His yesteryears tiny republic was in fact created within Uzbekistan. At one time during its earlier reign, the capital city of Dushanbe was popularly known as Stalinabad. Tajikistan gained independent status in 1929 and its formation had started from Dushanbe, a village of 3000 occupants. The first Tajik newspaper came into being in 1926. One thing that attracts great attention is that despite having started out small, the Tajik education system came into being almost instantaneously. The official languages here are Tajik, Uzbek and Russian. Recognized as the Republic of Tajikistan, despite its tiny frame it exists and enthralls tourists at all times.