Chapters from “O‘tkan kunlar”

The textbook gives seven chapters of the novel (shortened). “Otabek Yusufbek hoji o‘g‘li”: in a Margilan caravanserai, the young Tashkent merchant Otabek receives guests in his room – Rahmat and his uncle Homid. The author gives Otabek’s appearance and also introduces the elderly Hasanali, who from slavery became a member of the family. In their talk about marriage, Otabek and Rahmat hold views contrary to Homid’s. “Bek oshiq” (“The Bek is in love”): Hasanali, worried that Otabek has been thoughtful for several days, realises from Otabek’s sleep-talk at night that he has fallen in love. “Toshkand ustida qonliq bulutlar” (“Bloody clouds over Tashkent”): news comes that Azizbek, ruler of Tashkent, has risen against the Khan of Kokand; in a letter Otabek’s father Yusufbek Hoji urges him to be careful and not to come to Tashkent for now. “To‘y, qizlar majlisi” (“The wedding, the girls’ gathering”): Kumushbibi is sad even at the girls’ party and bursts into tears after a song. “Kutilmagan baxt” (“Unexpected happiness”): the marriage rite is read; on seeing the groom Kumush says “Is it you?” – earlier they had met by chance in the qutidor’s courtyard and fallen in love. “Yusufbek hoji”: Hasanali reaches Tashkent and says Otabek has been jailed by the governor of Margilan. “Hukmnoma” (“The verdict”): the qushbegi announces a sentence, but when Kumush brings her father-in-law’s letter, the carrying out of the sentence is stopped, Otabek and the qutidor are freed, and the case is to be examined later.