Three states: territory, population and government
Lessons 1–2 · 2 lessons · S. Tillaboyev, A. Zamonov. O‘zbekiston tarixi (History of Uzbekistan, second half of the 19th – early 20th century), Grade 9, 3rd edition. “Sharq” Publishing House, Tashkent, 2019
2
Administrative system of the Uzbek khanates in the mid-19th century
Textbook: pp. 8–10
GoalLearn about the rulers, dynasties and main offices in the khanates.
New words
chief minister (Bukhara) · qo‘shbegiofficial in charge of the treasury and records · devonbegichief judge · qozikalonhead of the night watch / city police · mirshabboshi
Explanation
In all three states the supreme ruler’s power was inherited and not limited by law: an amir in Bukhara (Mangit dynasty), a khan in Khiva (Kungrat dynasty) and a khan in Kokand (Ming dynasty). The capitals were the cities of Bukhara, Khiva and Kokand. In Bukhara executive power was held by the chief minister, the qushbegi (qo‘shbegi); finance and taxes went to the devonbegi, religious-legal affairs to the shaykh ul-Islam and the mufti, and court matters to the qozikalon. In Khiva the devonbegi was the senior official, with a mirobboshi for irrigation and a yasovulboshi for the army. In Kokand military matters lay with the amirlashkar and the mingboshis, and the mehtar watched over the treasury. Provinces were divided into begliks governed by beks appointed by the ruler; qozis judged according to Islamic rules, and the mirshabs kept order in towns.
Worked examples
In Bukhara finance and tax collection were handled by the devonbegi, who was supported by a mirzaboshi (keeper of documents). So tax accounts and records formed one system.
In Khiva, if a canal broke, the mirobboshi called people out to restore the water supply; he was responsible for irrigation because farming depended on water.
Class activity
“Office – duty”: shuffled cards (office names and duties) are matched in pairs; count how many correct pairs pupils find in one minute.
What was the chief minister called in Bukhara and what did he do?
The qushbegi; he headed executive power, and appointments of officials were made on his recommendation.
3
Match each duty to an office: water distribution (Khiva), treasury supervision (Kokand), religious affairs (Bukhara).
Water distribution – mirobboshi; treasury – mehtar; religious affairs – shaykh ul-Islam (mufti).
4
How might ruling the provinces through the ruler’s own relatives and favourites have affected a state? Give reasons.
Power stayed in a narrow circle, making it harder for capable or fair people to rise; loyalty to the ruler mattered more than skill. For discussion: such a system could be stable under a strong ruler but prone to conflict under a weak one.