Kokand

Kokand is a city in the Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan, positioned at roughly 400 meters above sea level. The city connects several neighboring towns through road and rail lines and sits in a fertile plain between mountain ranges to the north and south.

A fort built in 1732 transformed within a few years into the capital of a khanate that controlled lands reaching into present-day Kazakhstan. Russian troops annexed the khanate in 1876, changing the political order across the entire region.

The Palace of Khudayar Khan opens daily and showcases the work of local craftsmen in woodcarving and ceramic tilework. The designs took shape during the years before 1876, when artisans from the region worked alongside specialists from the north on the interior rooms.

Travelers should plan several hours for visiting the palace and the mosque to see the details in the preserved rooms and courtyards at a comfortable pace. Both sites stand close to each other and are reachable on foot, making a continuous walk through the old center possible.

The city practices a particular way of preparing pilaf with devzira rice, garlic and hot peppers that differs from other recipes in the valley. This combination gives the dish a robust flavor that cooks have handed down through generations.