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Khanate of Bukhara

history Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Khanate of Bukhara was a strong land in Central Asia. It lasted for a long time, from 1501 to 1785.

Muhammad Shaybani
Muhammad Shaybani

This place was important because it sat in a region with many big cities. These cities included Balkh, Samarkand, and Tashkent. At first, the leaders did not stay in just one place. They moved between different cities to rule. By the year 1562, the city of Bukhara became the permanent capital.

La nécropole de Tchor Bakhr (Boukhara, Ouzbékistan) (5719346105)
La nécropole de Tchor Bakhr (Boukhara, Ouzbékistan) (5719346105)

This change helped the government stay in one steady spot.

Building this kingdom took many steps and many battles. It started with a leader named Muhammad Shaybani. He was the grandson of a famous steppe ruler named Abu'l Khayr Khan. Muhammad Shaybani was well-educated and very smart about military plans. Between 1500 and 1503, he conquered many major cities. He even won a big battle called the Battle of Sar-i Pul in 1501.

Army in the steppe, Tarikh-i Abu l-khayr Khan by Kuhistani, ca. 1540 AD, Tachkent, Biruni Institute, ms. n°9989 f. 138b
Army in the steppe, Tarikh-i Abu l-khayr Khan by Kuhistani, ca. 1540 AD, Tachkent, Biruni Institute, ms. n°9989 f. 138b

This victory helped him establish his rule over the region.

After the first group of rulers, a new family took over. The Janid dynasty ruled the Khanate from 1599 to 1747.

Vali Muhammad Khan, Chehel Sotoun Palace, painted circa 1647
Vali Muhammad Khan, Chehel Sotoun Palace, painted circa 1647

This group was also known as the Ashtarkhanids. They were the last rulers who claimed to be part of the Chinggisid line. This meant they said they were related to Genghis Khan. During their time, many people focused on art and writing. Famous poets like Mashrab wrote beautiful poems that people still enjoy today.

Imamquli-khan
Imamquli-khan

Historians also wrote many important books during this era.

Change came again when the Manghit family grew powerful. They started as high officials called ataliqs. One important leader, Khudayar-biy Manghit, held a high post in 1712.

The Sher Dor (9330856335)-cropped
The Sher Dor (9330856335)-cropped

In 1740, a ruler from Iran named Nader Shah conquered the land. After Nader Shah died in 1747, the Manghits took even more control. They were very good at organizing the government and the military. They even expanded the land to include places like Hissar and Tashkent. By 1785, the family made their rule official.

This new era changed the name of the land. It became known as the Emirate of Bukhara.

Registan Tillya-Kari madrasah2014
Registan Tillya-Kari madrasah2014

The Manghit leaders used a new title for themselves. They called themselves emirs instead of khans. They did this because they were not direct descendants of Genghis Khan. This shows how much the history of the land changed over time. It moved from one family to another and from one title to another. The story of Bukhara is a story of many different people making big choices.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Muhammad Shaybani.jpg
Muhammad Shaybani.jpg
File:Unidentified Bukharan amir. 16th century Bukhara School artist.jpg
Unidentified Bukharan amir. 16th century...
File:Army in the steppe, Tarikh-i Abu l-khayr Khan by Kuhistani, ca. 1540 AD, Tachkent, Biruni Institute, ms. n°9989 f. 138b.jpg
Army in the steppe, Tarikh-i Abu l-khayr...
File:Imamquli-khan.jpg
Imamquli-khan.jpg
File:The Sher Dor (9330856335)-cropped.jpg
The Sher Dor (9330856335)-cropped.jpg
File:Registan Tillya-Kari madrasah2014.JPG
Registan Tillya-Kari madrasah2014.JPG
File:La nécropole de Tchor Bakhr (Boukhara, Ouzbékistan) (5719346105).jpg
La nécropole de Tchor Bakhr (Boukhara,...
File:Frontispiece. Hatifi, Tīmūrnāma, dated 1568. Bukhara kitābkhāna. Tashkent, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abu Rayhan Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies, Ms. 2102, fols.105r–106v.jpg
Frontispiece. Hatifi, Tīmūrnāma, dated...
File:Barak Khān (Nawrūz Ahmad), who reigned from 1551 to 1556. Louvre MAO 150 (former Vignier Collection).jpg
Barak Khān (Nawrūz Ahmad), who reigned...
File:Vali Muhammad Khan, Chehel Sotoun Palace, painted circa 1647.jpg
Vali Muhammad Khan, Chehel Sotoun Palace,...
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