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Paper abstract:

Whenever speaking about the Turkish studies in Hungary, one may recall the name of Vámbéry, who went from Istanbul to the Central Asia, thus to Bokhara and Khiva, then returned across Afghanistan, arrived at Persia, all way going on foot. Moreover, he covered his European identity, for it was dangerous and he could be killed if unfolded, hence his marvellous knowledge of the languages and extremely strong spirit, ability for serenity, saved him. In that time, the middle of the 19th century, there happened “The Great Game” between the British Empire and the Russian Tsardom, for gaining the power over the Central Asia. (Ingram, 1980; Rezun, 1986; McDaniel, 2011) Therefore, he was evaluated by the officials of the British Empire, such as the Ambassador of the UK in Teheran, who became his friend and provider, too, by financial and official help. Due to this patron, after his wanderings the British Government received him with a great respect, his prestige grew in London, and he was appointed for an Advisor of the British Government. The great record of Vámbéry, it was the description of his trip to Central Asia, Khiva and Bokhara. (His two-volumes book: “Travel in Middle Asia” in German: Vámbéry, 1865, 2nd ed. 1873) He studied culture and history of Bokhara in person, and his book about them was published in German then English, too, in two volumes, introduced the Western, and also Turkish public of those times into the history and culture of that unknown yet country. (Vámbéry, 1872; 1873) - Now in this paper we deal with those two works by Vámbéry, which introduced the "Great Game" between the Tsarist Russia and the British Empire. These were: "Russlands Machtstellung in Asien" (Leipzig, 1871) [Russia's Power Position in Asia] and "Zentralasien und die Englisch-Russische Grenzfrage" (ib. 1873) [Central Asia and the English-Russian Border Question]. It is of great significance, how saw Vámbéry from Central Asia this "Great game" and how he criticized the defeat of Russia in this competition. Although the Central Asian peoples did not want nor Russia neither The British, but the latter had more chance to win, because -among several causes. the Turkish peoples of Central Asia heard about the Russian policy and approach to the subordinated vassals, thus they were not likely to became such; and because the highest socio-cultural development of the British Empire, which made it promising.