CENTRAL ASIA: IN DEvELOPMENT
The history of Central Asia was largely shaped
by climate and geography particularly the tem-
peratures, terrain, and the availability of natural
resources. The dryness and the non-arable land
led to the development of few bustling cities
and few densely populated areas. This was also
reinforced by the nomadic culture. These fac-
tors heavily influence the current history and
the dynamics within
the region and Central
Asia’s relations with its neighbors and social,
economic, and political partners. Historically,
the region of Central Asia did not particularly
exist until after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
It was either known as the Soviet Union or the
more general, Eurasia. However,
Central Asia
has emerged as one of the most important
geostrategic areas in modern-day politics and
economics.
D
HISTORY
Due to Central Asia’s geographic and strategic location, it has always enjoyed cer-
tain advantages, but also suffered many disadvantages. Some advantages are ac-
cess to trade routes, emerging global powers and emerging global markets, Russia
and China. Geographically, the region is rich in fossil fuels and minerals. Central
Asia’s geographic location puts it at a disadvantage as being used as a battle-
ground for external powers from the East and from the West.
To clearly understand
the geo-strategic significance of landlocked Central Asia one must know about its
rich and complicated history.
04
Not much is known about the people of Central
Asia until the 8th century B.C. with the appear-
ance of the Scythians. They exhibited some of
the same traits as Central Asian people do
today: nomadic, traveled the same areas, and
used horses—an
important part of their
lifestyle (used for warfare as well). The Scythi-
ans, as a nomadic empire, declined around 5th
century B.C. Afterwards, a new Central Asia Em-
pire, the Xiongnu Empire, emerged and chal-
lenged the Chinese and adopted many Han
Dynasty customs.
Moreover, during the 8th century, the Tajiks
(who are Persians) emerged as an ethnic group.
The establishment of the Tajik nation-state also
began around this time. The Scythians were
conquered by the Uyghurs, the first and most
significant Turkic Group. The
Uyghurs traded
across Eurasia; they brought different objects
into China, such as Persian silvers and textiles
and acted as cultural ambassadors as they in-
troduced Islam in China and carried Chinese
culture to the West. Around the year of 840 B.C.,
the Uyghur Empire collapsed and in the late 9th
and 10th century, the Chinese Empire collapsed
and the Iranian Empire went through a decline.
Also during 9th and 10th century, the Persian
Samanid dynasty (819 – 999 A.D.), a Sunni Mus-
lim Empire, gained control of Central Asia and,
in alliance with the caliph of Baghdad, estab-
lished Bukhara (now in Uzbekistan) as the main
Muslim center in the region.
The Mongols came into power in the 13th cen-
tury and here is where we see the influence of
the Central Asian people’s culture in a powerful
group. The Mongols
were interested in trade
which was typical for the region and focused on
science. The end of the Mongol Empire marked
a turning point for Central Asia.
Recorded history began in Central Asia in 6th
century B.C. with the advent of the large
Achaemenid Empire. Also the 6th century saw
the expansion of the Turkish Göktürk Empire
(552 A.D., the Ruruan Empire fell), Turkic tribes
spread throughout
the region including the
pastoral nomad group like the Uyghurs,
brought together by the trade of the Silk Route
at Turfan, which was then ruled by China’s Tang
Dynasty. The Göktürk Empire built a significant
empire along the steppes and encompassed all
of
greater Mongolia, lands westward to the
Caspian Sea, and the lands eastward to Korea.
After the collapse of the Göktürk Empire (or
Khanate) in 744 A.D.,
the Uighur Empire
(Khanate) followed and fell, there were smaller
power structures/kingdoms until the Mongols
established their dominance in the 13th cen-
tury. The Göktürk Empire lends itself to the eth-
nic designator, “Turk” which was passed onto
groups settling in this area. This empire was fol-
lowed by the Uyghur Empire.
The expansion of the Achaemenid Persian Em-
pire and later, Alexander the Great’s Empire, saw
a mix of sedentary and nomadic lifestyles and
Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: 
