BOKA T. HIND. Asphodelus fistulosus. BOKENAKOO. HIND. Zapania nodiflora. BOKHARA, a khanate in Turkestan, of small extent, surrounded by a desert. . It -lies between the parallels of lat. N., and long. E. It is an open champagne country of unequal fertility, and intersected by the Amu or Oxus on the southern border. Its rivers are the Amu or Oxus and Syr or Jaxartes, the Kohik or Zar-afshan and the river of Karshi• and Balkh. It is ruled over by an Ainir. The population was esti mated by Irving (1809) at 3,600,000, by Burnes at 1,000,000, by Fraser at 2,500,000, and by Balbi (1826) at 1,200,000. A considerable por tion of the khanate consists of a clayey, saline soil, and sandy steppes, with a visible slope to the south-west, while it is barricaded to the north east by huge ranges of mountains. The prior occupants are the Tajak, whose time of immi gration into Bokhara is unknown. Previous to the conclusion of the first century of the Hijira, the followers of Mahomed penetrated there, and forced them at the point of the sword to embrace the new creed. At that period Bokhara was governed by the Samanides.. In the .10th century the weak rule of these princes was totally overthrown by the Uzbaks, whose power was not of long dura tion ; for in the 12th century the khanate of Belch ara was deluged by the overwhelming flood of the Moghul hordes of Chengiz Khan, and the Uzbaks were driven by the Moghuls into the desert to the west of the Syr-i-Darya. Bokhara has often changed its rulers and modified its inhabitants. At each successive influx new tribes were added to the bulk of the population. This intermixture NI as more particularly felt whenever the Uzbaks re-entered the khanate. Of the Tajak there is but a remnant left in the city of Bokhara. Owing to their peaceful disposition, not to use the word cowardliness, they abstain from taking any part in warlike achievements. The most salient traits of their character are avarice, falsehood, and faithlessness. They are usually tall ; have a white skin, with black eyes and hair. In their dress they strictly adhere to the rules of the Koran, and there is much greater affectation than is observable among the Uzbak. Their politeness in conversation often becomes disgusting, especially if they require the assistance of the person to whom they address their words. The number of the Arabs is somewhat greater than that of the Tajaks. They are chiefly dispersed over the northern parts of the khanate, having their headquarters in the vicinity of Vardanzi and Samarcand. They have not relinquished the habits of their ancestors, and continue to lead a wandering life, with this differ ence, that the severity of the climate has induced them to exchange their tents for the kibitki.
Such only as are compelled by the nature of their occupation, live in fixed habitations. Their fea tures betray their origin. Their large eyes are black as well as their hair ; and their skin, which is very susceptible of the effects of the sun's rays, often becomes nearly black from exposure. They speak Arabic amongst themselves.
Bokhara has grain, fruit, silk, cotton, dyes, and cattle, all unrivalled of their kind. Their horses are celebrated throughout Asia ; their camels sur pass all the other sorts of this most useful domestic animal in the south and west of Asia ; and their mutton is equal to any in the world. The hilly country east and south of Samarcand is rich in minerals.
The Uzbek are undoubtedly the preponderating race in Bokhara, not so much from their number, as by the ties which bind them together. They are divided into stems and sections, like the Kir ghiz, and have their elders or boys, who enjoy a certain consideration among them. The Uzbek branches, with some of their subdivisions, are enumerated in the work called Nassad-Mameti Uzbakia. Many of their tribes aro in this khanate.
Nfanghit encamp at different places, partly in the neighbourhood of Karshi, and partly near Bokhara, and it is out of one of its branches, called Tuk, that the reigning dynasty proceeds. Uzbak are generally middle-sized men ; the colour of their beards varies between a shade of red and dark auburn, whilst few are found with black hair. Their dress is very plain, consisting chiefly of khal atu, or flowing dresses of alaja. The wandering Uzbak live, like the Kirghiz, in kibitki. The ex ternal felt is usually of a black or dark grey colour, but the interior is more tastefully ornamented than the tents of the latter ; for the Uzbeks bang small carpets of home manufacture along the sides, and, though the work be coarse, and the colours gene rally of a sombre hue, dark red or brick colour in particular, their presence sets off the tent to ad vantage, and gives it an appearance of cleanliness. Their meals are very monotonous, the staple article being constantly mutton. Kumis (fer mented maro's milk) is only drunk by those who keep large herds of horses. Their chief occupation consists in breeding flocks. Children all but naked are seen driving the sheep round the aul, while the chief sits listlessly in his kibitka, leaving all the household affairs to the care and management of the women, who do not differ in dress from the Kirghiz women. In the interior of the aul, half naked children may be seen romping about and fighting with dogs.