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.

IntroductionThe 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 16th – 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)

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).

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

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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 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

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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)

ConclusionAccording 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

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

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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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