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

4.2.2. Arrival of Enver 
Enver, one of the three leaders of Ottoman government having decided to 
participate in the Great War at the side of Central Powers, had fled to Russia after the 
defeat and was in collaboration with the Bolsheviks. He was advocated by the 
leaders in Moscow and was prepared for a leadership in Anatolian National 
Resistance against imperial powers in case Mustafa Kemal’s movement failed. 
However, the things did not go on well for Enver. After Moscow Treaty, signed in 16 
March 1921, between Kemal’s government and Moscow, Enver’s plans failed. And 
then, Enver changed his option and began making plans to pass over to Bukhara. 
“After the conclusion of the Soviet-Turkish Treaty of Friendship (March 1921, he 
realized that he could not get Soviet help against Kemal, and apparently decided to 
attempt the realization of his ambitions, using the Basmachi- the adherents of the Ex-
252
Andican, Ahad, 
Cedidizm’den Bagimsizliga Haricte TURKISTAN MUCADELESI
, (Istanbul:Emre 
Yayinlari, 2003), 123. 
253
Caroe, Olaf, 
Soviet Empire:
The Turks of Central Asia and Stalinism,
(New York: St. Martin’s 
Press, 1967), 123. 

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98 
Emir of Bukhara- as the first tool to his hand”.
254
Enver offered the Soviets, with 
whom he was in good relation, to mediate between them and Basmachis. Although 
the Soviet elite in Moscow were suspicious of him, they accepted his offer and let 
him pass to Bukhara. 
Enver was encouraged by Young Bukharan leaders to carry the flag of 
resistance. But, he was also opposed by some Central Asian anti-Bolshevik leaders. 
Although Enver was encouraged to get in resistance by several nationalist members 
of Bukharan new government including Osman Khodzhaev, Ali Reza beg and 
Abdulhamid Arif; Zeki Velide Togan, the leader of Turkestan National Union and 
ex-leader of Bashkurd government, was opposing to Enver’s will to join Basmachis. 
Even, Togan offered Enver to leave Turkestan for Afghanistan.
255
In the letter, sent 
by Togan to Enver, Togan emphasized that Enver’s intervention in this war would 
cause the movement to gain a Pan-Islamist identity, and advised Enver to support the 
Turkestan movement by residing in Afghanistan remotely. Togan, in his letter, 
believed in reaching a solution through founding alliances with internal fractions 
inside Russia, for example he mentioned about cooperating with social revolutionists 
against the Bolsheviks and then forcing Bolsheviks to agree with themselves.
256
In 
sum, Togan believed in solving Turkestan question among residents of Russia, not 
by an outside actor. It was clear that there was a dichotomy between Jadid leaders of 
Bukhara and Russian educated secular Muslim leaders about Enver’s attendance and 
leading for the resistance. But, Enver gave his decision to go through with his 
dreams. 
254
Coates, Zelda K. and W.P.,
 Soviets in Central Asia, (
New York: Greenwood Press, Publishers, 
1951), 80. 
255
Hayit, Baymirza, 
Basmacilar: Turkistan Milli Mucadele Tarihi (1917-1934),
(Turkiye Diyanet 
Vakfi Yayinlari, 1997), 198. 
256
Ibid, 198. 

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99 
Enver stepped in Bukhara on October 1921 at the same month that Jemal was 
recalled by Lenin. Enver was sponsored by the Soviets and was sent to the region 
mediate between the Soviets and Basmachis and to complete Jemal’s mission. His 
aim, as announced, was the same as that which Jemal had failed to reach-alliance 
with Bolshevism in the fight for Islamic ideals against the so-called imperialism.
257
However, he attempted to do the same thing that Jemal had tried. He focused on 
organizing the resistance against the Soviets and rescuing Turkestan from Bolshevik 
rule instead of pacifying the resistance on Turkistan lands and mobilizing a struggle 
for Islamic ideals against British imperialism. Both of the two attempts of the Soviet 
leaders failed. Both Enver and Jemal targeted the Soviets after a while despite having 
a common mission on behalf of the Soviets. The policy of Soviets did not operate 
well. Although the Soviet elite planned to hit British imperialism through the Islamic 
ideals and probable struggle that were planned to organize by Enver and Jemal, they 
became victims of pan-Turkist ideals and programs of Enver and Jemal. The main 
aim was to firstly finish the rebels’ resistance and keep stability in Turkistan, and 
then brings Amanullah’s Afghanistan who was in antagonist position against Britain, 
closer to the Soviet side and then creates a revolutionary wind there that would 
probably strike India, under British imperialism. However, the Red Army had to deal 
with the chaotic situation and played into trouble in Turkistan as a result. Enver put 
his plans into practice immediately and joined the Basmachi groups. “Enver Pasha 
appropriated the old dream of a Pan-Turanian empire, which from the springboard of 
Turkistan would reproduce the conquests of Cinghiz Khan and Taymur(Timur). He 
would be the new conqueror, and Turkey would rid itself of Kemal and join his 
257
Caroe, Olaf,