Iron Gate (Central Asia)

Iron Gate (center) in 8th century
Wood engraving, p. 503. From 'Nouvelle Géographie Universelle, La terre et les hommes', Part VI, 'L'Asie Russe', Édition Élisée reclus, Paris, 1881

The Iron Gate (Uzbek:Buzgalaxona) is a defile between Balkh and Samarkand. It breaks up the mountains which extend from the Hisar range south towards the Amu Darya. In ancient times it was used as the passage between Bactria and Sogdia and was likely of great importance to any power in the region. Its name comes from the belief that an actual gate, reinforced with Iron, stood in the defile. It is located to west from Boysun, Surxondaryo Province.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Alexey V. Arapov. "Boysun. Masterpieces of Central Asia". Retrieved 2014-03-25. The Iron Gates were located on the old road in the canyon of Dara-i Buzgala-khana 3 km to northwest from Shurob kishlak.

Soucek, Svat (2000). A History of Inner Asia. Cambridge University Press. p. 5. ISBN 978-0521657044.

Coordinates: 38°13′17.7″N 66°54′24.6″E / 38.221583°N 66.906833°E / 38.221583; 66.906833

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