Oybek IJAS Conference

1. Ashtarkhanids Dynasty in the statehood history of Central Asia
Dilorom Sangirova, Oybek Rustamov, Gulistan State University, Uzbekistan
Abstract
This paper investigates Ashtarkhanids Dynasty in the statehood history of Central Asia as well as the khanate of
Bukhara which had a significant role in the statehood history of Central Asia during the rule of the Ashtarkhanids
dynasty played an important role in political processes of the region. Basic role of article is referred to study, at
meantime to analyze mutual attitude between rulers and local aristocrats. The attitude of the local aristocratic
people of Bukhara to Ashtarkhanids dynasty as “strangers” (“kelgindi”lar) always made Ashtarkhanids dynasty be
only in agreement and mutual relation with them.
Introduction
The khanate of Bukhara which had a significant role in the statehood history of Central Asia
during the rule of the Ashtarkhanids dynasty played an important role in political processes of
the region. The abler men of the dynasty who governed more than hundred years were main
figureheads of the great changes in social-economy and spiritual-cultural life of the country.
There are different information theories about the designation of the dynasty.
“Ashtarkhanids” that’s specifically referred to as the origin from the khanate of Hajji Tarhan,
and “Janid” because of the true founder of the dynasty Jonibek (B. Ahmedov. Historic-
geographic literature of Central Asia of the 16 th – 18th centuries. Tashkent, FAN 1985), as well as
“Tuqay Temurid” (А.К.Alekseev. Central Asia in Ashtarkhanids period in the XVII—XVIII
centuries (dissert.) 2004) because of the links with the generation of Chinghiz Khan’s Tuqay
Temurid. We called this dynasty as Ashtarkhanids as given in other sources.
Main assignments of the new dynasty’s rulers after Shaybanids were to strengthen feeble
states in political sphere. It should be taken into account that observation on political, social-
economical processes was profoundly during Ashtarkhanids, and important parts of the policy
were carried out by main figureheads of the dynasty.
Political, social and economical policy carried out by the rulers of the
Ashtarkhanids in Bukhara khanate
At meantime, we don’t take into consideration the elder representative of Ashtarkhanids
Yar Muhammad and his relatives because they hadn’t exerted influence on policy of Bukhara.
According to the given information in “Bahr-al asrar” (the 17th century), the dynasty’s influence
in the khanate was heightened due to his Yar Muhammad’s (he had 6 sons and 2 daughters)
(А.К.Alekseev. Central Asia in Ashtarkhanids period in the XVII—XVIII centuries (dissert.)
2004) son Jani Muhammad married the daughter of Iskandar Khan of Bukhara aristocrats who
had a significant role here. Moreover, coins inscribed with the name of Jonibek Khan inform us
the strengthening of Ashtarkhanids dynasty as well as a khanate power. Besides, according to the
information of Audrey Burton, the first and true founder of the dynasty was Jonibek. (Audrey
Burton. Who were the first Ashtarkhanid rules of Bukhara? Bulletin of the school of Oriental and
African Studies.University of London Vol. LI. Part3 1988)

2. The territory of Bukhara khanate in the16th-17th centuries
The second son of the family Din Muhammad who was going to be on the throne after
Jani Muhammad was killed in the war against Iranians, and after a short reign, his brother Baqi
Muhammad ascended the throne of Samarqand.
Baqi Muhammad (1601-1605) reduced internal political fights and strengthened his
border patrol system against nomadic tribes in the northern borders of the khanate. Implementing
close relations with adjoining rulers of Khwarazm, Baqi Muhammad increased power of the
khanate in western and southern parts of the state. After establishment a great khanate in the
territory, his brother was awarded the governorship of Balkh by him, and at this time Balkh
became a second developed center of Bukhara khanate and was ruled by heir Wali Muhammad.
It is important to note that Balkh was controversial territory between Ashtarkhanids and
Iran Safavids, and Baqi Muhammad won a victory over them in 1603. But his goal in the
restoration of the power of Bukhara khanate in Khurasan wasn’t reached because of the
campaign of the Qazaq Khan Keldi Muhammad against Tashkent in 1604. After establishment
close relations with Qazaq Khan (Muhammad Yusuf Munshe. Muqim Khans History.
Translation from Tadjik, preface and indices by Prof. A. A. Semenov. Print House of the
Academy of Sciences of USSR. Tashkent), later Baqi Muhammad died in 1605 and Wali
Muhammad ascended the throne (Azamat Ziyo: History of Uzbek Statehood, “Sharq”
Administrative Printing, Tashkent).
Wali Muhammad (1605-1611). The ascension of Wali Muhammad was lead by various
administrative skills. According to the information given in several sources, he spent most of his
time taking pleasure and thus, it brought disagreement and confusion among citizens. Wali
Muhammad tried to make close policy with Iranian rulers. His attempts in making agreements
were necessary in this period in comparison with the attempts of former rulers in obtaining
southern lands to Bukhara. Taking opportunity from such cases several groups sent a letter to
Imam Quli, cousin of Wali Muhammad and asked to rule Bukhara. At meantime, mistake of Vali
Muhammad was that he established Shahbek Kukaldash as a ruler of Balkh. And his duty was to
give a great attention to Imom Quli and Nadir Muhammad but he didn’t accomplish his duties
and tried to become a ruler himself.
Registon Assembly (Sherdor, Tilla Qori) built in the period of Ashtarkhanids dynasty
Afterwards, Imam Quli Khan campaigned against to Bukhara. After getting to know about
the rides of Imam Quli Khan and his brother Nadir Muhammad in Balkh and Badakhshan, Wali
Muhammad and his two sons went to Abbas I of Iranian ruler through Khurasan. Abbos I (1587-
1628) gave his troop of 80 000 people against Imam Quli Khan in order to get control on the
policy of Central Asia (Azamat Ziyo: History of Uzbek Statehood, “Sharq” Administrative
Printing, Tashkent).
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3. The war between Wali Muhammad and Imam Quli Khan, execution of Wali Muhammad
and proscription of Iranians were given in “Tarikh-i Muqim Khan”. The sons of Wali
Muhammad Rustam Sultan and Muhammad Rahim stayed in Iran after their father’s
unsuccessful ride to Mawara’al-nahr. The ruler of Iran gave them Ubah and Shofilon (adjoining
territories of Khirat).
Imam Quli Khan (1611-1642). After hard-won over this territory, Nadir Muhammad
ascended the throne of Balkh. He made attempts to strengthen border defense and internal
policy. Especially, Imam Quli Khan sent his counselors to Indian ruler Jahangir to reinforce
external affairs. At meantime, Indian counselors in the head of Hakim Haziq visited Bukhara
(Nizomiddinov I. M. Relations of Central Asia with eastern countries. Tashkent: Uzdavnashr
1961).
For almost 40 years, Imam Quli Khan had paid a great attention to make close contacts
with prominent scientists of this period. Among them there were Iranian Mavlana Yusuf
Qarabagiy who was well-known as Ohundi Kalon in Bukhara, a wonderful speaker Mavlana
Turabiy, historian Hafiz Tanish Bukhari who was well-known as “Nahli” (Sagdullaev А.,
Aminov B., Mavlanov U. Uzbekistan History: State and Society Development. Tashkent,
Academy, 2000).
Imam Quli Khan was informed about bazaars and public places through Abdulvose’
Qurchi, his close assistant. Imam Quli Khan also personally visited the living places of traders
who came from different parts of the world in order to observe his state’s position.
It is obvious that the mutual fights were reduced at all and administrative centre of the
dynasty was reinforced. And it resulted to a successful defense against Qazaq, qalmiq, mogul
tribes and broadening its territory to northern-east.
Why did he refuse his throne? After refusing his throne and property, he made a
pilgrimage to Mecca. The ruling of Nadir Muhammad began with internal fights among citizens.
According to information given in the sources, (in the period of Imam Quli Khan) executive
committee involved in state activities and important financial and propertial affairs were not
beneficiary during Nadir Muhammad’s reign. The reasons of that were as follows, from one
hand they were suspicious about prosperity of the policy, on another hand they were worried
about deprivation of their present position and on the third the blind ruler (Imom Quli Khan)
was profitable for them.
Not being supported by the important leaders of the policy of the state Nadir Muhammad
shared the state’s territory to his sons and relatives as a property. Thus, Husraf Sultan took - Gur,
Bahrom Sultan - Kulob, Subkhan Quli Sultan - Solu choharyak, Qutlug Sultan - Qunduz, and his
grandson Qosim Sultan (the son of the Husraf Sulton) - Maymana and Andkhud, and other
territories were given to amirs (Muhammad Yusuf Munshe. Muqim Khans History. Translation
from Tadjik, preface and indices by Prof. A. A. Semenov. Print House of the Academy of
Sciences of USSR. Tashkent-1956). This case shows us the destruction of Bukhara
administration and later his son Abdulaziz Khan ascended the throne.
Abdulaziz Khan (1645-1681). His ruling was prepared by internal groups. Thus, in spite
of ascending the throne in 1645 he didn’t have any strong political impact. Even one of the
strongest dynasties which was situated in Balkh didn’t subordinate to the centralized dynasty of
Nadir Muhammad and it brought into double-ruling khanate during this period. According to the
information given in “Tarikh-i Muqim Khan”, Abdulaziz Khan was under influence of several
groups. Moreover, as historians noted that after establishing as a ruler, he sent a letter to his
father, explained all in details and begged his pardon. (This information is not given in other
sources).
The struggle with the rulers of Khiva made complications and he had to make pilgrimage
to Mecca and his brother Subhon Quli Khan (1680-1702) ascended the throne. And his
brother’s period began with the struggle of his sons for Balkh throne and rides of Khiva troops
influenced on economic situation of the state. After Abdulaziz Khan’s death, his son Ubaydulla
Khan (1702-1711) who was on the throne tried to strengthen certain situation. Strengthening of
the tax payment even from the largest landlords who were released from taxes and other
privileged people reinforced the power against him. As a result, Ubaydulla Khan was killed by
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4. hired assassin. Abulfayz Khan (1711-1747) who was on the throne with the help of the planned
finesse was under influence of amirs, largest traders and landlords. The weakness of the state
brought into colonization of Iran state in 1740. After Abulfayz Khan death, his son Abdulmumin
ascended the throne as an official ruler. Taking this opportunity Muhammad Rahimbiy gave his
daughter to Abdulmumin (he was 8 years old, in several sources 12 years old) and it gave an
opportunity to mangit tribes to get the throne.
The princesses of Ashtarkhanids dynasty ruled in Balkh:
Iskandar Khan – son of Quli Muhammad Khan (1681-1683)
Abu-l-Mansur Khan – son of Subhan Quli Muhammad khan (1683)
Siddiq Muhammad Khan – son of Subhan Quli Muhammad Khan (1683-1687)
Abu-l-Muzaffar Muhammad Muqim Khan – son of Iskandar Khan (1687-1707)
Abdulla Khan – son of grandson of Vali Muhammad Khan (1711-1712)
Sanjar Khan – son of previous (1712-1717)
Muhammad Khan – step brother of previous (1717-1720)
Conclusion
According to the information in several sources, the latest rulers of Ashtarkhanids, Abul-Ghazi
became one of the largest aristocrats during mangits period.
Thus, Ashtarkhanids dynasty ruled almost half of the century in Central Asia. During the
ruling period of the rulers (Baqi Muhammad, Imam Quli Khan) and their ruling policy of the
state resulted to prosperity.
The ruler Wali Muhammad Khan established close relations with Iran rulers and it gave
an end to the internal policy fights and made a substantial support to strengthen the state’s power
and impact.
In its turn, the close relations with adjoining states gave much progress in improving
social-economy and cultural-spiritual life of the khanate of Bukhara.
There were great changes and developments during the ruling periods of Imam Quli Khan,
Subhan Quli Khan, and Abdulaziz Khan.
The polygamy and possessing of many children referring to this period brought the state
into destruction. (It was mostly shown during Nadir Muhammad Khan).
The tax process that was lead during (Subhan Quli Khan) and money affairs during (Ubaydulla
Khan) couldn’t save the state from its destruction. The state’s ruling by amirs and aristocratic
people brought into weakness of the state during Abulfayz Khan’s period.
The attitude of the local aristocratic people of Bukhara to Ashtarkhanids dynasty as
“strangers” (“kelgindi”lar) always made Ashtarkhanids dynasty be only in agreement and mutual
relation with them. This case was kept in the latest rulers too, and Ubaydulla Khan who didn’t
agree with this was killed. The dynasties that were not in the agreement with the local
aristocratic people of Bukhara had their destruction.
Nevertheless during the time of the Ashtarkhanids dynasty there were a huge number of
positive events in political, social, economical and cultural life of Bukhara khanate. This period
has a special place in the statehood history of Central Asia
References
Nizomiddinov I. M. Relations of Central Asia with eastern countries. Tashkent: Uzdavnashr
1961
Sagdullaev А., Aminov B., Mavlanov U. Uzbekistan History: State and Society Development.
Tashkent, Academy, 2000.
Muhammad Yusuf Munshe. Muqim Khans History. Translation from Tadjik, preface and indices
by Prof. A. A. Semenov. Print House of the Academy of Sciences of USSR. Tashkent-1956
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5. Muhammad Yusuf Munshe. Muqim Khans History. Translation from Tadjik, preface and indices
by Prof. A. A. Semenov. Print House of the Academy of Sciences of USSR. Tashkent-1956
Azamat Ziyo: History of Uzbek Statehood, “Sharq” Administrative Printing, Tashkent -2001
А.К.Alekseev. Central Asia in Ashtarkhanids period in the XVII—XVIII centuries (dissert.)
2004
Audrey Burton. Who were the first Ashtarkhanid rules of Bukhara? Bulletin of the school of
Oriental and African Studies.University of London Vol. LI. Part3 1988.
History of Uzbekistan. Part III (during early 16th and 19th centuries). The Academy of Sciences of
the Republic of Uzbekistan, “Fan”, Tashkent. 1993
The Ashtarkhanid Rulers of Bukhara by Iraj Bashiri
http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/bashiri/Ashtarkhanid/Ashtar.html
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