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

 
2.2. The Great Game on Turkestan: The Early Relations among Russian 
Empire, Ottoman Empire, British Empire and Bukharan Emirate
After the British armies completed the invasion of India and turned towards 
Afghanistan, the first official links were established between Britain and Bukhara in 
1838. At first, Britain guaranteed Bukhara not to intervene and emphasized his aim 
of friendship. However, Bukharan emir Nasrallah gave hostile reactions to British 
officials and rejected hand of friendship. Emir consolidated his rejection by blaming 
the British as infidels.
71
On the other hand, Emir was very close to Russians who 
were also infidels. The main reason behind this policy was Bukhara’s commercial 
links with Russia. However, Emir Nasrallah’s anti-British policies caused Bukhara to 
pay a very heavy burden at the beginning of the 20
th
century. When Emir Alim, the 
last ruler of Bukhara, applied to British officials in India to ask for help against 
Bolsheviks, Britain rejected his application because of early policies of Bukhara 
against Britain. In short, Bukhara damaged its reliance for British Empire.
72
Bukhara’s hostile acts against the other khanates and cooperation with Russia 
69
Ibid,9. 
70
Becker, Seymour, 
Russia’s Protectorates in Central Asia: Bukhara and Khiva, 1865–1924
, 
(London &New York: Routledge Curzon, 2005), 10. 
71
Hatunoglu, Nurettin, 
Turkistan’da Son Turk Devleti Buhara Emirligi ve Alim Khan
, (Istanbul: 
Otuken Nesriyat A.S., 2011), 46.
72
Ibid, 46. 

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32 
threatened the future of Turkestan. Both British and their ally, Ottomans attempted to 
change Bukhara’s pro-Russian and hostile policy. Although Ottoman Empire was not 
as powerful as to have strategic and economic interests and gains in Turkestan, the 
Sublime Porte pursued a pro-British policy because of being an enemy of Tsarist 
Russia and cooperating with England against Russia. Especially, after the Crimean 
War, the Ottoman and British policies were relatively common against Russia. 
73
Since Ottomans had cultural and religious links because of owning the Caliphate, the 
Sublime Port tried to direct these states against Russian Empire. Russian policies 
were harmful and threatening for both the Sublime Port because of attempting to 
reach the high seas over Turkey’s straits, and for England because of threatening 
British existence in India by annexing Turkestan. The main policy developed by the 
British and supported by the Port was to enable the khanates, especially Bukhara, to 
merge and defend them against Russian expansion. 
74
For example, the Sublime Port sent a message to Bukharan emir to express his disturbance about Bukhara’s hostility 
against Khiva and Kokand Khanates. In the message, it is written that: 
For a time, as you are aware that, there have been conflicts and wars in the region and these bloody struggles among 
Muslims gave harms to the patriotism and clemency of the Caliphate. It is hoped by us that you will not approve this evil 
situation due to your responsibility of being a good believer and this evil situation will change into a unity and auspices among 
you.
75
But, the warnings and suggestions to the emirate did not make any impact. 
The skirmishes among the three khanates maintained and benefited Russians in terms 
of intervening and controlling the region. On the other side, the Emirate was the 
fewer payers of the internal conflicts among the Muslim khanates. It was put into the 
protectorate after Russian invasion but secured more advantages and rights than the 
Khanate of Khiva, which was limited to protectorate with very few rights. The 
73
Hatunoglu, Nurettin, 
Turkistan’da Son Turk Devleti Buhara Emirligi ve Alim Khan
, (Istanbul: 
Otuken Nesriyat A.S., 2011), 48. 
74
Ibid, 48-49. 
75
Ibid, 48. 

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33 
biggest payer was Kokand, because it was destroyed and took his place in pages of 
history as a result of Russian total occupation.