Gyaur Kala

Gyaur Kala
Karakalpak: Gáwır Qala
Remaining ruins of Gyaur Kala Fortress
Location within Uzbekistan
42°23′34.4″N 59°22′46.8″E / 42.392889°N 59.379667°E / 42.392889; 59.379667
Type	Fortress ruins
Location	Xojeli District, Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan
Region	Khwarazm
Part of	Mizdahkan complex
History
Founded	4,000 BC
Demolished	1221
Site notes
Condition	Ruined
Public access	Limited

Gyaur Kala (Karakalpak: Gáwır Qala [gæwɯr qala]) was an ancient Zoroastrian city in present-day Karakalpakstan. It is part of the Mizdahkan archeological complex.

Name

The name comes from an Arabic term Kafir, that refers to non-Muslims. Alternatively, the name could have been more directly related to the Persian equivalent Gabr. The name in use today likely stems from the 7-8th centuries, when the Muslim conquest of Transoxiana took place.

History

The earliest structures at the fortress date to around 4,000 BC. Later, in 9-11th centuries, the city grew greatly, and a fortified citadel was built

Gyaur Kala fortress was destroyed in 1221 during the Mongol invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire and ever since is in ruins.

References