Khotan
Khotan is an oasis town and a prefecture in the Taklamakan desert that was part of the southern silk road. Two strong rivers provided the water that made this town inhabitable in the midst of the second largest desert. Presently located in the southern Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, this ancient city has a rich history. It was once famous for its silk, jade and pottery. Today, however, this dusty Uighur town is off the beaten path. No longer the great trading city of the past, this town is now a large, if out of the way agricultural town. The alternate modern Chinese spelling for the town and region is Hotan (和田地區).
The town lies just west of the White Jade River, named for the white jade that was recovered from its alluvial deposits. Most of the jade is now gone, but an occasional piece may still be found. The river still provides water and irrigation for the town though.
Khotan is now famous for the discovery of caucasoid mummies, and are evidence of long term inhabitation of the area by the Tocharians. The desert atmosphere has preserved perishable items such as wood and fabric, attracting archaeologists. The area is rich in archaeological sites that are buried beneath the desert sand.
Facts
- Area - 40 Miles Across
- Airport Code - HTN
- Culture - Uighur
- Population - 1.4 Million (Town & Region)
- Religion - Muslim
Historical
- Tocharians - Early Indo-European culture
- Kingdom of Khotan
- Kushan Empire
- Han conquest - 73 A.D
- Uighur uprising - 1995
Modern
- Uighur Separatist Movement
References
- Puri, B. N. Buddhism in Central Asia, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, 1987. (2000 reprint)