The Shaybanid State Under Abdullakhan Ii

Abstract

This article explores the political, administrative, and foreign policy developments of the Bukhara Khanate during the reign of Abdullah Khan II (r. 1557–1598). It examines the consolidation of the Shaybanid state in Transoxiana, highlighting the internal struggles for power, feudal rivalries, and the eventual unification of the region under Abdullah Khan II. The study outlines the administrative structure of the khanate, emphasizing key offices such as the khan, devonbegi (chief minister), otaliq, naqib, and kökaldosh, and their roles in governance, military affairs, and religious matters. The article also analyzes the khanate’s foreign relations, focusing on interactions with Safavid Iran, the Siberian Khanate, and the Baburid state in Hindustan. Particular attention is given to territorial conflicts over Khorasan, sectarian tensions between Sunni Bukhara and Shi‘ite Safavids, and military campaigns led by Abdullah Khan II and his son Abdulmo‘min. Additionally, the article addresses Bukhara’s diplomatic and trade relations with Russia and Siberia, emphasizing the geopolitical and economic significance of these connections. The study concludes that Abdullah Khan II, despite relying on military force to maintain internal order, successfully strengthened the khanate’s political authority, safeguarded its territorial integrity, and enhanced its regional and international standing through active diplomacy and strategic foreign policy.