MAHMUDKHUJA BEHBUDIY - THE GUARDIAN OF TURKESTAN YOUTH

Аннотация

This article examines the significant role of Mahmudkhuja Behbudiy as a key figure in the enlightenment and development of youth in Turkestan. The text highlights his dedication toeducation, national identity, and theoverall well-being ofthe youngergeneration. Keywords: Turkestan Youth, Jadidism/Jadids, Enlightener/Ma'rifatparvar, Independence, National Identity/Self-awareness, Secular Education/Modern Sciences, New Method School, Library-Reading Room. After gaining independence, which the peoples of Uzbekistan had dreamed of, awaited, and fought for over centuries, many figures who tirelessly struggled for independence, devoted their knowledge and talent to awakening the broad masses from the slumber of ignorance, and even sacrificed their lives when the time came, have passed away. One such dedicated individual is Mahmudkhuja Behbudiy, an enlightener, encyclopedist, and known as the father of Turkestan Jadids. During the former Soviet era, he was branded as a "Jadidist," "Turkophile," and "enemy of the people," and negative opinions were expressed about him. They also said, "Behbudiy was a representative of the bourgeoisie and propagated the ideas of Pan-Turkism and Pan-Islamism". Whowas Behbudiy, who was labeled an"enemy of thepeople" and "bourgeoisie"? MahmudkhujaBehbudiy was a deep-hearted, pure-spirited person who "understood himselfto be achild of Turkestan". He was a devoted mufti,and first and foremost, aservant of God like all of us. He was a true Muslim and did not deny progress. Behbudiy, who did not abandon secular knowledge, strove to implement it in the schools of Turkestan. In 1905, he opened a new method school in the village of Kaftarhona mahalla in Samarkand, where he educated and trained 40 students. He wrote and published textbooks for the school children. Students in this new school mastered inone year theknowledge that would take3-4 years tolearn in ordinary schools. In the development of national education and culture in the region, and for the youth to become knowledgeable and enlightened, Behbudiy was among the first in Turkestan to open a library- reading room for the local people in Samarkand in 1908, enriching the library's fund with his own resources. He worked with the understanding that "our ancestors wrote many of the books we should read, and we should study and learn all sciences like them". He left behind numerous books and articles on the development of culture and spirituality, human health and development, and many other topics that we still do not know about. Behbudiy began to work for the intellectual and informed upbringing of the young generation at the beginning of our century, when we were still oppressed under colonial rule. Mahmudkhuja Behbudiy cared for the youth of Turkestan, wishing and fighting for thescientificadvancement oftheyoung generation. To master developed science and knowledge, Behbudiy strived for the young generation to grow physically strong and well-developed. He fiercely fought against all the vices that hindered the healthy and agile growth of Turkestan youth. Mahmudkhuja Behbudiy fought for the future https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi volume 4,issue5,2025 1339 generation to grow up knowledgeable, enlightened, and physically healthy. Therefore, we must notforget thelegacies ofgreat ancestors likehimand bringjoyto theirspirits Thelistofused literature 1.Vadud Mahmud. "Mahmudkhoj 1920, July8. 2.M.Vakhobov, "Uzbek SocialistNation", Tashkent, 1971. 3."Appeal to thePeople", "Oyina" magazine, 1914,No. 21. 4.("Muntakhabi Jugrafiyai Umumiy", "Turkistan Scholars" section, 1905.pages 9-10, 5."Samarkand" newspaper, 1913,No. 3 https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi volume 4,issue5,2025 1340