The Bukharans A Dynastic, Diplomatic and Commercial History 1550-1702
- Author: Audrey Burton
- Language: ingliz tilida
- Writing: ingliz yozuvida
- Publisher: New York
- Year: 1997
- Views: 321
This study was originally inspired by a visit to Central Asia in 1975 when the
writer was deeply impressed, not only by the many historic remains, but also by the
thought that envoys from countries as far apart as Spain and China visited Bukhara
and Samarqaed in the days of Tamerlane and Ulugh Beg.
Subsequent reading revealed the importance of the khanate of Bukhara in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a period largely neglected by western historians.
The rulers of the khanate were often regarded with apprehension by their immediate
neighbours, but the European powers did not feel threatened by them, as in the days
of Tamerlane, nor did they feel the need to extend their influence in the area as they
would do in the late nineteenth century, during the period of intensive Russo-British
rivalry known as the 'Great Game'. However, because of its situation on the Silk
Route and on the trade routes between India and Russia, the khanate played an
important part in international trade, supplying horses to China and India, rhubarb
and lapis lazuli to Iran, cottons to Siberia, valuable lambskins and medicinal herbs to
Muscovy.