The formation of the Emirate of Bukhara

In 1736 an army led by Reza Quli, son of the Iranian shah Nadir Shah, crossed the Amu Darya and seized many lands; it turned back because Khiva’s khan Elbars was coming to help. In 1740 Nadir Shah himself marched on Bukhara: the khanate had no regular army, Khiva’s khan was busy with his own troubles, and Muhammad Rahim, son of the Manghit Muhammad Hakim Biy, had gone over to Nadir Shah. Under the treaty Nadir Shah was recognised as overlord, the Bukhara Khanate became dependent on Iran, tribute was paid and a force of 10,000 men was sent to Nadir Shah. Muhammad Hakim Biy became qushbegi and in practice took all power; when he died in 1743, Muhammad Rahim was appointed in his place. After Nadir Shah was killed in 1747, the internal struggles in Iran gave Muhammad Rahim his chance: Abulfayz Khan was killed, a young nominal khan was set up, and in 1756 Muhammad Rahim took full power. The Manghits were not descended from Genghis Khan, so later (from Shahmurad’s time) they called themselves amirs, not khans, and the dynasty ruled until 1920; Shahmurad (1785–1800) eased taxes, struck pure silver coins and earned respect among the people.