About the book: 2003 / The proposed translation of the famous book by Arminius Vambery tells about his wanderings through Central Asia in 1863. Full of dangers and hardships, this journey was in the spirit of his era, marked by important geographical and other discoveries. The 19th century went down in world history as a period when the eyes of European politicians, scientists, and entrepreneurs were focused on the unexplored and inaccessible corners of Asia. Particular attention was paid to the study of natural conditions, history, ethnography, religion and culture of the peoples of Central Asia. Interest in this mysterious region was fueled by rumors about its untold riches, native gold, strange markets, slave trade, original customs, nomadic freemen, fanatical despots of Khiva, Bukhara, Kokand. Of great importance, of course, was the geographical and strategic position of the region, bordering Russia and the Indian colonial possessions of Great Britain.