Khiva

In the 19th century, Khiva was the seat of a Muslim Khanate, and so an important cultural center of the time. For me, this site is even more interesting as a middle point between the Russian Empire and the British Empire (in India). Because if it’s strategic location, British and Russian secret superspies would often visit Khiva disguised as anything from Hindu holy men to French Doctors to Tartar Merchants, with the primary aim of recording military intelligence and making vital cultural observations, all under the constant threat of being found out and executed by the ruthless Khivan Khans.