تصویر برساخته از ایران در آسیای مرکزی، در نیمۀ دوم سدۀ نوزدهم

رابطۀ ایران و آسیای مرکزی پیشینه‌ای طولانی دارد. روایت‌های گوناگونی از گستردگی و عمق این روابط وجود دارد. با خارج‌شدن این منطقه از زیر نفوذ سیاسی ایران در نیمۀ دوم سدۀ نوزدهم، جامعۀ دانشگاهی و عموم مردم ایران بر این باورند که این مناطق، پاره‌های جداشده‌ای از خاک ایران هستند و مردم آسیای مرکزی، زیر سلطۀ روسیۀ تزاری و سپس اتحاد شوروی، از پیوندهای تاریخی خود با ایران جدا شده‌ و به ناچار به این جدایی رضایت داده‌اند. در این نوشتار در پی پاسخ این پرسش هستیم که در نیمۀ دوم سدۀ نوزدهم که سال‌های پایانی نفوذ سیاسی ایران در منطقه بود، مردم منطقه چه تصویری از ایران داشتند و چه عواملی در شکل‌گیری این تصویر نقش داشته است؟ این نوشتار نتیجۀ پژوهشی کیفی با شیوۀ تحلیل تاریخی است. گردآوری داده‌ها نیز به شیوۀ اسنادی انجام شده است. منبع اصلی این نوشتار، سفرنامه‌هایی است که نمایندگان سیاسی و مسافران ایرانی و غربی نوشته‌‌اند. مطالعۀ منابع و بررسی دقیق داده‌های موجود، ما را به این نتیجه رساند که در این دورۀ تاریخی، تصویری منفی از ایران در منطقه وجود داشته است و مردم آسیای مرکزی نه تنها ایران و ایرانی‌ها را دوست خود نمی‌دانستند، بلکه آن‌ها را به چشم دشمن خود می‌نگریستند. همین تصویر منفی در کنار عوامل دیگری که در متن بررسی شده است، نقش مهمی در جدایی دائمی این منطقه از جهان فرهنگی ایران داشته است.

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.