A Study Of The Cotton Growing In Central Asia During The Imperial Russian Period

In order to ensure a stable source of raw materials for the Russian cotton textile industry,the Russian Empire government relied on all the favourable conditions in Central Asia for the development of the cotton industry,and with the development,construction of Central Asian measures in the development of cotton industry in Central Asia.These measures,including the development of irrigation,the construction of railways and agricultural technical support,have played a positive role in the progress of cotton production in Central Asia at different levels.From the founding of the 1867 Turkestan General Governorate to the fall of the Russian Empire regime in 1917,the cotton industry in Central Asia experienced three stages,each with different characteristics.Eventually,at the beginning of the 20 th century,Central Asia cotton grew to its highest level in history.The development of cotton-growing industry in Central Asia had great influence on both Central Asia and Russia.For Central Asia,cotton production became the basis of economic development in the period of Imperial Russia.Cotton planting not only changed the traditional agricultural economic pattern of Central Asia,but also established a series of cotton-related industries in Central Asia.With the help of cotton industry,Russia brought Central Asia into the unified market of Russia,and formed the situation that the economy of Central Asia was dependent on the European Russian markets.More importantly,it resulted in the unbalanced development of agricultural economic structure and industry in Central Asia,which had a far-reaching impact on the historical process of Central Asia.For the Russians,the development of Central Asia cotton industry as a product of their colonization of Central Asia,on the one hand,increased the share of cotton produced in Central Asia in the Russian cotton textile industry,and ensured the source of raw materials for the cotton textile industry,and promoted the formation of monopoly organization in Russian cotton textile industry.On the other hand,Russia took Central Asia as a colony,while acquiring raw cotton and dumping food and cotton products to Central Asia,and finally turned Central Asia into the raw material origin of Russian cotton textile industry.Therefore,the study of cotton industry in Central Asia during the period of Imperial Russia can not only enrich the perspective of the history of Central Asia,but also better understand the economic and social conditions of Central Asia under Russian colonial rule.