BUCHARIA (GREAT), or BOKIIARIA, a country of Asia, and part of Independent Tartary, is bounded on the north by the river Sirr and the mountains of Arg jun ; on the west by Kharism, Chorasan, and the desert of Margiana ; on the south by the Gaur and Hindoo Koh mountains, which separate it from Persia and Ilin dostan ; and by the chain of Belur Tag, which separates it from little Bucharia, on the east. It lies between 35° and 43' of N Lat. and 59° and 73° of E. Long. and is supposed to comprehend the Sogdiana and Bactria of the ncients, with their dependencies. The northern part of it, also, corresponds with the Mawerainalw of the Arabians, which signifies the country beyond the river, and is the same with the ancient Transoxana. Bucharia contains the kingdoms of Samarcand, Balk, and Bucharia properly so called ; each having a town of the same name, except Bucharia, whose capital is Buchara, from which the country takes its name. There are, however, other divisions, many of which, though included in these kingdoms, are subject to separate go vernments. Towards the north, are the provinces of Fergana, Osrushna, and Sogd ; towards the east, Vash, Kotlan, and Kilan ; and on the south, Gaur, and Toka restan. Of these, Fergana is subject to the Kirguses, and Gaur to the king of Candahar. This country pre sents an agreeable variety of hill and dale. The moun tains are lofty and extensive, and the plains are plenti fully watered by the Amu and the Sirr, with their tribu tary streams.
The Amu, or Jihon, the ancient Oxus, has its source in the Belur mountains, and directs its course towards the south-west, passes by Badakshan and Termed, after receiving numerous streams from the mountains of Ak Tau on the north, and Hindoo Koh on the south. When it leaves the latter city, it turns towards the north-west, and being joined by the Dehash, Sogd, Morgab, and Kizil Dania, it falls into the sea of Aral, after a course of nearly 900 miles.
The Sirr, or Sash, sometimes called the Sihon, rises in the mountains of Terek Daban, or northern part of the Belur chain, and taking nearly the same direction as the Amu, washes the cities of Andegan, Cojend, Ta'.hkund, and Tuncat; and then traversing the desert of Burzuk, it falls into the eastern side of the Aral. During its course, which is about 350 miles, it receives many tributary rivers ; and it is supposed by some that it is joined by the great river Sarasu from the north; but so imperfect is the geography of this country, that the direct course of that river is yet unknown. Great Bucharia is the best cultivated and most populous re gion of Independent Tartary. It is inhabited by three distinct nations; the Buchars, who were its original inhabitants ; the Moguls, who established themselves here under Zagatai, the second son of Zengis Khan ; and the Usbeck Tartars, who are now its actual mas ters.
The Buchars are a quiet and inoffensive race, com posing the principal population of the towns and cities, and employing themselves entirely in trade and com merce. They never interfere with war, but content themselves with conscientiously paying the taxes for its support; on which account they are despised by the Tartars, and treated as a debased and pusillanimous people. They are, however, far superior to the Tar tars in manners and appearance. They are, in general, tall, elegant, and well made, with black hair, and an open lively countenance. The women are also well shaped, with fine complexions and beautiful features. Their garments correspond with their peaceful dispo sitions ; a long calico robe, reaching to the calf of their leg, over which they wear a vest of quilted silk, and tied round the middle with a silk crape girdle or sash ; trowsers, with light boots like Persian buskins, and a turban, or round cloth bonnet, bordered with fur, con stitute their dress in summer. In winter, they are cov ered with a long cloth gown, lined awl, trimmed with fur. The ropes of the women are fullMd loose ; their bonnets small and coloured ; and their hair hangs in long tresses, and is decorated with ribbons and jewels. The Usbeck and Mogul Tartars, on the other hand, are clothed for war. Their dress is short, and adapted for exercise. They arc the most robust and warlike of all the Tartars, and arc continually engaged in hostilities with the Persians. The dart, the arrow, and the spear, were formerly most formidable weapons in their hands, but they are now accustomed to the use of fire arms. They, however, still wear coats of mail, and sometimes a shield, to defend themselves from the sabre. Their wives are equally brave and hardy. They often follow their husbands to the field of battle, and undauntedly mix in the slaughter. Their food consists of boiled rice and horse-flesh, and their usual beverage is kumiss and arak, which are both extracted from mares milk. The summer is spent in predatory excursions, or in wander ing over the country, pitching their tents wherever the herbage is most luxuriant; and in winter, they retire to the towns and cities. Such of them as are employed in agriculture, live in villages and hamlets. The Tar tars are governed by khans, whose power is despotic. The chief of these are the khan of Balk on the south, and the khans of Samarcand and Buchara on the north. The authority of the latter, however, was, according to Hallway, confined, in 1741, to the city, and a small terri tory around it. The Buchars have no government of their own, but are subject to the khan in whose domi nions they reside, and to whom they pay an annual tri bute for his protection.