Introduction
Termez (Uzbek: Termiz) is a city in southern Uzbekistan near the border with Afghanistan. The city was named by Greeks who came with Alexander the Great.
Termez means in Greek “hot” or “hot place” (Thermo or Thermos). It is still the hottest point of Uzbekistan. It has a population of 140,404 (1 January 2005), and is the capital of the Surxondaryo Province.
Its most famous native son is Al-Tirmidhi, born in its suburb Bugh and buried in 60 kilometers north of Termez, on the outskirts of Sherobod. He is locally known as Iso At Termezi or Termez Ota (Father of Termez City).
An ancient settlement was discovered near Termez, which was populated in the times of the Greek-Bactrain rule (3rd – 2nd c. B.C). It was center of Buddhism at the period of Kushans (1st-2nd c. C.E.) When Arabs came (in the 7th-8th c.) the city became the center of Islam.
Said Baraka, Amir Temur’s teacher was from old Termiz. Said Baraka was a philosopher, war strategist and religious nobleman. During Amir Temur’s time Termez continued to prosper, however it was destroyed at the end of the 17th century.
Al Khakim At Termizi, one of the famous Sufi leaders, is buried in the suburbs of Termez.
In 1897 the modern city emerged with Russian fortress and garrison.