance of the

Ferghana Valley The Fergana Valley (; ; ) in Central Asia lies mainly in eastern Uzbekistan, but also extends into southern Kyrgyzstan and northern Tajikistan. Divided into three republics of the former Soviet Union, the valley is ethnically diverse and in the ...

, in Sughd Province of western

Tajikistan Tajikistan (, ; tg, Тоҷикистон, Tojikiston; russian: Таджикистан, Tadzhikistan), officially the Republic of Tajikistan ( tg, Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон, Jumhurii Tojikiston), is a landlocked country in Centr ...

, just west of the town of Kairma.

Capital of Ustrushana

Bunjikat was the former capital city of the

Principality of Ushrusana The Principality of Ushrusana (also spelled ''Usrushana'', ''Osrushana'' or ''Ustrushana'') was a local dynasty ruling the Ushrusana region, in the northern area of modern Tajikistan, from an unknown date to 892 CE. Ushrusana, just like Ferghana, ...

between the 6th and 9th Centuries CE.World Heritage Center: The Criteria for Selection
/ref> It replaced the older capital of Kurukada. From the 5th to the 7th century CE, Ustushana was part of the territory of the

Hephthalites The Hephthalites ( xbc, ηβοδαλο, translit= Ebodalo), sometimes called the White Huns (also known as the White Hunas, in Iranian as the ''Spet Xyon'' and in Sanskrit as the ''Sveta-huna''), were a people who lived in Central Asia during th ...

, followed by the

Western Turks The Western Turkic Khaganate () or Onoq Khaganate ( otk, 𐰆𐰣:𐰸:𐰉𐰆𐰑𐰣, On oq budun, Ten arrow people) was a Turkic khaganate in Eurasia, formed as a result of the wars in the beginning of the 7th century (593–603 CE) after t ...

after 560 CE. The Principality probably retained a certain level of autonomy throughout this period, and was ruled directly by the ''

afshin Afshin ( fa, افشین / ''Afšīn'') is a common Persian given name, which is a modern Persian word derived from Avestan. Afshin was used by the Sogdians. Historically, it was the princely title of the rulers of Osrushana at the time of the ...

s'' of the Kavus dynasty. Bunjikat maintained its sovereignty until 893 CE.

Ruins

Several large buildings and fortresses are located in Bunjikat, such as Kalai Kahkaha I (a Palace) and Kalai Kahkaha II (a grand building on an elevated terrace), dated from the 6th to 8th century CE. File:Bunjikat,Kahkaha1-4.jpg, Kalai Kahkaha 1 File:Bunjikat,Kahkaha2-1.jpg, Kalai Kahkaha 2

Works of art

The paintings of Bunjikat are among the most important of Sogdian art. File:Sogdian princess Nana, Palace of Kala-i Kahkaha I in Bunjikat, Tajikistan, 8-9th century CE.jpg, Bunjikat wall painting of goddess

Nana Nana, Nanna, Na Na or NANA may refer to: People and fictional characters * Nana (given name), including a list of people and characters with the given name * Nana (surname), including a list of people and characters with the surname * Nana ( ...

, 8th-9th century. File:Bunjikat Remus and Romulus.jpg, " Romulus and Remus" scene from Bunjikat. File:Demone-guerriero alato, dal palazzo di kalai kahkaha, cam 4, muro w, inizio IX sec.JPG, Warrior demon, Kalai Kahkaha, early 9th century CE.

Hermitage Museum The State Hermitage Museum ( rus, Государственный Эрмитаж, r=Gosudarstvennyj Ermitaž, p=ɡəsʊˈdarstvʲɪn(ː)ɨj ɪrmʲɪˈtaʂ, links=no) is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is the largest ...

File:Deity, Kalai Khakaha, early 9th century CE, Hermitage Museum.jpg, Deity, Kalai Khakaha I, early 9th century CE, Hermitage Museum. File:Heads of Demons, Kala-i Kahkaha I Palace, Bunjikat, Ustrushana, 8th–9th century CE.jpg, Heads of Demons, Kala-i Kahkaha I Palace, Bunjikat, Ustrushana, 8th–9th century CE. File:Bunjikat, figure with pointed and crescented helmet.jpg, Bunjikat, figure with pointed and crescented helmet File:God Weshparkar with bow, Kala-i Kakhakakha I, Shahristan palace, Ustrushana, Tajikistan, 8-9th century CE, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan (RTL 215).jpg, God Weshparkar with bow, Kala-i Kakhakakha I, Shahristan palace, Ustrushana, Tajikistan, 8-9th century CE, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan (RTL 215) File:Mural, Dushanbe - National Museum of Antiquities.jpg, Cavalry battle scene

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

World Heritage A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for ...

Tentative List on November 9, 1999 in the Cultural category.

References

{{Central Asian history Archaeological sites in Tajikistan World Heritage Sites in Tajikistan Former populated places in Tajikistan