The History of the Central Asian Republics (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations)

Central Asia's long and complicated history is teeming with diverse cultures and traditions. The nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have served as a major cultural crossroad throughout the millennia, with many customs colliding and blending along the way. In this comprehensive volume, students can learn how Central Asia developed in ancient times and how the nations of the steppes evolved through the Middle Ages into modern history. From the Silk Road to Russian colonization to Soviet rule, Central Asia's ever-changing nations continue to play an important role in international society today. This volume is the perfect addition to any high school, public, or undergraduate library. Contents 6 Series Foreword 8 Preface 10 Timeline of Historical Events 14 1 The Stans: New States, Old Societies 22 2 Ancient State Formations 32 3 Early History: Islamization and the Birth of Central Asian Nations (Seventh through Fourteenth Centuries) 48 4 The Medieval States of Central Asia (Fifteenth through Nineteenth Centuries) 68 5 Russian Colonization (1865–1917) 92 6 The Revolutionary Era (1917–1924) 114 7 The Soviet Rule (1925–1991) 138 8 Post-Soviet Transformation 168 9 Political and Legal Thought of Central Asia 192 Notable People in the History of Central Asia 208 Glossary of Selected Terms and Concepts 214 Bibliographic Essay 218 Index 226 Delve into Central Asia's complex history to learn how the nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have evolved through the centuries to become cultural hotspots in recent years Chronicles the origins and histories of the five Central Asian republics of the Soviet Union, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan