Shache history

The city of Shache, also known by its historical name Yarkand, is one of the oldest and most strategically important centers on the southern branch of the Great Silk Road. Its history is a kaleidoscope of cultures, trade caravans, and successive dynasties.

Yarkand emerged as an oasis and a transit point for caravans in the 1st millennium BC. In Chinese written sources, it has been known since the 2nd century BC under the name Suoche. At the end of the 1st century AD, the city was conquered by the troops of the Chinese Han Dynasty, which integrated it into the empire's orbit of influence. The city regained its significance as a major trade and cultural hub during the Tang Dynasty era.

The prosperity of Yarkand was driven by several factors that defined its historical role. Firstly, its geographical position: located in the valley of the fertile Yarkand River, on the western edge of the Taklamakan Desert, the city was a vital oasis offering water and rest to weary travellers. Secondly, Yarkand was one of the main trading centres of Eastern Turkestan, where caravan routes intersected and a brisk trade in silk, cotton, jade, spices, and horses took place. Thirdly, throughout the centuries, the city held great political influence, serving as the capital of various state entities. It reached its greatest zenith as the capital of the Yarkand Khanate (1514–1705), founded by Sultan Said Khan. During this period, the state experienced long decades of peace and prosperity.

The economy of Yarkand was built on irrigated agriculture, growing wheat, cotton, fruits, and mulberries, as well as on developed crafts such as the production of silk fabrics and carpets. The city was a meeting place for a multitude of cultures—Turkic, Persian, Indian, and Chinese—which was reflected in its architecture, art, and traditions. Initially, Buddhism was widespread in the region, but over time, Islam became the dominant religion, which also shaped the cultural appearance of the city.

Key Milestones in the History of Shache (Yarkand)

The history of the city of Shache, known for centuries as Yarkand, is a chronicle of rises and falls at the crossroads of civilizations on the Great Silk Road. Located in a fertile oasis, it has attracted merchants, conquerors, and travellers for centuries. Below are the main events that formed the image of this ancient city.

• 2nd Century BC — The first mentions of the city under the name Suoche (Shache) appear in the Chinese chronicles of the Han Dynasty.
• End of the 1st Century AD — The region is conquered by the troops of the Chinese Han Dynasty led by General Ban Chao, strengthening the empire's control over trade routes.
• 7th–8th Centuries — During the Tang Dynasty era, Yarkand re-establishes itself as a strategically important point on the Great Silk Road.
• 10th–12th Centuries — The city becomes part of the Turkic Kara-Khanid Khanate; during this period, Islam is definitively established in the region.
• Around 1273 — The Venetian traveller Marco Polo visits Yarkand during his famous journey to China, describing it as a prosperous centre.
• 1514 — Sultan Said Khan, a descendant of Genghis Khan, founds the powerful Yarkand Khanate, making the city his capital.
• 1514–1680 — The golden age of the Yarkand Khanate, when the city becomes a major political, cultural, and religious centre of Eastern Turkestan.
• End of the 17th Century — As a result of internal strife and the weakening of central authority, the Yarkand Khanate falls into dependence on the Dzungar Khanate.
• Mid-18th Century (approx. 1759) — The territory of the former khanate, including Yarkand, becomes part of the Chinese Qing Empire after the defeat of the Dzungars.
• 1820s — The city becomes one of the centres of the uprising led by Jahangir Khoja against the rule of the Qing Empire.

Stages of City Development: From Antiquity to Present Day

The history of Shache (Yarkand) is a vivid example of how geographical location and changing eras shaped the city's appearance. Each historical period left its mark on its economy, culture, and architecture.

• Formation on the Great Silk Road (2nd c. BC — 8th c. AD). Emerging as an oasis for caravans, Yarkand quickly became one of the key trade hubs on the southern branch of the route. This determined its early economic prosperity based on the trade of silk, jade, and other goods. Culturally, the city absorbed influences from various civilizations, including Chinese (Han and Tang dynasties) and Indian, which facilitated the spread of Buddhism.
• Islamization and Turkic Influence (10th–13th c.). With the arrival of the Kara-Khanids, Islam became the dominant religion in the region, which radically changed the cultural landscape. The construction of mosques and madrasas began, and Arab-Persian culture began to exert significant influence on art and science.
• The "Golden Age" of the Yarkand Khanate Capital (1514–1705). This period marked the pinnacle of the city's development. As the capital of a powerful state, Yarkand transformed into a major political, economic, and cultural centre. Crafts flourished (weaving, carpet making), and agriculture developed. Outstanding architectural monuments were created, including the complex of mausoleums of the Yarkand Khans and the tomb of the queen and poetess Amannisahan.
• Integration into the Qing Empire (from the mid-18th c.). After the fall of the Yarkand Khanate, the city became part of the Chinese Qing Empire. It lost its capital status but retained its importance as a significant administrative and trade centre of the region. During this period, Chinese urban planning and cultural influence intensified.
• Transformations in the 20th–21st Centuries. Becoming part of the PRC marked the beginning of the modern era. Infrastructure was modernized, and new roads were built, including highways connecting the region with the rest of the country. The economy received a new impulse through the development of industry and agriculture. Today, Shache combines features of an ancient historical centre that attracts tourists and a modern city integrated into China's economy.

The architectural appearance of the city of Shache, historical Yarkand, represents a unique blend of cultures accumulated over millennia of its existence on the Great Silk Road. The city's urban planning and buildings reflect the eras of its rise and decline, as well as the influence of Persian, Turkic, and Chinese civilizations.

Traditional Uyghur and Islamic Architecture

The foundation of Shache's historical buildings is traditional Uyghur architecture, adapted to the hot and dry climate. It is characterized by the use of rammed earth structures (pakhsa) and adobe bricks. Residential houses typically feature internal courtyards surrounded by living and utility structures. Facades facing the narrow streets of the old city are often windowless, creating a sense of privacy and comfort within the quarters.

With the arrival of Islam in the region, the architecture was enriched with new forms. Mosques with tall minarets, madrasas, and monumental mausoleums appeared. Islamic architecture in Shache, as in all of Eastern Turkestan, absorbed Persian and Central Asian traditions: the use of glazed tiles, pointed arches, domes, and complex geometric ornaments (girih).

Flourishing in the Era of the Yarkand Khanate (16th–17th Centuries)

The "Golden Age" for the city's architecture was the period when Yarkand served as the capital of the powerful Yarkand Khanate. During this time, the most significant architectural ensembles were created, demonstrating a synthesis of Timurid and local architecture. Key monuments of this era include:

• The Complex of Mausoleums of the Yarkand Khans: This necropolis, built in the 16th-17th centuries, serves as the burial place for rulers and their family members. The mausoleums are domed structures, richly decorated with carved ganch (gypsum plaster) and coloured mosaics. The architectural style combines monumentality with the elegance of decor.
• The Tomb of Amannisahan: The mausoleum dedicated to the wife of one of the Khans, a renowned poetess and musician, is a jewel of the architecture of that period. It is distinguished by the fine work of craftsmen who used carved wood and polychrome tiles to create intricate patterns.

Qing and Modern Influence

After the region was incorporated into the Qing Empire in the 18th century, Chinese influence began to manifest in urban planning. This primarily concerned fortifications and administrative buildings. However, traditional Uyghur architecture continued to dominate residential construction. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the urban environment of Shache, like many other cities in China, underwent significant changes. Modern multi-story buildings, wide avenues, and new public spaces have appeared, sitting alongside the preserved quarters of the old city, creating a contrasting and multi-layered urban landscape.

Distinguished Personalities in the History of Shache (Yarkand)

Throughout its centuries-old history, the city of Shache (Yarkand) has been a centre of attraction for rulers, scholars, poets, and warriors. Their destinies are inextricably linked with key events in the life of this oasis on the Great Silk Road.

• Ban Chao (1st Century AD) — An outstanding general of the Chinese Han Dynasty. At the end of the 1st century, he led a campaign into the Western Regions, resulting in the region, including Yarkand, being brought under Han Empire authority. This strengthened China's control over strategically important sections of the Great Silk Road.
• Marco Polo (13th Century) — The famous Venetian merchant and traveller. During his journey to the East, he visited Yarkand, describing it in his "Book of the Marvels of the World" as a prosperous and populous city where trade and crafts were developed. His notes became one of the first European testimonies about life in the region.
• Sultan Said Khan (1487–1533) — The founder and first ruler of the Yarkand Khanate. A descendant of Genghis Khan, he conquered Kashgaria in 1514 and made Yarkand the capital of his new state, initiating its economic and cultural flourishing.
• Mirza Muhammad Haidar Dughlat (1499–1551) — A military commander, statesman, and distinguished historian. Being the cousin of Sultan Said Khan, he held high posts in the Yarkand Khanate. His major work, "Tarikh-i-Rashidi", is an invaluable and most comprehensive source on the history of Moghulistan and the Yarkand Khanate of that era.
• Amannisahan (approx. 1526–1560) — The wife of the Yarkand ruler Abdurashid Khan, a talented poetess and musician. She is credited with an outstanding role in preserving and systematising the Uyghur classical musical heritage — the "Twelve Muqams". Her mausoleum in Shache is one of the main architectural gems and a place of pilgrimage.
• Jahangir Khoja (End of 18th c. – 1828) — The leader of a major uprising against the authority of the Qing Empire in the 1820s. A descendant of an influential religious lineage, he managed to unite dissatisfied segments of the population and temporarily capture Kashgar, Yarkand, and other cities in the region, becoming a symbol of the struggle for independence.