Emirate of Bukhara: Map & History
The Emirate of Bukhara was an Uzbek absolute monarchy in Central Asia that existed from 1785 to 1920 in what is now parts of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
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The Emirate of Bukhara was an Uzbek absolute monarchy in Central Asia that existed from 1785 to 1920 in what is now parts of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. It occupied the land between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, known formerly as Transoxiana. Its core territory was the fertile land along the lower Zarafshon river, and its urban centres were the ancient cities of Samarqand and the emirate's capital, Bukhara. It was contemporaneous with the Khanate of Khiva to the west, in Khwarazm, and the Khanate of Kokand to the east, in Fergana. In 1920, it ceased to exist with the establishment of the Bukharan People's Soviet Republic. The Turco-Mongol tribe of Uzbeks known as "Manghits" were the rulers.
Modern Countries Once Part of Emirate of Bukhara
At its mapped extent, Emirate of Bukhara covered territory in 3 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Tajikistan1788–1919 CE · most
- Uzbekistan1788–1919 CE · a large part
- Turkmenistan1791–1821 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Emirate of Bukhara's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Emirate of Bukhara in Depth
History
The Emirate of Bukhara was officially created in 1785, upon the assumption of rulership by the Manghit emir, Shah Murad. Shahmurad, formalized the family's dynastic rule (Manghit dynasty), and the khanate became the Emirate of Bukhara.
As one of the few states in Central Asia after the Mongol Empire not ruled by descendants of Genghis Khan (besides the Timurids), it staked its legitimacy on Islamic principles rather than Genghisid blood, as the ruler took the Islamic title of Emir instead of Khan. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Khwarazm (Khiva Khanate) was ruled by the Uzbek dynasty of Kungrats.
Government
During the reign of Amir Nasrullah, when the territory of the emirate was most expanded, Bukhara consisted of 30 regions (begliks). These were Karshi, Guzar, Chirakchi, Kitab, Shahrisabz, Yakkabog, Baysun, Denov, Sherabad, Hisar, Korategin, Darvoz, Baljuvan, Shugnon, Rushan, Kulob, Kurgantepa, Qobadiyon, Kalif, Karki, Burdalik, Kalakli, Narazm, Charjoi, Karmana, Ziyovuddin, Nurota, Khatirchi, Urgut and Samarkand regions. In addition to them, Jizzakh, Oratepa, Tashkent, Turkestan and other neighboring regions were also temporarily included in the emirate during this period.
The highest military power and command of the army belonged to the Emir.
Economy
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the majority of the Emirate's exports consisted primarily of cotton, wool, silk and related products, wool and oils. Bukhara was also considered the center of the Central Asian Astrakhan trade, obtained from the skin of karakul sheep. These skins were brought from around the breeding regions in neighbouring Karakul, Chorjou, Karki, Karshi, Khorezm and Afghanistan.
Trade for the most part largely interacted with western nations, predominantly: the Russian Empire, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany (and its predecessor states) and in later years, the United States of America.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Emirate of Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Emirate of Bukhara: Key Facts
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
|---|---|
| Form of government | absolute monarchy |
| Currencies | Bukharan tenga, ruble, Bukharan tenga |
| Founded | 1785 |
| Dissolved | 7 October 1920 |
Preceded by
Succeeded by
- Bukharan People's Soviet Republic
Facts from Wikidata Q746558 (CC0).
Interactive map
Emirate of Bukhara on the World War I map →
See Emirate of Bukhara on the day-by-day map of World War I.
Emirate of Bukhara Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Emirate of Bukhara appears, with the other states of the time.
Emirate of Bukhara Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 368,774 km² in 1804 CE.
Emirate of Bukhara: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Emirate of Bukhara exist?
Emirate of Bukhara is dated to 1788 CE – 1919 CE, in the Industrial era.
What was the capital of Emirate of Bukhara?
The capital of Emirate of Bukhara was Bukhara.
How large was Emirate of Bukhara at its peak?
At its peak in 1804 Emirate of Bukhara covered about 368,774 km².
How did the map of Emirate of Bukhara change over time?
Emirate of Bukhara appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1800 CE to 1850 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
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Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Delhi
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