Historical photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries depict the faces of those who decided the history and destiny of the Khiva and Kokand khanates and the Emirate of Bukhara over the last half-century.
In historical photographs, only one photograph of Said Muzaffariddin Bahadur Khan, who ruled the Emirate of Bukhara from 1860 to 1885, is known, taken by F. Orde in the 1880s.
Said Muzaffariddin Bakhodirkhan died in 1885 and was buried next to his ancestors at the Imla Eshon cemetery in Bukhara. According to contemporaries, "he was a sullen man with thick eyebrows, a bright gaze, and sharp eyes... His gaze, voice, and demeanor were pleasant to the interlocutor," and his face "radiated openness and humanity." The same impression is made when observing his photo portrait.
Who is Orde?
The numerous photographs taken by F. Orde in the late 1880s and early 1890s were among the first striking examples of a new stage in the process of ethnographic photography of Central Asia. Although there is no information about the biography of this photographer or the conditions of his travel, there are many photo documents related to his camera from Central Asia, the Caucasus, and other regions of Russia and their surroundings. His photographs of Central Asia included not only unique architectural monuments and famous people, representatives of the upper class, but also ordinary citizens—markets, artisans and their workshops, products, religious and folk holidays, and entertainment events.
Amir Said Abdulahad Khan (reigned 1885–1910) was photographed alongside his high-ranking officials. Most of them were taken between 1880 and 1890.
 |  |
Photographs of political leaders are an important historical source.