According to historical sources, the Emir of Bukhara, Sayyid Olimkhan, spent the last years of his life suffering from serious illnesses, in particular, blindness. This was also reported in an article published on the website "Xabar.uz". After the article was published, several historical scholars commented that Emir Olimkhan did indeed have a personal doctor.
According to Shavkat Bobojonov, associate professor of history at Tashkent State Pedagogical University, doctor of philosophy in historical sciences, the main personal doctor of the Emir was a woman of Russian nationality - Rakitskaya.
Medical service 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 emir. Along with the emir's daily routine, hours of prayer, knowledge and recitation, great attention was paid to his health. This work was supervised by experienced and deeply knowledgeable people in medical science.
One of the most famous among the palace doctors was Hakimcha. In addition, a doctor named Mullo Kurban was also famous in Bukhara.
Among the personal doctors of the ninth emir of the Mangid dynasty, Abdulahadkhan, was Rakitskaya, a Russian national. She was a gift to the emir Alimkhan by the Russian emperor. According to archival data, she came to Bukhara in 1898-1899 and was the most beautiful dancer of the St. Petersburg Palace Theater.
Rakitskaya – “Doctor Shah” or “Doctor”
In Bukhara, she was known among Tajiks as “Doctor Sho” and among Russians as “Doctor Shah” or “Doctor”. According to Sadriddin Aini’s “Memoirs”, Rakitskaya looked 30-35 years old, although she was around 50 years old, due to her makeup.
She bought a house in the Gavkushan guzar and renovated it in a European style. However, she did not receive patients in her own house - only the rich and officials invited her to their homes and treated her.
Rakitskaya and medical work in Bukhara
In 1901, she began working at the Russian-dominated hospital in Bukhara, and in 1903 she became head of its women’s department, where she worked for 9 years. In 1912, she was dismissed from her position as head of the hospital for serving only the wealthy.
At the same time, she became a popular 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 position in the emir's horde.
Amir Abdulahadkhan trusted her deeply and protected her as his personal physician. Even when there were complaints that her medical services were unsatisfactory, the emir protected her.
Consequences and death
Rakitskaya was hated by the people for her indifference to ordinary patients.
In March 1918, during the Kolesov events, she intended to flee to the palace of Mokhi Khossa, where Amir Alimkhan lived, but on the way she and her friend Jora the caravan boy were killed by local residents.
At the same time, according to archival data, Rakitskaya did not live in Bukhara until 1930.
According to historical documents, she became a victim of public anger because she treated the rich, but did not help the poor.
Rakitskaya was one of the personal doctors who served under two emirs, Abdulahadkhan and Sayyid Alimkhan. She felt herself in a high position, but earned the hatred of the people because of her indifference to the masses.
There is also no clear evidence that she was a member of the dancers in the emir's harem.
However, it is true that she became a famous person in Bukhara, was protected by the emirs, and gained authority among the wealthy population.
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