Foreign policy of the Khiva Khanate

In the first half of the 19th century Khiva had trade and diplomatic ties with Bukhara, Kokand, Afghanistan, Iran, India and the Ottoman state; the khanate’s land was a staging place for pilgrims and merchants travelling across the Caspian. Khiva and Bukhara fought several times over Merv: Muhammad Rahim Khan I took Merv back in 1822 and, according to the textbook, Khiva annexed it in 1845. Allaquli Khan built a caravanserai with 105 cells and a domed tim beside it for foreign merchants. Trade with Russia benefited both sides: Khiva carried cotton, silk, carpets and dried fruit, while Russia sent metals, cloth and dyes. But after Russia subdued the Kazakh Middle Zhuz in 1822 and the Lesser Zhuz in 1824, the borders drew close; in 1839 V. Perovsky’s expedition had to turn back because of the cold in Ustyurt and lack of food. On 27 December 1842, under Russian pressure, the “Act of Obligations” was signed: Khiva undertook not to act with hostility toward Russia, to protect caravans from plunder and to ensure the safety of Russian subjects; duty on Russian goods was fixed at no more than 5 percent, but Russia did not keep this clause. In 1847 Russia built military forts on the way to the khanates; later, Russian–British understandings on spheres of influence left the Uzbek states isolated.