Trade Relations of the Russian Empire with the Central Asian Khanates in the 19th Century
Keywords:
Russian Empire, Central Asian Khanates, KhivaAbstract
This study examines the trade relations between the Russian Empire and Central Asian khanates—Khiva, Bukhara, and Kokand—in the 19th century. It argues that imperial commerce evolved through selective integration, strategic leverage, and adaptable commercial networks. Russian authorities secured corridor access, tariff advantages, and legal standing for merchants, while khanates preserved autonomous tariff regimes and credit practices. By analyzing archival records, treaties, and market accounts, the research reveals a negotiated order in which coercion and inducement coexisted with local governance. The resulting multi-layered economy laid the groundwork for deeper integration into the Russian imperial and later broader regional economy.
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