The Historical Geography of Sogdiana during Islamic Era

Old province Sogdiana, comprising two major city states- Samarkand and Bukhara which had ancient civilization and brilliant cultural heritage, was the most important province of Transoxian. Achaemenids, Seleucids, Kushaniyan, Hayateleh, Turks and Sasanians rule in this region at a time. At the interval between fall of the Sassanid (652 A.D) and conquest of Transoxiana by Muslim (second half of the first century A.H), Sogdian cities states flourished and took Sassanid cultural heritage. At this time, Sogdiana was devided into Bokhara Sogdiana and Samarkand Sogdiana. At the time of Muslims entry, Transoxiana were ruled by local rulers who enjoyed relative political independence. They were named Soghdshah, Ekhshid, Warkhuman, Tarkhun and Ghurak. By formation of Samanian sovereignty, the states of Sogdiana went uniformly under their rule (279-389 A.H). Until the Mogul raid, Sogdiana was a splendid state, but after, it lost its important status. But in the time of Timur the interregnum continued. The presen article investigates natural situation and political, economic, social and cultural background of Sogdiana by presenting its historical geography.