The Constructed Image of Iran in Central Asia in the Second Half of the Nineteenth Century

Introduction: The relationship between Iran and Central Asia has a long and complex history. For over a millennium, this region was part of the Iranian/Islamic Empire, leading many Iranians—both scholars and ordinary citizens—to believe that Central Asia remains an integral part of the Iranian cultural and civilizational sphere. As a result, after the occupation of this region by Tsarist Russia and later the Soviet Union, the people of Central Asia were separated from their cultural and civilizational homeland, a separation they inevitably accepted.
From this perspective, despite political borders, it is thought that the people of Central Asia have a positive view of Iranian civilization. However, a closer examination of this historical period shows that this notion is incorrect. In the second half of the 19th century, a negative image of Iran prevailed in the region. This article examines the constructed image of Iran in Central Asia by reviewing the works produced during this historical period, especially the travelogues of Iranians and Westerners who visited the region.
Research questions: What was the constructed image of Iran in Central Asia like during the second half of the 19th century? What were the primary factors that contributed to the construction of Iran's image in Central Asia during this period?
Research hypothesis: The research hypothesis of this article suggests that during this historical period, Central Asia harbored a negative image of Iran and as a result, the people of Central Asia had a contemptuous view of Iran and its people. Methodology and theoretical framework: Qualitative methods and historical analysis were used to test the hypothesis presented in this article. Historical analysis is particularly relevant when the subject of research concerns events that occurred in the past and have come to fruition now. This method applies a scientific approach to historical research, which involves a systematic search for documents and evidence in the field of study. Consequently, historical analysis focuses on events that occurred before the researcher decided to investigate them.  Therefore, the collection method used in this research is qualitative and based on documentary analysis.
Results and discussion: A literature review of the image constructed of Iran in Central Asia in the second half of the nineteenth century shows that the public perception of Iranians of Central Asia was significantly divorced from reality. Key factors contributing to this negative image include different religious beliefs, contrasting lifestyles, the weakness of the Iranian central government and Russia’s incursion into Central Asia. As a result, the people of Central Asia viewed Shiite Iranians as infidels and tried to avoid interacting with them. At the same time, the nomadic lifestyle of the Central Asian people, along with their warlike spirit, made raiding trade caravans and villages in northeastern Iran one of the important occupations of the Central Asian people. Therefore, it is not surprising that during this period in history, most of the encounters between individuals on both sides of these conflicts were between them. On the other hand, the weakness of the central government of Iran and its inability to provide security for Iranian villagers had caused central Asians to, in addition to attacking Iranian caravans and travelers, plunder villages in the northeast and even the center of Iran, undermining the country’s security. The painful defeats of the Iranian army against poorly organized groups of Central Asian warlords reinforced this weakness and helplessness of the Iranians in the eyes of the people of Central Asia. Moreover, Russia’s entry into the region was the final blow to Iran's image in Central Asia. While the Iranian style of government and life had remained stagnant for the past thousand years, the Russians brought with them many symbols of modern and advanced life to Central Asia. The power of the Russian army, along with their modern governance, caused the Iranian/Islamic style of governance and lifestyle to become a symbol of backwardness and inefficiency and Russia to be considered a symbol of progress and technology.
Conclusion: One of the most critical issues in any country’s foreign policy is its global image. Many factors play a role in shaping a country's image and this process is inherently relational. That is, regardless of how each nation perceives itself, the perceptions of other nations are equally important. In this article, we examined the self-image of Iranians and compared it with the real image of central Asian Iranians in the second half of the 19th century. Our analysis, based on historical evidence and documents left by Iranian and Western travelers and researchers, revealed significant differences between these two images. Contrary to the Iranian perceptions, the people of Central Asia did not have a positive view of Iran during that historical period; instead, their southern neighbors saw themselves as weak and backward. Therefore, we believe that it is essential for Iranian politicians, academics and the general public to develop a clear understanding of how they are perceived by other nations. This awareness will enable them to define and regulate their relations with these countries more effectively.