The bukharan emirate and turkestan under russian rule in the revolutionary era: 1917-1924

 
 
 
 
 
 

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CHAPTER 2 
RUSSIAN INTERVETION AND BIRTH OF JADIDISM 
 
 
In this chapter, I focus on the early Russian expansion and conquests in the 
region. I also review rivalry among Russia, Britain and Ottomans over the region. In 
addition, the improving between Bukharan Emir and Tsar, capital penetration in 
Bukhara, and national awakening in Central Asia are analyzed. Also, I touch upon 
Jadidism, reasons of emergence of Jadidism, difference between Jadids and Russian 
educated intellectuals. Finally, I point out Emir Alim Khan, the last ruler of Bukhara, 
and his pro-modern and anti-reformist character. 
2.1. Early Russian Expansion and Campaigns 
Under the rule of the Golden Horde, born just after the division of Genghisid 
Empire among his sons; the Kipchak Steppe, can be called as European Russia, and 
the Kazakh Steppe of Central Asia were in interaction in terms of both political unity 
and economy. The trade ways on the Steppe regions were controlled by the Horde. 
The commercial and trans-shipment system continued after the decline of the Horde

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in the late 14
th
century.
65
After that time, Muscovy, the future Russia, began 
expanding to the Steppes to fill in the power vacuum in the area. Russia conquered 
the Kazan Khanate in 1552 and Astrakhan in 1556 thus succeeded in opening the 
way to the Kazakh Steppe. “Commerce was the major concern of the embassies from 
Central Asia in the 17
th
century. Bukhara and Khivan merchants maintained an active 
trade, carrying their goods to Astrakhan, Samara, Kazan, Nizhii Novgorod, Iaroslavl, 
and Moscow itself.” 
66
 
However Russian merchants could not trade because 
Bukharans and Khivans were suspicious of non Moslem merchants in their region.
They did not want to share their commercial monopoly inside their countries. In 
addition the Russian citizens, the merchants and fishermen near the Caspian Sea 
were captured by Kazakh and Turcoman raiders and sold in slavery in Bukhara and 
Khiva. Neither Khivan nor Bukharan administration did prevent nomads from 
making these assaults. 
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The principal duties of Moscow’s embassies in the khanates 
at that period were to rescue the Russian citizens and collect information regarding 
trade routes to India.
The first armed expedition of Russia to the region was held by Peter the Great 
(1689-1725) towards the Khivan Khanate. However, the attempt failed and the result 
was horrifying for the Russians. The Khivans slaughtered soldiers and sold the 
remains into slavery. 
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Russia in the early 18
th
century was not so strengthened to 
make successful campaigns to Central Asia. Therefore, Peter I changed his policy 
from direct penetration of the region to improvement of commercial relations, 
rescuing Russian citizens from slavery and opening a trade route to India. However it 
65
Becker, Seymour, 
Russia’s Protectorates in Central Asia: Bukhara and Khiva, 1865–1924
, 
(London &New York: Routledge Curzon, 2005), 9. 
66
Becker, Seymour, 
Russia’s Protectorates in Central Asia: Bukhara and Khiva, 1865–1924
, 
(London &New York: Routledge Curzon, 2005), 9. 
67
Ibid,9. 
68
Ibid, 9. 

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could not succeed in other policies except improving trade. 
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Russia had to struggle 
with the Kazakh nomads who raid both Russian people along the Russian frontier 
and the trading caravans during the 18
th
century. Russian armies occupied the 
Kazakh Steppe between 1824 and 1854 and this was the first of the Steppe’s history 
to be ruled by a sedentary power.
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