Bukhara (Uzbek: Buxoro; Tajik: Бухоро; Persian: بخارا‎‎; Russian: Бухара), is one of the cities (viloyat) of Uzbekistan. Bukhara is a city-museum, with about 140 architectural monuments. The nation's fifth-largest city, it had a population as of 24 April 2014 of approximately 272,710. Humans have inhabited the region around Bukhara for at least five millennia, and the city has existed for half that time. Located on the Silk Road, the city has long served as a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion. UNESCO has listed the historic center of Bukhara (which contains numerous mosques and madrassas) as a World Heritage Site.

Names

Bukhara was known as Bukhoro in 19th- and early 20th-century English publications and as Buhe/Puhe（捕喝）in Tang Chinese. According to the Encyclopædia Iranica the name Bukhara is possibly derived from the Soghdian βuxārak ("Place of Good Fortune") which in turn is derived from Sanskrit vihara which means Buddhist monasteries. Bukhara emerged as an urban centre of Buddhism in the ancient times along the Silk Route in Central Asia.

Bukhara is a restaurant at the Luxury Collection ITC Maurya Hotel in New Delhi, India. It was established in 1977.

Description

The restaurant serves cuisine in a clay ‘tandoor’ oven with a special emphasis on kebabs, which are served without cutlery. Signature dishes include the Sikandari Raan (Marinated Whole Leg of Spring Lamb) and Murgh Malai Kebab (Creamy Chicken Kebab). J.P. Singh is the Executive Chef at the restaurant, which has maintained its menu for the last 30 years.

The restaurant was voted Best Asian restaurant and 37th best in the world by Restaurant Magazine, UK in 2007. It has often found a place amongst the magazine's top 50 ratings since 2002.

Celebrity visits

Celebrity guests include former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2009, US Secretary of state Hillary Clinton, also visited the restaurant, the "Hillary Platter" later became part of the menu, in line with "Presidential Platter" based on the non-vegetarian dishes ordered by Bill Clinton during his visit, and also "Chelsea Platter" composed of vegetarian dishes ordered by Chelsea Clinton. In Jan 2012 Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the restaurant for dinner and enjoyed one of the restaurant's famous giant naan breads.

Bukhara or Bokhara can refer to: