Bokhara

(bok-hah'rah,) or UZBEKISTAN, (" Land of the Uzbeks,") a state of Independent Turkestan, Central Asia, between Lat. 36° and 41° N., and Lon. 63° and 70° E.; area, 235,000 sq. m. Surface level; fertile where watered by the Amoo (Oxus), Kohik, and Kurshee, its principal rivers, but elsewhere a sandy waste. The khan, 1 though nominally despotic, is greatly under the influence of the priesthood, and Mohammedanism is perhaps more strict than in any other country of Asia.- BoKHARA, the C. of the above khan nat, and one of the richest cities of Central Asia, is situate 130 m. W.S.W. of Sam arc and; Lat. 39° 48′ N., Lon. 64° 26' E. It is said to have 300 mosques, and at least as many colleges and schools, having been long famous as a seat of Mohammedan learning. It carries on an active commerce Fig. 92.-GIRL OF BOKHARA. with China, India, Persia, and Central Asia. It was founded about the time of Alexander the Great, and was ruined by Genghis Khan in 1219. Pop. 160,000. [s. 102]