Guldursun-Kala, also Guldursun Qala, in modern Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, was an ancient fortress in Chorasmia built in the 12th century CE.[1] It is one of the largest fortresses of Khwarezm, with perimeter walls of about 1 kilometer in total length, and an internal area of about 6.4 hectares (64,000 square meters, or 15.8 acres).
Guldursun-Kala | |
 Guldursun-Kala | |
  Shown within West and Central Asia  Guldursun-Kala (Uzbekistan) | |
| Alternative name | Guldursun-Kala |
|---|---|
| Location | Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan |
| Coordinates | 41°41′35.1″N 60°58′53.4″E / 41.693083°N 60.981500°E |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Periods | Parthian, Sasanian |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Ruined |
It is part of the "Fifty fortresses oasis" in modern-day Uzbekistan.[2] It was last occupied by Muhammad II of Khwarazm (1169, 1200-20), before it fell to the Mongol conquest of the Khwarazmian Empire.
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Interior panorama of Guldursun-Kala -
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Location of the Guldursun-Kala fortress in the Chorasmian oasis, in relation to other main fortresses
References
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- ^ Ducke, Isa; Thoma, Natascha (2015). Usbekistan (in German). Dumont Reiseverlag. p. 385. ISBN 978-3-7701-7739-4.
- ^ Adrianov, Boris V.; Mantellini, Simone (31 December 2013). Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Area: Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Area. Oxbow Books, Limited. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-78297-167-2.