assimilate land

[pars]

Dear everybody:
What is the exact meaning of the words in bold in the following passage? It is from the book Iranian-Russian Encounters, p. 105.

By 1914, through the advantages previously given to them in 1889 by having a boundary commissioner in Astarabad, the Russians were able, particularly from 1911, to assimilate and purchase large areas of land in the region of the town.


Thanks very much.

 

[teechar]

assimilate and purchase large areas of land in the region of the town.

integrate with and become a part of the local population
buy large areas of land in and around that town

 

[Rover_KE]

It is from the book Iranian-Russian Encounters, p. 105, Edited by Stephanie Cronin.

If you don't know the author, please give the name of the editor.

 

[Tdol]

Given that a boundary commissioner is involved, then assimilation would involve fully absorbing it into their territory.

 

[probus]

Asterabad is at the southeastern corner of the Caspian in modern-day Iran but just south of Turkmenistan. I believe that at the time Britain had established a protectorate in that area, so that's who appointed the boundary commission. Would it be too political to say that they were playing God with the locals? I think not -- imperialism was part of the contemporary political ethos.

 

[Tdol]

As a Brit, I have to confess that it wouldn't be the first time- the Durand line, the disputed border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, etc. And in the US, Mason and Dixon were British. :-?