The Archival Fund of the Bukhara Emirate, housed in the Qushbegi Chancellery in Bukhara, has been added to the prestigious Memory of the World International Register. This recognition comes as part of the 2023 additions, which saw a total of 64 new items of heritage being registered.
The Bukhara Emirate's Archival Fund is a treasure trove of historical records that spans more than two centuries in the region now known as Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and partially Afghanistan. It provides valuable insights into the Bukhara Emirate's diplomatic relations with various countries, including Russia, Great Britain, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Japan, and the United States of America. It also sheds light on the interactions between the Bukhara Emirate and the Khiva and Kokand khanates in Central Asia.
Currently, the documents are housed in the National Archives of Uzbekistan, and each one has been verified as original and authentic. The collection primarily comprises documents signed by the ruling emirs of Bukhara, as well as other key officials such as sheikh-ul-Islam (high officials on Islamic issues), muftis, judges, guards, and advisors. Written in multiple languages, including Arabic, Persian, Uzbek, Chagatai, Russian, and Turkish, among others, the collection consists of approximately 9,500 folders containing around 200,000 individual documents.
The Memory of the World Programme, under the auspices of UNESCO, aims to preserve the world's documentary heritage, particularly in regions affected by conflict and natural disasters. It seeks to provide global access to documentary heritage and raise public awareness of the significance of preserving and sharing such cultural treasures.
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