THE CENTRAL CITY IN THE SOUTHERN ARAL REGION: KUNGRAD (XVII-XIX CENTURIES)

Abstract: This article provides an extensive historical analysis of the development of Kungrad, the geostrategetic and cultural hub of the Southern Aral region between the 17th and 19th centuries. Situated in the fertile lands of the Amu Darya delta and serving as a pivotal node on the Silk Road, Kungrad was not merely a commercial outpost but also a vibrant center for regional governance, advanced craftsmanship, and cross-cultural exchange. The study delves into the autonomous structure and evolution of the “Aral Ulus,” a political entity representing the collective will of the Karakalpaks and Aral Uzbeks amidst complex relations with the Khanates of Khiva and Bukhara. The socio-economic fabric of the city, the strategic control of waterways, and the transformation within this basin where steppe culture intersected with sedentary life are presented as cornerstones in the construction of Karakalpakstan's historical identity. Furthermore, the article aims to affirm the significance of the region's administrative traditions and intellectual heritage within modern Central Asian historiography. Key words: Southern Aral Region, Kungrad, Aral Ulus, Silk Road, Amu Darya Delta, History of Karakalpakstan, XVII-XIX Centuries.