Russian general L. F. Kostenko's trip to Bukhara (1870)

Turkestan, which has an important place in Turkish history, has attracted the attention of many states throughout history with the advantages provided by its geopolitical and strategic position. Especially from the XVIth century onwards, Russia, in line with the expansion policy that it put on the agenda during the reign of Peter I, attached special importance to the Turkestan region and aimed to be in constant contact with this region. In this context, Bukhara, one of the ancient cities of Turkestan, has been one of the most important stopping points that attracted Russia's attention strategically and culturally. Acting with the aim of discovering and understanding Bukhara, the Russians sent delegations of travellers, diplomats and ambassadors to the region under different identities. In this context, in the second half of the XIXth century, when the relations between Tsarist Russia and Bukhara Khanate intensified, Russian general L. F. Kostenko was one of the important personalities sent to Bukhara on an embassy mission. During his journey to Bukhara in 1870, Kostenko recorded his route in detail and included everything he observed in his notes. Reporting the events encountered by the mission during his travels, Kostenko comprehensively examined the way of life of the people, the architectural features of the city, and the social and economic situation of the khanate since his arrival in Bukhara Khanate. Key Words: Bukhara, Khanate of Bukhara, Tsarist Russia, Turkestan, Travelogue, L. F. Kostenko