Craftsmanship in Bukhara in The Late 19th - Early 20th Centuries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/Keywords:
Manual Labor, Large Industrial Enterprise, Ethnographer, Degrez, Rekhtagar, Household Goods, Bellmaker, Factory, Spade, Guzar, BeklikAbstract
Bukhara has historically been recognized as a vibrant center of craftsmanship in Central Asia, with artisanal traditions forming a cornerstone of its economic and cultural identity. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Emirate of Bukhara experienced notable changes in its craft sector, influenced by socio-political transformations, increased trade, and the onset of industrialization. Despite extensive documentation of Bukhara’s architectural and scholarly legacy, the systematic study of its craft economy and artisanal evolution during this transitional period remains underexplored. This article investigates the development and transformation of various branches of craftsmanship in Bukhara during the specified era, highlighting their socio-economic significance, artisanal practices, and the impact of colonial influence. The study identifies gold embroidery, papermaking, jewelry, blacksmithing, bronze casting, and wood carving as dominant artisanal sectors. It reveals that these crafts were deeply rooted in manual labor and familial inheritance, often localized within guzars or villages named after specific trades. The gradual emergence of industrial workshops, investor-led enterprises, and external trade relations, especially with Russian firms, marked the beginning of economic diversification. By combining historical sources, ethnographic accounts, and localized records, the research offers a multidimensional portrayal of Bukhara’s craftsmanship as both a cultural expression and economic engine. The findings underscore the role of artisanal labor in sustaining local economies, shaping urban identities, and adapting to external political and economic pressures-an insight that remains relevant for heritage preservation and regional development policies today.
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