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

.
84
When the Emir of Bukhara realized the danger, it was 
too late. Russia was a reality in the region and they had to learn how to get along 
with a major power. Although the Emir made several attempts against Russian 
influence in Turkestan, it failed. “The emir renewed efforts to organize a coalition 
comprising Kokand, Khiva, Kashgar and Afghanistan and backed by Turkey and 
Great Britain, but his overtunes were everywhere rejected”.
85
 
For the Emir, there was 
no any choice rather than agreeing and obeying Russians. 
83
Ibid, 33. 
84
Allworth, Edward et al., 
Central Asia: A Century of Russian Rule,
ed. Edward Allworth,(New York: 
Columbia University Press, 1967), 145. 
85
Becker, Seymour, 
Russia’s Protectorates in Central Asia: Bukhara and Khiva, 1865–1924
,(London 
&New York:Routledge Curzon,2005), 30. 

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36 
2.4. The Improving Relations between the Emir and Tsarist Russia 
The deteriorated relations after the 1868 Treaty was a bit repaired with the 
treaty of 1873. Russia rewarded the Emir of Bukhara because of the Emir’s aids and 
support to Russian forces in their campaign against Khivan Khanate.Bukharan Emir 
Muzaffar al Din preferred helping Russians in the Khivan campaign of Russia and 
cared about Russian interests at that time. On the other side, the Emirate again chose 
to attack a Central Asian Muslim country instead of helping him to war against an 
infidel.
During the campaign against Khiva the emir of Bukhara preserved a friendly attitude toward Russia, probably more 
out of fear than any nobler emotion.
86
…Muzaffar responded immediately to the governor general’s (General Von Petrovich 
Kaufman
87
) request for fresh grain and camels. On April 23 Kaufman wrote the emir, thanking him for his hospitality and 
calling him Russia’s trustworthy friend and ally.
88
Indeed, Bukharan Emir had no choice rather than aiding Russians. He tried to 
pursue a balance policy not to be exposed to Russian threat.
 
Russian Governor 
General Kaufman believed in the emir’s sincerity and loyalty and gave him a small 
strip of Khivan territory on the right bank of the Amu Darya as a reward although the 
emir’s policy was relatively self-interested, for instance, he secretly supported the 
resistance of Khivan Turcomans while seeming friendly to Russia at the same time
.
89

After the emirate came under the protectorate of Russians, Bukharan Emir 
was respected more than other khanates by Russians. The Emirate was seen as the 
best ally of Tsarist rule. Among other khanates, the best relations with Governorate 
General of Turkistan were conducted by Bukhara. This was an advantage for 
Bukharan elite. In addition, Russians gave higher status to Bukharan Emirate rather 
86
Ibid, 60. 
87
General Von Petrovich Kaufman was the first Governor General of Turkestan between 1867-1881. 
He was known as conqueror of Turkestan in Russian military history. 
88
Becker, Seymour, 
Russia’s Protectorates in Central Asia: Bukhara and Khiva, 1865–1924
,(London 
&New York:Routledge Curzon,2005), 60. 
89
Becker, Seymour, 
Russia’s Protectorates in Central Asia: Bukhara and Khiva, 1865–1924
,(London 
&New York:Routledge Curzon,2005), 60. 

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37 
than Khiva and Kokand. Russia behaved Bukhara more generously than other two 
khanates in the 1873 agreement. For example, Bukharan emir had the right to 
communicate with Russian government directly although Kokand was destroyed and 
Khiva was forced to withdraw part of its territory. While Khiva was called “the 
docile servant of the Emperor of all the Russians” and forced to accept the 
administrative hierarchy under Russian rule through the 1873 agreement, it seemed a 
type of friendship treaty to Bukhara.