KHIDA (anc. Chorasmia), KnAunEzIt, KI1ARASM, or KIWI:INGE, a khanate of Turk istan in central Asia, lies between lat. 37° 45! and 44° 30' n. and long. 50° 15' and 63° e.,. and contains about 25,000 sq.m., the surface being mostly a sandy desert, with many fertile tracts scattered over it. It is bounded on the n. by the Russian territory and sea of Aral, e. by the khanate o,f Bolthara, s. by Persia, and w. by the Caspian sea. The chief oasis, in which the capital, Kliiva, is situated, stretches from the mouth of the Oxus or Amu-Daria for 200 m. along its banks, and is watered by artificial canals supplied from that river, to which it entirely owes its fertility. Its extent is variously estimated at from 2,000 to 4,000 sq. miles. According to a recent estimate (see Times, April 28, 1873), the population consists of 260,000 settled and 240,000 nomad inhabi tants. There are from 10,000 to 40,000 Persian freedmen or slaves who have. been cap tured in Khorassan by the Turcomans.
Khiva, in ancient times, was nominally subject to the Seleueidm; subsequently it formed a part of the kingdoms of Bactria, Parthia, Persia, and the caliphate, and became an independent monarchy in 1092 under a Seljuk dynasty. The Khivans, or, as they were then called, the Khaurezmians, after conquering the whole of Persia and Afghan-. istan were obliged to succumb to the Moguls, under Genghis Khan, in 1221. In 1370 it came into the hands of Timfir. descendants were subdued in 1511 by SNIT Beg (called Sheibani Kliau by western writers), chief of the Uzbeks, a Turkish tribe, and his successors have ruled over Kltiva to our times. Ever. since the.Russians entered.
scgntral Asia, they have complained that the Khivans fostered rebellion among their Kirghis subjects, and plundered their caravans. In 1717 Peter the great endeavored to conquer Khiva, but was defeated, and in 1839 the attempt was renewed by the czar Nicholas, but with no better success. War may be said to have recommenced when .new Russian forts, in 1869 and 1871, were founded on the shores of the Caspian. It was not, however, till 1873 that a great effort was made finally to crush Khiva. To dimin ish the difficulties of crossing the deserts, the Russian force was divided into five col umns, each about 3,000 strong, to approach Khiva by different routes. After enduring
with adthirable fortitude great privations and fatigue, the Russians entered Khiva on -June 10. The khan agreed to pay a war indemnity, and to cede to Bokhara the Khivan possessions on the right bank of the Amu-Daria (Oxus). Shortly afterwards, however, these possessions were incorporated with Russian territory, and now Kizil-Kum and the •annexed part of Khiva form the Russian government of Aniu-Daria, with an area of 39,820 sq.m., and an ,estimated pop. of 109,600.—KnivA. the capital of the khanate, is situated in the great oasis. It consists almost entirely of earth huts, not excepting the residence of the khan, the only brick buildings being three mosques, a school, and a
KllmsTIE, or DANIELITES, a Russian fanatical sect which originated in the first year of the emperor Alexis. A.D. 1645. They call themselves "people of God," "tribe -of Israel," "worshipers of the true God," "brothers and sisters." According to their traditions, God the lather manifested himself in the person of Daniel Philippon or Phil ippitch. This they -hold was his second manifestation in the flesh, and that as Jerusa lem and Zion were by the previous manifestation enlightened, so now Russia and Kos troma, the birthplace of Daniel, are by this reappearance blessed with the divine favor. The historical facts are that Daniel Philippon, a peasant of the province of Kostroina, Tan away from the Russian army, declared himself the Almighty, and wandering about, the people twelve commandments inculcating certain moral duties. They observe some of the practices of the regular church to avoid persecution. They have pictures of their god Daniel Philippon; their Jesus Christ, Ivan Timofegen; their mother of God, -saints, prophets, and teachers, whom they adore. They call the church edificeS of the orthodox ant-nests, and their priests idolaters and adulterers. Notwithstanding their -absurdities, their sect is numerous, and has among its members many of the nobles of the land. After service they partake of an ordinary meal, which is prolonged till late in the evening, and often attended with licentious acts. The sect is known in different regions by different names.