Introducing

        Alisher Navoi's numerous writings, endowments, and his life example have had lasting influence. Today, in the modern country of Uzbekistan , he is revered above all other poets. The name of Alisher Navoi is visible throughout the country. Major streets, theatres, museums, parks, and even a province and city are named after him. His proverbs are on the tongues of Uzbeks, Turkmen and Tajiks. He is considered the father of the Uzbek language and one of the greatest poets of Central Asia .
        Navoi lived from 1441 to 1501 in Herat , Afghanistan . As a child, his skill for poetry was recognized and his father made sure he received the proper training. When his foster brother Hussien Baykara became the Emir, Navoi naturally became his prime minister. He was a wise statesman, who advised Baykara on many matters. Once when Baykara's son's rebelled as a prince of nearby Balkh , Navoi paid a personal visit to persuade him otherwise. Navoi was a good steward of his high position and helped establish many needed institutions. "Nawai (Navoi) is reputed to have founded, restored and endowed no fewer than 370 mosques, schools, libraries, hospitals and other pious and charitable institutions in Khurasan alone." (Devereux, Robert. Muslim World 54 1964, p 270 -287).
         Navoi's greatest contribution, however, comes in the realm of the arts. Under his guidance and patronage of art and culture Herat blossomed to one of its finest periods. Navoi himself wrote over 100,000 lines of poetry, including six epic poems. He wrote passionately for peace and acceptance and vehemently against oppression and violence. While he was still alive, his contemporaries considered him to be the best Eastern Turkish writer ever. This claim is still true today. "The impact of Nawai's works on all Turkic peoples and languages cannot be overestimated. He exerted a profound influence not only on later Central Asian authors who wrote in Caghatay up till the beginning of the 20 th century, but also on the development of Azeri, Turkmen, Uyghur, Tatar and Ottoman Turkish literatures." (Subtelny , M.E. Islamic Encyclopedia.)
        In closing let me explain the meaning behind our name NavoiGarden.com. In Persian and Chagatay literature the word 'garden' can be a metaphor for 'soul'. However, in the world there are not many 'garden's' to be seen. The world does not nourish our souls, but distracts us from the deeper things and takes away any peace we may have in ourselves. In our dying world Navoi is a lasting garden. His works contain many timeless truths that nourish and encourage the use of our soul. As Navoi would say, "what is the use of a soul if it does not have God, what is the use of a garden if it has no flowers?" We hope you can find some rest in Navoi's own garden which include the links on the right side of the home page. The second meaning has to do with the links that are on left side of the home page. Uzbeks consider Navoi the father of their language. He exalted their language to a height that few poets in the world could ever be capable of. The many Uzbek poets and writers of modern Uzbekistan owe their rich heritage to him. They in turn carry on his legacy of a value for poetry, literature and art to a new generation. They are the perennial flowers of his labour.