Mahmudkhoja Behbudi Didn’t Just Propose Ideas – He Lived by Them

Uzbekistan is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mahmudkhoja Behbudi, the founder of the Jadid movement in Turkestan.

Mahmudkhoja Behbudi remains a vivid symbol of progress and enlightenment. His life and work continue to inspire the pursuit of knowledge and service to society. His views, based on a harmonious blend of traditional values and modern knowledge, remain relevant in the rapidly changing world of the 21st century. Behbudi did not merely propose ideas — he lived by them, devoting his life to the enlightenment of the people. His writings, full of appeals for freedom of thought and responsibility for the future of the homeland, serve as a powerful example for the youth.

The educator advocated for educational reform, equality, the development of national literature and theater, as well as democratic transformation. These principles align with the goals of New Uzbekistan, where the focus is on shaping harmoniously developed individuals capable of creation and innovation. Behbudi’s life, full of challenges and achievements, shows how one can overcome the constraints of an era by striving for knowledge and progress. He traveled the world, learned languages, introduced advanced teaching methods, and demonstrated that dreams and ambitions can be achieved through perseverance and belief in one’s ideals. The popularization of his work helps young people understand their national identity, feel pride in their historical heritage, and inspires them toward self-development.

In March 2023, during his address to participants of the International Conference dedicated to the study of the Jadids’ legacy, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated:
“The Jadids, as progressive representatives of their time, came forward with the idea of national development through the dissemination of knowledge and enlightenment, as well as the fundamental reform of the education and upbringing system in extremely difficult conditions... Their initiatives and noble deeds resonated widely in society and turned into a powerful force.”

Today, the mission of society is to revive this potential and direct it toward nurturing an active and creative generation. Therefore, in recent years, Uzbekistan has actively promoted Mahmudkhoja Behbudi’s legacy across education, culture, and media sectors.

A monument to Behbudi has been erected at the Writers’ Alley in the capital, and a house-museum where he lived and worked has been opened in Samarkand. These efforts aim to create conditions for deep study of the educator’s ideas and make them accessible to a wider audience, especially the youth.

Extensive work is also planned this year under the Presidential Decree "On the wide celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Jadid movement in Turkestan, the outstanding writer, public figure, publisher, and educator Mahmudkhoja Behbudi" dated December 27, 2024. Updates to the museum’s exhibits and landscaping of its surrounding area are planned to attract more young visitors. A street in Karshi will be named after Behbudi, with the installation of a memorial plaque. This will not only immortalize the great ancestor's memory but also create a space for patriotic education.

A series of major educational events are scheduled. An essay contest titled “Lessons of Mahmudkhoja Behbudi” will be held among students of general and creative schools, cadets of the Temurbeklar School, and university students. The event encourages exploration of the educator’s life and ideas, developing analytical thinking and literary creativity. A scholarship named after Behbudi has been established for students at the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan, and a similar prize in the field of drama motivates young people to actively engage in the country’s cultural and scientific life.

Literary and educational evenings also help promote the legacy of the great ancestor. A ceremonial literary evening is scheduled for November at the Alisher Navoi State Academic Grand Theater, where Behbudi’s contributions to culture will be discussed and new editions of his legendary works will be presented.

Such events have been successfully held in the past, attracting youth through interactive formats, including readings and discussions. For instance, in 2020, the National Library of Uzbekistan hosted an exhibition marking the 145th anniversary of Mahmudkhoja Behbudi’s birth.

Theater art — whose foundations in Uzbekistan were laid by Behbudi with his 1914 play “Padarkush” (“The Parricide”) — also remains an important tool for popularizing his ideas. New stage productions dedicated to the educator’s life are being planned, along with audiovisual projects for social media and mass media, making the legacy accessible to the digital generation and showing the modern relevance of Jadidist ideas.

The inclusion of Mahmudkhoja Behbudi’s legacy in school literature and history curricula, as well as the organization of regular youth forums on Jadidism, promises to play a vital role. This year, a collection of “Selected Works” and popular-scientific books about his life will be published and distributed to schools, universities, and libraries.

Popularizing the legacy is not just about preserving the past — it is a strategic investment in Uzbekistan’s future. The ideas of our enlightened ancestors on education, equality, and progress shape the qualities needed in youth for the country’s continued development.

Studying Behbudi’s works helps young people appreciate their history and culture, strengthening patriotism and national consciousness. He believed that education is the foundation of progress — and his example continues to inspire youth toward self-improvement and the pursuit of knowledge. Behbudi’s social activism, his fight for human rights, and openness to new knowledge demonstrate the importance of civic engagement and defending one’s beliefs. His approach, rooted in a synthesis of tradition and modernity, teaches us to seek creative solutions that combine respect for cultural heritage with a drive for innovation.

Behbudi’s legacy is not a frozen monument of the past — it is a living source of wisdom, illuminating the path to the future. By educating young people based on his ideals, Uzbekistan is building a society where every youth can become a creator, a patriot, and a worthy heir to the work of great ancestors.

And as Behbudi himself once said: “Rights are not given — they are earned.” Today, this struggle continues — for the minds and hearts of a new generation ready for great accomplishments.

Pravda Vostoka newspaper