Lessons 8–9 · 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
9
Establishment of the Russian Empire's protectorate over the Emirate of Bukhara
Textbook: pp. 31–35
GoalExplain the battle for Samarkand, the treaty of 1868 and how Bukhara became a protectorate.
New words
state that keeps internal rule but whose foreign policy is controlled by another power · protektoratdependent ruler subject to a stronger state · vassalZarafshan District (1868) · Zarafshon okrugiRussian political representative at the emir’s court · siyosiy agent
Explanation
In 1868 von Kaufman proposed that Emir Muzaffar approve a new frontier; after a refusal he marched on Samarkand with a detachment of over 4 thousand men. On 1 May 1868 (Old Style) the emir’s army was defeated at Chupan-Ata hill, and Samarkand was taken the next day. On 2 June the emir’s army was beaten again at Zirabulak hill. In the same days (2–8 June) Jurabek, the governor of Kitab, and Bobobek, the governor of Shahrisabz, together with Samarkand insurgents besieged the garrison in the city’s citadel, but when relief troops arrived they had to withdraw toward the mountains. Under the treaty of 23 June 1868 Samarkand and Kattakurgan passed to Russia and the Zarafshan District was formed, the emir paid 500 thousand rubles in indemnity, Russian merchants gained the right to trade freely (duty was not to exceed 2.5 percent of the value) and the emir had to follow the instructions of the governor-general of Turkestan. Bukhara thus became a protectorate: it kept its internal government but lost independence in foreign policy. A new treaty in 1873 gave Russia further trade privileges and deepened the emirate’s dependence. In 1885–1886 a Russian imperial political agency was opened in Bukhara; later its residence was in Kogon (New Bukhara), built beside the railway.
Worked examples
Grouping the terms of the treaty: territorial (Samarkand, Kattakurgan lost), financial (500 thousand rubles), trade (free trade, duty ≤ 2.5 percent), political (following the governor-general’s instructions).
Although the emir ran internal affairs, according to the textbook the qushbegi received instructions from the Russian representative each day and passed them on: this shows how the protectorate worked in practice.
Class activity
“Negotiation”: two groups – Kaufman’s side and the emir’s envoys – discuss treaty clauses; then compare with the historical treaty.
Practice
1
On what date was the treaty with Bukhara signed?
On 23 June 1868.
2
Which territories did the emirate lose under the treaty and how much indemnity did it pay?
Samarkand and Kattakurgan (the Zarafshan District) and other lands; 500 thousand rubles.
3
Explain “protectorate” in your own words using Bukhara as an example.
A state runs its internal affairs but depends on another state in foreign policy and key decisions; the emir kept his court but followed the governor-general’s instructions.
4
Why might the government have preferred to rule through the emir rather than annex Bukhara fully? Give your thought.
There would be less resistance and lower administrative cost, and the local system and officials could be used. (A suggestion based on the textbook’s reasoning.)