E. A. GLUSHCHENKO. RUSSIA IN CENTRAL ASIA. CONQUESTS AND TRANSFORMATIONS, Moscow: Tsentrpoligraf Publ., 2010, 576 p. The reviewed monograph is a comprehensive study of the complex and multifaceted processes of Central Asia's annexation to the Russian Empire, colonization and development of the conquered regions and the establishment of a peaceful life in them. In modern conditions, the book becomes particularly important, as it is a response to the challenge of historians of independent states, primarily Uzbekistan, whose "works" are unprofessional, often contain falsified information and are distinguished by their rejection of obvious facts. Such "revelations", which are also burdened with aggressive Russophobia, go into history textbooks for secondary schools and poison the consciousness of modern generations of the population of these countries. Modern Uzbek historians accuse the Russians of "blocking the natural evolution of Central Asian statehood", ignoring the vital interests of the indigenous population, depriving them of political rights and freedoms. The author writes in this regard: "The accusation of "deprivation of political rights of the indigenous population", which did not have any, sounds ridiculous. The subjects of the khans and emirs had neither property rights nor any other civil rights, except the right to lose their heads without trial " (p. 7). The paper consists of an introduction, two parts, conclusion, appendices, bibliography, and a personal index. The first part of the book - "Conquests of the Region" - begins with a brief excursion into the history of Central Asia and its three khanates. The author analyzes the reasons why the region was extremely backward in both socio-political and economic relations. One of the main factors that caused the stagnation of Central Asia was its isolation from the world market. In Russia, the Central Asian region was first seriously interested under Peter the Great. In 1717, a detachment of Prince A. Bekov ... Читать далее