THE EMERGENCE OF NATIONAL IDENTITY IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION

The countries of central Asia namely Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and the Caucasian Republic of Azerbaijan formed a part of the Soviet Union till its disintegration in 1991. However, they have been separate countries and nations thereafter until now. This paper seeks to examine the emergence of national consciences in the above-mentioned soviet republics. After their Secession from the Soviet Union. All the above-mentioned countries, with the exception of Tajikistan, speak Turkey Languages, which are mutually intelligible to different degrees. Consequently, they form a cultural and linguistic bond with each other which Turkey (Turkiye) tried to exploit to promote her influence in the region in the early days of the disintegration of the Soviet Union, by promoting pan Turanism. Tajik Language, being keen to Persian has substantially influenced all the above-mentioned turkeyik languages. As a result, Iran also showed its expansionist intention in the region. China is very active in Central Asia, cultivating friendly relations with the above-mentioned former soviet republics by launching projects of regional cooperation such as the “Tapi Pipeline Project”. This region has rich deposits of petroleum and natural gas consequently many American and European Countries Have opened their branches in these countries. Again, the citizens of these countries being Muslims, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other west Asian countries are active here in the spread of rightist ideas.