The history of the court archive of the Bukhara Khanate (later Emirate) in Central Asia
Abstract
This research analyzes the formation and operation of the palace archive systems within the Bukhara Khanate (later the Emirate) within the broader context of Central Asian state administration traditions. The study applies a comprehensive approach to examine administrative structures, focusing specifically on the role of the divans (chanceries) in organizing the archival system. The findings demonstrate that the divans functioned not only as executive bodies but also as central nodes coordinating the processes of document collection, systematization, and preservation. Within the palace infrastructure, the institutions of the library (kutubkhona) and the treasury (khazinakhona) performed secondary yet vital archival functions, serving as centralized repositories for documents of political, economic, and diplomatic significance. Document turnover was managed through a system of registers (daftars), which simultaneously served as data-recording tools and a scientific-reference apparatus. Notably, the alphabetical arrangement of geographical names within these registers facilitated rapid information retrieval and ensured greater administrative efficiency. Source analysis indicates that these registers were more than mere accounting tools; they functioned as essential institutional mechanisms for ensuring the stability of state power, maintaining systematic control over the administrative apparatus, and providing a documentary basis for decision-making processes. Furthermore, the systematic archiving of separate registers for each type of revenue and expenditure, coupled with the rigorous oversight of responsible officials, reflects a high degree of financial discipline and accountability. Despite the Bukhara Emirate becoming a protectorate of the Russian Empire after 1868, local traditions of record-keeping and archiving successfully persisted. The research concludes that the archival system in Bukhara's state administration functioned not merely as a passive means of information storage, but as a critical, active institution for economic and administrative control. While the Bukhara Khanate (and subsequent Emirate) shared distinct similarities with other Muslim states regarding governance, record-keeping, and archival systems, the transition of power between ruling dynasties introduced specific modifications, even as the traditional preservation of permanent archival records remained a constant, defining feature of the state.
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