Trends in Intellectual Life in Central Asia in the 19th Century (Based on the Works of Nadira, Dilshod Barno and Ahmad Donish)

Abstract

This article will analyse trends in the development of intellectual life in Central Asia in the 19th century, based on the legacy of three writers. It will provide an overview of the state of the Central Asian khanates in the 19th century, as well as certain historico-political factors, which led to the emergence of the so-called Central Asian intellectual renaissance. Elements of social criticism are already present in Nadira’s (1792–1842) and Dilshod Barno’s (1800–1905) works. Furthermore, in the case of the latter, she produced not only poetry, but also prose, including her famous “Ta’rikhi muhojiron”, where she discussed the period of feudal wars between the Central Asian khanates. The second part of the article is dedicated to the legacy of Ahmad Donish (1827–1897), an intellectual who took part in three Bukharan embassies sent to Saint Petersburg. Special attention is paid to Donish’s most famous work – “Navodir ul-vaqoe’”, as well as to one of its chapters – “Risola dar nazmi tamaddun va taovun”, written in the ‘Mirrors for Princes’ genre. Donish’s “Risola yo mukhtasare az ta’rikhi saltanati khonadoni manghitiya” is also considered in this article. Both works demonstrate that Donish’s criticism of the political and social state of the Emirate of Bukhara was significant. His concept of progress was based on the correct interpretation of Sharia and on the observance of main Islamic traditions.  Overall, this article will demonstrate the development of social criticism in the works of certain Central Asian writers who lived in the 19th century.