BUKHARA, or BOKRARA, an extensive coun try in central Asia, situated to the north of the Oxus, whichseparates it from Khoarism and the kingdom of Caulnd. Its principal cities are But ham and Samarcand. This ancient seat of the coo querors of Asia is now almost entirely unknown to Europeans. A few particulars, however, respecting its present state, were collected by Mr Elphinstone, during his residence in Caubul.
About the beginning of the sixteenth century, the descendants of Timur were driven from this territory by the Uzbeks, who, crossing the Jaxartes, swept all before them, till they were stout by the central barrier of mountains. They thus established than selves, and have ever since remained the ruling peo ple in Bukhara, Bulkh, Fergannah, and Khoarinn. Uzbeks belong to the great race of Turk or Toork, which, with the Moguls and Mandshoon, comprises all the people known in Europe under the general a 'on of Tartar. The beauty of this race iscelebrated by the Persian poets ; though, for this admiration, it seems chiefly indebted to the con trast with the hideous deformity of the Mogul aspect. The Uzbeks are generally short and stout. Broad foreheads, high cheek-bones, thin beards, and small eyes, form the national features. Their complexion is clear and ruddy, And their hair generally black. Part of the nation live in houses and part in tents. Of the latter description, Bukhara contains a large proportion, as a great part of the soil is fit only for pasturage. This people have not the remotest ides of travelling on foot ; every man keeps a horse or a camel; even the beggar must have an am to ride upon. Horseflesh is the favourite food ; but can be obtained only in small quantities unless by the rich. Their drink consists chiefly of tea, and koumiss or kimmiss, an intoxicating liquor drawn from mares' milk.
The Uzbeks, having embraced Mahometuisra at a time when they probably had few other positive in stitutions, have adopted its precepts in their fidlest extent. All the details of civil government, and the minutest observances of common life, are regulated by the precepts of the Koran. The King of Buk hara assumes the title of Commander of the Faithful; he spends a great part of the day in teaching the Mabommedan religion, and of the night in prayers and vigils. He reads prayers in his own mosque ;
and will sometimes perform the funeral service, even for people of low rank: In Bukhara, and in all the Uzbek countries, the form of government is almost entirely despotic. The country is formed into divisions and subdivisions, which are governed by officers appointed solely by the sovereign. The villages alone have some share in their own administration ; but this cannot form any material check On theauthority. The Uzbeks are brave ; they with shouts, drawn up in three lines which advance succes'. sively to the attack ; so that, till the third has given cannot be considered as finally de feated. ' make admirable light cavalry from the rapidity of their movements, and from being patient of thirst, hunger, and fatigue, in an extraordinary de . Their laws of war are entirely barbarous; infidel sold as slaves; and this treatment being unlawful in regard to Mahommedan enemies, these suffer a more cruel fate, and are butchered with out mercy. Yet, in the intercourse of private life, they display many laudable qualities. They are honest and sincere; quarrels are rare, and a murder scarcely ever heard of. Their hospitality is such, that Mr Elphinstone considers Bukhara as the coun try of Asia through which a traveller may pass with the greatest security.
The capital city, called also Bukhara, appears to be very considerable. Its population is said to be equal to that of Peshawer, and, consequently, ex ceeds a.hundred thousand souls. This city contains numerous colleges, supported either by the king, or by private foundations. The sciences exclusively taught, indeed, are those of Mahommedan Theology and Jurisprudence; and, even in these, the fame of this city is inferior to that of Peshawer. Besides these institutions for education, Bukhara contains caravanseries, on a great scale, for the accommoda tion of trade ; and, notwithstanding the rigid attach ment of the people to the Mahommedan faith, stran gers of every religion experience the most liberal toleration. (B.)