Developing publishing industry in Turkestan at the turn of the 20th century

Abstract

The authors attempt the comprehensive study of developing publishing industry in the Turkestan region after accession to the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19-th century. The study is based on the periodicals, research papers, archival materials related to the period under study. The authors summarize information on the first printing houses, bookstores and their owners in the materials available from the rare book and manuscript collections of the National Library of Uzbekistan, the Fundamental Library of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Central State Archive of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The authors emphasize that despite private publishing houses and printing houses were then established in Turkestan, the book publications by government institutions, departments, scientific and cultural societies prevailed. The authors conclude that the enhancement of the publishing industry in the end of the 19-th century was stipulated by the increasing population demand for printed products, as well as by the increasing demand for printed advertising products owing to the growth of industry and trade. The authors describe the evolution of the book distribution system within the socio-economic and cultural processes in the regional in society. The authors argue that the book distribution in the region combined with the principles of entrepreneurship and enlightenment, while the involvement of the regional administration in the management of this industry was insignificant.