or BOKHARA, an extensive country in central Asia, situated to the north of the Oxus, which separates it from Khoarism and the kingdom of Caubul. Its principal cities are Bukhara and Samarcand. This ancient seat of the conquerors of Asia is now almost entirely unknown to Europeans. A few particulars, however, respecting its present state, were collected by Mr Elphinstone, during his residence in Caubul.
About the beginning of the sixteenth century, the descendants of Timur were driven from this territory by the Uzbeks, who, crossing the Jaxartes, swept all before them, till they were stopped by the central barrier of mountains. They thus established themselves, and have ever since remained the ruling people in Bukhara, Bulkh, Pergannah, and Khoarism. The Uzbeks belong to the great race of Turk or Toork, which, with the Moguls and Mandshoors, comprises all the people known in Europe under the general appellation of Tartar. The beauty of this race is celebrated by the Persian poets; though, for this admiration, it seems chiefly indebted to the contrast with the hideous deformity of the Mogul aspect. The Uzbeks are generally short and stout. Broad foreheads, high cheek-bones, thin beards, and small eyes, form the national features. Their complexion is clear and ruddy, and their hair generally black. Part of the nation live in houses and part in tents. Of the latter description, Bukhara contains a large proportion, as a great part of the soil is fit only for pasturage. This people have not the remotest idea of travelling on foot; every man keeps a horse or a camel; even the beggar must have an ass to ride upon. Horse-flesh is the favourite food; but can be obtained only in small quantities unless by the rich. Their drink consists chiefly of tea, and koumiss or kimmiss, an intoxicating liquor drawn from mares' milk.
The Uzbeks, having embraced Mahometanism at a time when they probably had few other positive institutions, have adopted its precepts in their fullest extent. All the details of civil government, and the minutest observances of common life, are regulated by the precepts of the Koran. The King of Bukhara assumes the title of Commander of the Faithful; he spends a great part of the day in teaching the Mahommedan religion, and of the night in prayers and vigils. He reads prayers in his own mosque; and will sometimes perform the funeral service, even for people of low rank.
In Bukhara, and in all the Uzbek countries, the form of government is almost entirely despotic. The country is formed into divisions and subdivisions, which are governed by officers appointed solely by the sovereign. The villages alone have some share in their own administration; but, this cannot form any material check on the royal authority. The Uzbeks are brave; they charge with shouts, drawn up in three lines which advance successively to the attack; so that, till the third has given way, they cannot be considered as finally defeated. They make admirable light cavalry from the rapidity of their movements, and from being patient of thirst, hunger, and fatigue, in an extraordinary degree. Their laws of war are entirely barbarous; infidel captives are sold as slaves; and this treatment being unlawful in regard to Mahommedan enemies, these suffer a more cruel fate, and are butchered without mercy. Yet, in the intercourse of private life, they display many laudable qualities. They are honest and sincere; quarrels are rare, and a murder scarcely ever heard of. Their hospitality is such, that Mr Elphinstone considers Bukhara as the country of Asia through which a traveller may pass with the greatest security.
The capital city, called also Bukhara, appears to be very considerable. Its population is said to be equal to that of Peshawer, and, consequently, exceeds a hundred thousand souls. This city contains numerous colleges, supported either by the king, or by private foundations. The sciences exclusively taught, indeed, are those of Mahommedan Theology and Jurisprudence; and, even in these, the fame of this city is inferior to that of Peshawer. Besides these institutions for education, Bukhara contains caravanseries, on a great scale, for the accommodation of trade; and, notwithstanding the rigid attachment of the people to the Mahommedan faith, strangers of every religion experience the most liberal toleration.
(B.)