Historical information about Amir Olimkhan's personal doctor

According to historical sources, the Amir of Bukhara, Sayyid Olimkhan, spent the last years of his life suffering from severe illness, particularly blindness. This was also mentioned in an article published on the "Xabar.uz" website. After the article was published, several historians commented on the fact that Amir Olimkhan indeed had a personal doctor.

According to Shavkat Bobojonov, a doctor of philosophy in history at Tashkent State Pedagogical University, the Amir's main personal doctor was a woman of Russian descent – Rakitskaya.

Medical services and doctors in the Bukhara Emirate

It is known that in the Bukhara Emirate, there were many positions and officials to ensure the service of the supreme ruler – the Amir. Along with the Amir's daily schedule, prayer, study, and reading hours, great attention was also paid to his health. This work was overseen by experienced individuals well-versed in medical science.

Among the palace physicians, one of the most famous was Hakimcha. Additionally, a physician named Mullo Qurbon was also well-known in Bukhara.

Among the personal doctors of Abdulahadkhan, the ninth Amir of the Manghit dynasty, was Rakitskaya, who was of Russian descent. She was gifted to Amir Olimkhan by the Emperor of Russia. According to archival information, she arrived in Bukhara in 1898-1899 and was the most beautiful dancer of the St. Petersburg palace theater.

Rakitskaya – “Duxturshoh” or “Doktorsha”

In Bukhara, she was known among the Tajiks as “duxtur Sho” and among the Russians as “doxturshax” or “doktorsha.” According to Sadriddin Ayni's work "Esdaliklar," although Rakitskaya was around 50 years old, due to her makeup, she appeared to be 30-35 years old.

She bought a house on Gavkushon street and renovated it in a European style. However, she did not receive patients in her home – only wealthy individuals and officials called her to their homes for treatment.

Rakitskaya and medical activities in Bukhara

In 1901, she began working at the Russian-native hospital in Bukhara, and in 1903, she became responsible for the women's department, serving in this position for 9 years. In 1912, she was dismissed from her position as the head of the hospital for only serving the wealthy.

At the same time, she became a well-known doctor among the wealthy and officials in Bukhara.

In the fall of 1912, she resigned from her position at the women's hospital but continued to hold a high status in the Amir's court.

Amir Abdulahadkhan trusted her greatly and protected her as his personal doctor. Even when there were complaints about her medical services being unsatisfactory, the Amir defended her.

Consequences and demise

Rakitskaya aroused hatred among the people for not paying attention to ordinary patients.

In March 1918, during the Kolesov events, she intended to flee to the Moxi Khossa palace where Amir Olimkhan was living, but on the way, she and her friend Jo‘ra karvonboy were killed by the local population.

Additionally, according to archival information, Rakitskaya did not live in Bukhara until 1930.

Historical documents indicate that she treated the wealthy among the people but became a victim of public wrath for not helping the poor.

Rakitskaya was one of the personal doctors who served during the reigns of two Amirs, Abdulahadkhan and Sayyid Olimkhan. She felt herself in a high position, but her indifference to the public earned her the people's hatred.

Moreover, there is no concrete evidence that she was among the dancers in the Amir's harem.

However, it is true that she became a famous figure in Bukhara, was under the protection of the Amirs, and gained a reputation among the wealthy population.