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Mazaev N. Foreigners at the Court of the Emir of Bukhara: Reception of European Travellers in the Late 19th — early 20th Centuries

Nikita Mazaev
National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE)
Moscow, Russian Federation
ORCID: 0000-0003-0615-8987
E-mail: mazaev-nikita14@yandex.ru

 

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ABSTRACT. After the conquest of Turkestan by Russian troops freedom of action of the Emir of Bukhara was limited. He was practically independent in domestic politics, but in foreign politics his actions were controlled by the Russian Empire. The status of the protectorate, however, did not forbid the Emir to meet with foreign guests. The meetings with Russian subjects were often a necessity and had their own ceremony in each case, but the practice of receiving European guests demonstrates certain differences and specifics. Reference to the works of foreign travellers will help to understand how they formed the image of the Emir of Bukhara, the territories controlled by him and relations with Russia for the European public. In addition, their documented impressions of the features of the court of the Emir of Bukhara will allow us to imagine what kind of image of the general presence and power of the Russian Empire in Turkestan was created for European audience. On the other hand, the Emir's attitude towards foreign guests, goodwill and signs of attention to them can demonstrate how the Emir himself perceived relations with the Russian Empire and his place, role and significance in them. It is important to pay attention to the ceremonial component of such meetings, which were also of a diplomatic nature. Identifying the common and special in them will allow us to display both the individual attitude to each suite of guests, and to trace certain changes in the attitude of the Emir to their reception.

 

KEYWORDS: Central Asia, Russian Turkestan, foreign travelers, Bukhara, ceremony, diplomacy

 

FOR CITATION: Mazaev N. Foreigners at the Court of the Emir of Bukhara: Reception of European Travellers in the Late 19th — early 20th Centuries. Kunstkamera. 2023. 3(21): 46–57. (In Russian). doi 10.31250/2618-8619-2023-3(21)-46-57

 

DOI 10.31250/2618-8619-2023-3(21)-46-57
УДК 94(47).083+325.3

 

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