The dominant ethnic group in Bokhara were the Uzbegs (65%). Other significant ethnic groups included Tajiks (25%), Turcomans (5%) with the remaining population including Arabs, Kalmuks, Kazakhs, Karakalpaks and Persian slaves. The total population was about 2.5 million.

Sarbazes were troops trained to fight in the European style of formed ranks, coordinated maneuvers and using volley fire. These comprised the bulk of the infantry and regular troops. For most of the period, artillery was assigned to specific Sarbaze regiments. The number of guns assigned depended on how many the unit’s commander wanted to finance.

Kara-alamans were mounted regular troops. Another term for Sipahis or a specific unit of ruler loyal troops. Sipahis. Mounted troops employed as regulars by the ruler often around the capital.

Galebaturs were troops of the ruler’s bodyguard. They were often mounted.

Khusa Burdar were trained militiamen who fought dragoon style by riding to the battle and dismounting to fight. They were armed with matchlock rifles. The major towns raised the units and their strength depended on the size of the town.

Nawkar formed the majority of the Irregular formations. They were mounted units raised under a vassal system by local beys. This means that units may vary in size based on the manpower available to each bey. Each local ruler maintained a small full time bodyguard.

Unit Organization

Unit organization for all troop types were standardized and based on a decimal system. Tactical units for both cavalry and infantry were of ten, 50 (pinja) and 100 (yuz) men. Five Yuz (company/troop) units were called a pansad (Battalion/Squadron). Infantry units had two pansad combined into a ming (regiment). Infantry units averaged an 80% actual strength. Cavalry units operated more as yuz than pansads.

Bokhara Flags

Pinja mounted units carried traditional Asiatic nomad horsetail standards. Cavalry Yuz and pansad units carried square standards Cavalry pansad banners deployed with the band rather than the commander? Heath indicates that some banners may have contained ‘Mamluk style heraldry’. Infantry pansads and mings carried triangular banners.

Clothing and Uniforms.

Knee high boots. The headgear was often a turban wrapped around a skull cap or a pointed cap. White was regarded as the common Bokharan turban color by the 1870s. Though earlier reports indicate that blue and red etched white turbans were used along with some all red turbans. In the winter a red fur-lined cap was often worn.

Loose baggy shirts and trousers. An outer choga and Khalats were in various colors with the following examples given: green, white, yellow, black with red stripes, purple with white stripes and green with blue stripes. The stripes may have been straight, jagged or horizontal as bands. Other motifs of flowers, animals or geometric shapes decorated the clothing. An outer coat (chapan) of camel wool that could also be brightly colored was worn in the winter or out in the wilderness.

Regular Sarbaz uniforms were red coats, black trousers, black/gray sheepskin caps. The shade of red varied between men and units based on the dye of that production run.

Artillerymen may have worn a dark blue coat with a red collar. The dress of bodyguard troops of the Amir, begs and beys would have had their position denoted by elaborate embroidery (gold trim, etc.) on their turbans and traditional sash. Armor and mail breastplates were also used as a mark of status and rank.

Weapons

Functional artillery was rare in the region, so any being present was a mark of power. Caliber sizes ranged from 1 pdr camel mounted swivel guns to common 3pdr-6pdr field guns which was the most popular, to the large 72 pdr fortress guns. A rifle was never thrown away among the tribesmen. As a result most militia and tribesmen carried matchlocks. Even the Sarbaz carried matchlocks though some units and guard units had flintlocks. Most sarbazes carried swords and some bayonets. All irregular cavalry carried swords and some carried cane lances.

Russian Enemies of Central Asia

Afghanistan
Bokhara Khanate
Khiva Khanate (a.k.a. Khwarizm or Khorezm)
Khokan Khanate
Turcoman Tribes
Russians