Turkic historical studies (pISSN: 3007-6358 / eISSN: 3007-6366)

WOMAN, WAR, AND SUFFERING: UZBEK WOMEN ON THE HOME FRONT DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Rano Makhkamova — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the social, economic, and cultural activities of women in Uzbekistan during the years of the Second World War. Under the difficult conditions of wartime, women took an active part in agriculture, industry, education, culture, and various other areas of public life. The study examines not only their economic contribution to the country’s development but also the emotional and psychological challenges they faced in everyday life. Special attention is paid to the image of the “selfless woman” created and promoted within Soviet ideology, where women’s endurance, bravery, and resilience were emphasized through official propaganda.

The research is based on archival documents, periodical press materials, and memoir sources. Drawing on these data, the article highlights the difficult fate of women during wartime, their struggle with everyday hardships, and the transformation of traditional gender roles in the context of war. By applying comparative-historical and analytical methods, the study seeks to provide a fuller picture of women’s participation in the socio-economic and cultural life of the country. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of gender history and emphasizes the significance of Uzbek women’s role during the war years as an essential element of the historical memory of the nation.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE KOKAND KHANATE AND THE GOVERNOR-GENERALSHIP OF TURKESTAN

Sirojiddin Nabijonov — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study of relations between the Kokand Khanate and the Turkestan General-Governorship is currently one of the relevant scientific directions. In particular, after the establishment of the Turkestan General-Governorship in 1867, there arose a need for a detailed analysis of the establishment of political relations between the Kokand Khanate and the General-Governorship, as well as of the processes accompanying this stage. Of special importance is the identification of the content and meaning of diplomatic letters and notes exchanged between July 1867 and February 1868, as well as the examination of the composition, goals, and functions of the embassies.

It is well known that in the second half of the nineteenth century, the active expansion of the Russian Empire into Central Asia led to significant changes in the political life of the region. The Kokand Khanate, seeking to preserve its independence, pursued various diplomatic measures and, at the same time, was compelled to regulate its relations with Russia to a certain extent. As a result, the continuity of diplomatic tendencies and the distinctive diplomatic traditions of the parties became more pronounced in the process of establishing political ties.

In this regard, the article, based on a comparative-analytical approach and drawing on a range of foreign, local, and archival materials, examines the establishment of political relations between the Kokand Khanate and the Turkestan General-Governorship during the short period up to February 1868, and highlights the order and processes of their formation.

THEMATIC CLASSIFICATION OF WORDS IN ASH-SHUZUR AZ-ZAHABIYYA AND THEIR COMPARATIVE STUDY ACROSS MANUSCRIPTS

Dildora Nasirova — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

“Ash-Shuzur az-Zahabiyya”, and conducts a comparative study across various manuscript versions of the text. This work holds a significant place in the fields of Arabic grammar and lexicography, serving as an essential historical source for understanding the structure and development of the Arabic language.

The main objective of the research is to categorize words in the text according to their semantic and thematic characteristics, identify their lexical relationships, and analyze the differences between multiple manuscript versions. In the study, modern thematic classification methods and structural-linguistic approaches were applied to group the words into several categories, including religious terminology, everyday concepts, socio-political terms, and cultural-historical vocabulary.

Furthermore, the study compares the textual variations found in different manuscripts, highlighting editorial modifications, phonetic distinctions, and lexical discrepancies. These findings provide valuable insights into the historical evolution of Arabic vocabulary and manuscript traditions.

The results of the research contribute to a deeper understanding of the linguistic and cultural significance of “Ash-Shuzur az-Zahabiyya” and offer a useful reference for scholars, linguists, and researchers working in the fields of Arabic studies, lexicography, and comparative linguistics.

FRENCH RESEARCH ON ISLAMIC ISSUES IN POST-SOVIET CENTRAL ASIA: HISTORIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

Jahongir Ostonov — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article presents a comprehensive and critical historiographical analysis of the French school of research on the socio-political and cultural dynamics of Islam in post-Soviet Central Asia. The study is based on a qualitative methodology, specifically a systematic analysis of sources, employing thematic and diachronic approaches. The primary objective is to trace the epistemological and methodological evolution of French scholarship from 1991 to the present, identify key paradigm shifts, and define the distinctive position of this school within global Central Asian studies. The analysis reveals that French research has evolved through three main intellectual phases: [1] the foundational works of the 1990s, which focused on deconstructing the "political Islam" paradigm and rejecting geopolitical alarmism (O. Roy); [2] a fundamental anthropological turn in the 2000s, shifting the research focus to "everyday Islam," local practices, historical traditions (S. Dudoignon), and gender dimensions (H. Fathi); and [3] a contemporary phase marked by the emergence of new and complex themes such as transnational religious movements (B. Balci) and the state's instrumentalization of religion (S. Peyrouse). The article compares the distinct methodological strengths of the French school—such as its emphasis on terrain (fieldwork), longue durée (long-term historical perspective), and the de-essentialization of Islam—with the approaches of Anglophone and Russian academic traditions. It also discusses certain methodological limitations and critical aspects of the French school. In conclusion, the article assesses the fundamental contribution of French scholarship in liberating the study of Islam in the region from simplistic frameworks and revealing its complex social reality.

KIDARITES RULE IN NORTHWESTERN INDIA: CONQUEST, GOVERNANCE, AND LEGACY

Sarboz Saparov — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article provides a comprehensive study of the history of the Kidarites kingdom (4th–5th centuries CE), analyzing its conquest, governance, and legacy in northwestern India and adjacent regions. Drawing on a wide range of sources—written records, archaeological materials, and numismatic evidence—the research aims to reassess the role of the Kidarites as both conquerors and state-builders. Written sources, including Chinese chronicles, Roman and Byzantine historians, Armenian and Persian records, and Indian epigraphic inscriptions, shed light on the political, military, and diplomatic activities of the Kidarites in Tokharistan, Gandhara, and the Punjab region. Archaeological evidence, such as urban destruction layers and settlement patterns, reflects the territorial shifts and sociopolitical disruptions caused by their invasions, while also demonstrating attempts to restore governance and stability.

Numismatic materials play a central role in the analysis, illustrating how the Kidarites legitimized their authority by adopting Kushan titles, iconography, and administrative traditions. The circulation of their gold and silver coins underscores not only their economic power but also their active participation in regional and international trade networks connecting Central Asia, Iran, and India. The article further highlights the transitional nature of the Kidarites polity, situating them between the decline of the Kushan Empire and the rise of the Hephthalites (White Huns). Despite their relatively brief dominance, the Kidarites contributed to the preservation of Kushan legacies in art, governance, and religious life, while also introducing new nomadic-military elements into the region's political landscape.

The study emphasizes that the Kidarites should not be seen merely as destructive invaders but rather as a dynamic force that bridged two historical epochs. Their rule exemplifies how nomadic confederations could integrate sedentary administrative traditions, maintain trade routes, and contribute to cultural continuity in post-imperial South and Central Asia. In this respect, the Kidarites represent an important, though often overlooked, chapter in the history of the region, whose impact resonated long after their political decline.

AGRICULTURE IN TASHKENT DURING AND AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR: DEVELOPMENT, PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Zamira Toirova — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article analyzes the development of agriculture in Tashkent and its region during and after the Second World War. The main focus is on the challenges arising from the shortage of equipment and specialists, as well as the solutions implemented in such difficult conditions. The article emphasizes the prioritization of cotton growing, which resulted in a decrease in the cultivation of food crops for the local population, negatively impacting the region’s food security. The crucial role of women and children in agricultural work is highlighted, as they had to replace men mobilized to the front. The article also considers environmental issues caused by excessive fertilizer use. The impact of Soviet agricultural policy, which prioritized state needs over those of the local population, is critically analyzed. Finally, the importance of balancing state planning requirements with regional food independence is underlined. The results contribute to drawing historical lessons and developing relevant recommendations for modern agriculture.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE SHUBARSU SETTLEMENT

Baurzhan, Olesia Baitanayeva, Alfarabi Otar — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The article presents the results of archaeological research of the Shubarsu monument, located on the northwestern outskirts of the city of Shymkent, near the Kainarbulak residential area, on the left bank of the river of the same name. Archaeological excavations at the Shubarsu sites, conducted in 2025, revealed typologically previously unknown objects in the region. The first is a tower-like construction made of specially prepared clay. Its base diameter is approximately 40 meters, with a height of 4.5 meters. The internal space of the structure, which has an oval shape (9×6.6 meters), was filled with densely compacted clay. Inside, two wells were discovered, containing fragments of pottery, animal bones, and ash layers buried under clay. The second structure – a platform adjacent to the "tower" and initially identified as a "manor" – is a clay platform approximately 1 meter thick, containing pits filled with earth-covered finds, including broken ceramics, animal bones, as well as stone and metal objects. The ceramic assemblage from these sites is preliminarily dated to the IV-VI and VII-VIII centuries AD.

The analysis of stratigraphy and archaeological materials indicates the ritual nature of the sites, associated with ceremonial practices of ancient Central Asian societies aimed at preserving the remains of food and sacrificial offerings.

The archaeological research at the Shubarsu site was conducted based on the state procurement contract No. 32 dated March 4, 2025, between the State Public Utility Company "Union of Museums of the City of Shymkent" of the Department of Culture, Languages, and Archives of Shymkent City and the Limited Liability Partnership "Engineering Archaeology".