Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences / Historiography and State Administration in Uzbekistan

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Issue
Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences. 2013 6 (1)
Authors
Kumar, Dr. Suneel
Contact information
Kumar, Dr. Suneel: Department of Strategic and Regional Studies, University of Jammu , Jammu-180006-Jammu and Kashmir, India , e-mail:
Keywords
Karimov; distortion; construction; deconstruction; reconstruction; historiography; Soviets; Russians; Uzbeks; Tamerlane
Abstract

This article explains how the state administration in Uzbekistan is using historiography as an instrument for diverse objectives consist of legitimization of its political authority among common masses, establishing the country as a great power and achieving its geopolitical ambitions. The author argues that new historiography is anti-Soviet in nature, aimed at the erosion of Soviet past, constructing the myth of lengthy freedom struggle, depicting Tamerlane as a national hero and establishing the Uzbek President Islam Karimov as brave leader equiseta to Tamerlane. Subjective construction, deconstruction and reconstruction of historical events are the prime features of new historiography of post-Soviet Uzbekistan. Though, this might be a source of legitimacy for the Karimov regime and helpful to get recognition for Uzbekistan as a great power, but it has its adverse consequences in the domestic circles as well as in the foreign affairs which could be seen in the form of validation of Karimov’s authoritarianism, emergence of anti-Russian feelings and the imperialistic geopolitical designs of Uzbekistan in Central Asia.

Pages
93-109
Paper at repository of SibFU
https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/9479

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