Ancient Khorezm, Kangju and the state of Davan

According to the textbook, in the 4th century BCE Khorezm broke away from the Achaemenid state and stayed independent in the time of Alexander and the Seleucids. The economy rested on farming. City-building in Khorezm began in the 7th century BCE (Kuzaliqir); large fortresses — Qalaliqir, Jonbosqala, Qoyqirilganqala (a strong circular temple) — are famous. In the 2nd–3rd centuries CE Toprakkala was built: surrounded by mighty walls, with a central street and quarters, its palace walls decorated with images of kings, musicians and animals, and painted clay statues stood in a hall. Crafts developed in Khorezm (pottery, weapons, jewellery); silver and copper coins were minted in the 1st century BCE and early centuries CE; a local script, and a local calendar worked out in the 1st century CE, were used until the 8th century. The state of Kangju (Kang; Kangyuy in Chinese sources) formed about the 3rd century BCE in the Tashkent oasis and along the Syr Darya; the northern branch of the Silk Road crossed its land, its rulers minted their own coins, and it broke up in the 3rd century CE. The state of Davan (Dayuan) existed in the Fergana Valley (3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE); rice, wheat and grapes were grown there. Chinese rulers prized the fast, strong Fergana horses as “heavenly horses” and campaigned against Davan for them (104–101 BCE) but failed to subdue the state.