This photograph of Tajiks at prayer in the mosque of Sheik Maslakhatdin in the ancient city of Khodzhent (Khujand, in Tajik) is from Turkestan Album, one of the richest sources of visual information on the cultural monuments of Central Asia as they appeared in the 19th century. This multi-volume work was produced in 1871-72, under the patronage of Konstantin P. von Kaufman, a Russian army general and the first governor-general of Turkestan, as the Russian Empire's Central Asian holdings were called. Kaufman held that position from 1867 to 1886, during which time he played a major role in establishing Russia's dominant position in Central Asia. The forces of conquest were followed by administrators and entrepreneurs, as well as scholars interested in documenting the region's cultural heritage. Khodzhent, whose origins have been attributed to Alexander the Great, was part of the Khanate of Kokand and is located near the Syr Darya River. The Tajiks are related by both culture and language to the Iranian peoples. The interior shown here is typical of mosque design in Central Asia, with a richly ornamented ceiling and rows of carved wooden columns resting on marble pedestals. In the background is the prayer niche (mihrab), decorated with ceramic tiles.