Transformations of High Mountain Pastoral Strategies in the Pamirian Knot

摘要: Abstract Mountain pastoralism in the Pamirian Knot has been significantly transformed from nineteenth to twentieth century. The development path depended on spheres of influence dominating powers and affiliation mighty neighbours and, subsequently, parties Cold War. Significant interventions that led structural changes can be societal transformations, such as those happened Emirate Bokhara--Tsarist Russia--Soviet Union--Tajikistan sequence, well framework establishing Afghan dominance Badakhshan, post-revolutionary Chinese Xinjiang or integration Karakoram communities newly created nation-state Pakistan. Keywords: Central Asia, Pamirs, transformation, mountain pastoralism, combined agriculture As we have seen, mountains resist march history, with its blessings burdens, they accept it only reluctance. And yet life sees there is constant contact between hill population lowlands. None Mediterranean ranges resembles impenetrable found Far East, China, Japan, Indochina, India, far Malacca peninsula. Since no communication sea-level civilization, are autonomous (Braudel 1972: 41). Introduction Phenomena observed high regions regularly interpreted result natural frame conditions rather than visible effects human action environmental construction. This perception particularly encountered when outside industrialized world focus, above quotation Fernand Braudel proves. Modernity for areas defined by extension colonial interest into periphery. In context Asian mountains, expansion highlights focus innermost parts Eurasian landmass after conquest coastal areas. Mountains, plateaux, deserts highlands containing historical Silk Road settlements fertile oases, stretched over a vast area meagre density. search mineral wealth agricultural output was never driving force during transformation colonialism imperialism. latter striving territorial control, boundary making administrative efficiency. Territorial appropriation meant first place exclusion other players conqueror's sole autonomy. philosophy modernity strongly embedded an ethical justification control dominance, epitomized Kipling's 'white man's burden' Dostoyevsky's elaborations importance Asia Russia's future. Both assumed self-imposed mandate aimed modernization remote corners landmass. With missionary zeal state authorization, civil society measures grounded European standards were promoted Asia. Russian counterpart Fyodor M. Dostoyevsky, who justified mission promotion civilization. highly regarded novelist compared North America (see also Hauner 1989, 1992; Sahni 1997). both cases superiority complex based cultural developmental sophistication supported armed administrative, economic social domination afterwards. lower end hierarchies composed nomadic tribes previously had managed evade strict followed lifestyle which perceived new masters one utmost backwardness. Strategic tracts steppes necessitated coming terms mobile groups eventual them. second half century saw heated debate political academic circles about Anglo-Russian rivalry …