Emirate of Bukhara

Quick Facts: Who was Emirate of Bukhara?

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Emirate of Bukhara

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Uzbek absolute monarchy in Central Asia, controlling territory between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers.

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Origins & Early Life

The Emirate of Bukhara was an Uzbek absolute monarchy in Central Asia that existed from 1785 to 1920 in what is now parts of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. It occupied the land between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, known formerly as Transoxiana. Its core territory was the fertile land along the lower Zarafshon river, and its urban centres were the ancient cities of Samarqand and the emirate's capital, Bukhara. It was contemporaneous with the Khanate of Khiva to the west, in Khwarazm, and the Khanate of Kokand to the east, in Fergana. In 1920, it ceased to exist with the establishment of the Bukharan People's Soviet Republic.

Career & Major Achievements

The Turco-Mongol tribe of Uzbeks known as "Manghits" were the rulers. Local historiography did not refer to the realm as Emirate of Bukhara. Instead, it commonly referred to it as Māvarā’ al-nahr (Persian and Arabic: ما وراء النهر, lit. 'what is beyond the [‌Amu Darya / Oxus] river', Transoxiana), a long-standing name used for the region between Amu Darya and Syr Darya. Turan or Turkistan was also occasionally used, in contrast to the region south of the Amu Darya, which was called Iran or Khorasan (Persian: خراسان).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The name vilāyat-i Bukhārā (ولایت بخارا, 'Dominion of Bukhara') was also sometimes used. In the 18th and 19th centuries, contradictory accounts of the realm's general layout were given by Bukharan court historians. Authors frequently differed in their accounts of both the number and names of the provinces, regions, and lands comprising the realm. The Emirate of Bukhara was officially created in 1785, upon the assumption of rulership by the Manghit emir, Shah Murad. Shahmurad, formalized the family's dynastic rule (Manghit dynasty), and the khanate became the Emirate of Bukhara.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1785: 1785 Milestone — The Emirate of Bukhara was an Uzbek absolute monarchy in Central Asia that existed from 1785 to 1920 in what is now parts of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
2. 1920: 1920 Milestone — In 1920, it ceased to exist with the establishment of the Bukharan People's Soviet Republic.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emirate of Bukhara

True or False: “The Emirate of Bukhara was always referred to by its local historiography name, 'Emirate of Bukhara'.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Local historiography commonly referred to the realm as Māvarā’ al-nahr (Transoxiana), not specifically the Emirate of Bukhara.

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