The Turkmens in the age of imperialism : a study of the Turkman people and their incorporation into the Russian empire

• Main Author: Saray, M.
• Published: Swansea University 1978
• Subjects: 940
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.638768

This is primarily a detailed study of Turkmen history in the nineteenth century or in the age of imperialism, but it also deals with the Anglo-Russian rivalry in Central Asia, which effected greatly the fate of the Turkmens. The work begins with the study of Turkmenia, its country and people; and then the early history of the Turkmen people up to 1800, in order to understand their position in the nineteenth century. The economic, social and political structure of the Turkmen society, in particular their traditional unwritten law, Tore, are examined in detail in order to understand how the Turkmens were able to survive as a small nation. Then, the struggle of the Turkmens for independence against the Khivan and Persian yoke from the beginning of the nineteenth century up to 1860, the formation of a union among themselves, and their relations with the neighbouring nations are also studied in detail. However, the independence of the Turkmens was threatened by the rivalry between Britain and Russia in Central Asia. Because of this rivalry, the Russians, who had already conquered the Khanates of Central Asia, began to prepare for the conquest of Turkmenia in order to place themselves in an advantageous position in Central Asia against British India in case of a conflict with Britain. The rest of the work is a detailed study of the Turkmens and their remarkable resistance against the Russian invasion from 1869 to 1885.