Nationalism in Central Asia

The book explores how national identity among the Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Turkmens emerged from Soviet-era social engineering. It highlights the development of a "national" elite and intelligentsia, educated in their own languages and connected to Soviet-defined territories. These groups played a crucial role in the transition to independence, helping to establish political continuity in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The narrative examines how these states now adapt Soviet constructs to legitimize their governance, with intelligentsia contributing to the promotion of national identity through various forms of expression.