Iskanderkul Expedition of 1870: Contribution of the Russian Orientalist A.L.Kuhn to the Preparation and Editing of the «Diary of the Iskanderkul Expedition» by A.Mustajir

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the Iskanderkul expedition of 1870, organized with the aim of exploring little-known territories along the eastern border of the Zarafshan district and the southern border of the Syrdarya region. The main attention is paid to the role of the orientalist A.L.Kuna in conducting the expedition and his contribution to the preparation of the “Diary of the Iskanderkul Expedition” Mirza Mullah “Abd ar-Rahaman, son of Muhammad Latif Mustajir. The article notes the strategic importance of this expedition for Tsarist Russia and emphasizes the role of A.L.Kuhn, who has deep knowledge of Eastern cultures and languages. He paid special attention to the language and culture of the Tajiks of the Zarafshan Valley. The article highlights the relevance of cooperation between Russian researchers and local authors for the study and preservation of the cultural heritage of Central Asia in the context of geopolitics, ethnography and language studies. The Iskanderkul expedition and A.Mustajir’s “Diary” are important sources for the study of history, ethnography, spiritual culture and socioeconomic conditions of life in the upper reaches of Zarafshan in the second half of the 19th century. This study is relevant for understanding the historical and cultural context of Central Asia, especially the upper reaches of Zarafshan.