city, east-central Uzbekistan, in a thickly populated oasis in the Zeravshan River valley. It began in the 18th century as a centre of trade and handicrafts and now has various light-industrial plants for processing local agricultural produce. The Kattakurgan Reservoir on the nearby Zeravshan River is used for irrigation and recreation, and the city has an Uzbek theatre of musical drama. Pop. (latest est.) 59,600.