ORIGIN OF THE BOUKHARA

This publication is devoted to the etymology and history of the origin of the name Bukhara. This name comes from the Sanskrit term vihara, meaning “Buddhist temple”. But at the same time, it does not go back directly, but through the Turkic transcription of this term, which has the form “Bukhara”. This toponym itself arose in relation to the ancient city of Ramitan, as its second name. This city, in the very center of the Bukhara oasis, was one of the early medieval capitals of Western Sogd, and there actually was a Buddhist temple in it. Subsequently, this second name of the capital became associated with the region - Western Sogd - and there it also began to be designated as Bukhara. While another city, which is now known by this name, was designated as Numijkat. After Ramitan lost its capital status, and Numijkat finally became the political center of Western Sogd, now the name “Bukhara” began to be associated with it. Over time, the name Numijkat was forgotten, and the name Bukhara, which was assigned to this city, was preserved forever.