The Khanate of Kokand

Fergana became separate from Bukhara in the early 18th century under conditions of political instability in Ashtarkhanid Khanate. There was founded an independent state with the center in Kokand, where firstly came to power hodzhas, and then khan dynasty Ming. Khanate included the territories of Namangan, Kokand, Andijan and Margilan regions. Shahrukhbiy from Uzbek tribe Ming was proclaimed as the first ruler of the Khanate. In the 1721-1722 years Shahrukh was killed as a result of strife between emirs. His son Abdurahimbiy (1721-1733) became his successor. He joined Khanate Andijan and Khojand, and also Samarkand, Kattakurgan, Dzhizak, the regions belonged to Bukhara Khanate at that time. Osh was conquered by Khanate during the period of his brother Abdukarimbiy’s ruling (1733-1748). Following twenty years were marked by frequent changes of rulers. In 1770 Narbuta (1770-1800) was proclaimed as a ruler by Kokand nobility. He has succeeded to stifle rebellion of Chust, Khodjant and Namangan rulers. Narbutabiy send troops to Tashkent, but failed to conquer the city. Under Narbutabiy in the Khanate reigned relative political stability that positively affected to economic development. The irrigation system was expanded and many new madrassas were built, including Mir madrasa. Narbuta succeeded by his son Alimbek (1800-1809), under whom the political importance of Kokand has risen significantly. The state was officially declared as the Khanate of Kokand in 1805 and Alimbek was given the title of «Khan». He created a mercenary army, made up of mountain Tajiks, which became his mainstay in the struggle to centralize power. Alimkhan subordinated Tashkent and Fergana, made a number of military campaigns on Uratyuba. As a result of a plot he was killed and his brother Omarkhan (1809-1822) came to throne. He signed a treaty with Bukharian emir Haydar and joined to the Khanate Kazakh land up to the Syrdarya River mouth. Omarkhan built Akmachit fortress at the crossroads of the Tashkent, Bukhara and Khiva roads. Omarkhan had the title of «Faithful lord» - «Amir ul-Muslimin», minted coins in his name. Under him the administrative system of Bukhara Khanate was taken as administrative system of the Khanate. Omarkhan’s successor was his 12 - year-old son Muhammad Alikhan (Madalihan) (1822-1842). He was young, and his mother prominent poetess Nodirabegim ruled the state in his youth years, who made significant contribution to the development of culture and art in Kokand.

Madalikhan made a number of successful campaigns to East Turkistan and Kashgar to subordinate Tadjiks who lived in the mountainous areas of Alay ridge. During his reign an advanced irrigational system was established in the Khanate, and the foreign trade communications have strengthened. Flatterers called him «gazi» (The Fighter for Belief), however the clergy determined him as an apostate. Khan’s opponents sent their complaint to Emir of Bukhara Nasrulla. In 1840 Emir send his ambassador to Kokand with Fetva, in which Madalikhan admitted as «Kafir» (Infidel). Having failed in the battle with armies of Emir Nasrulla, Madalikhan recognized himself as the Vassal of Bukhara and was compelled to concede Hodjent. But, after that, relations between Bukhara and Kokand continued worsening. As a result, in 1841 Muhammad Alikhan refused the throne for the benefit of his brother Sultan Mahmudkhan. Then, in 1842 emir Nasrulla hold Kokand once again. By Emir’sorder Madalikhan, his brother Sultan Mahmudhan and his mother Nodirabegim, and also a number of high-ranking officials were executed. Under decree of Nasrulla his deputy began to rule in Khanate that imposed heavy tax burden on people. As a result, in summer of 1842 in the Khanate began a rebellion, during which all supporters of Emir were killed, and the nephew of Norbutabij - Sherali was put forward as Khan. Emir of Bukhara Nasrulla held Kokand again. But after 40 days, after having been informed that the Khan of Khiva Ollokulihon invaded to the territory of Emirate he had to raise the siege and returned back.

Under Sheralihan (1842-1845) Musulmankul (from Kipchak tribe), who help him to come to power, was appointed as Mingbashi (the commander of forces). Musulmankul, in his turn, filled the majority of fighting corpuses with his fellow tribesmen. Having the influence among soldiers, he tried to exert influence on ruler, but Sheralikhan did not allow it.

Not having achieved his purpose, in 1845 Musulmankul organized an attempt at Khan when the Khan was on the way to Osh to suppress the rebellion that had flashed because of a discontent for imposed taxes. After the assassination of Sheralihan, Alimkhan`s son - Murad sat on the throne. In order to keep his position, he had to recognize himself as the vassal of the Emir of Bukhara. Then Musulmonkul eliminated him and put on the throne Sheralikhan’s son – Hudoyor marrying him to his daughter.

Making use of Khan’s adolescence, Musulmankul actually gathered all power in his hands. In particular, he distributed the majority of high-ranking posts to the representatives of kipchaks. Because of it, the discontent was increased in Kokand and Musulmankul was discharged off his post.

Having decided to return his influence, Musulmankul secretly tried to establish contact with V.V.Velyaminov-Zernov, the representative of Russian army command forces. In order to get rid of kipchaks, Kokand nobility tried to win over Hudoyorkhan. In 1853 began mass kipchak slaughter in Kokand, and Musulmonkul was taken in captivity and then executed.

But internal struggle for the throne did not stop. The people once assisted Hudoyorkhan to eliminate Musulmankul, joined in a conspiracy against him. Those were unsuccessful attempts. From 1852 to 1865 on the throne came several governors. In 1865 Kipchaks and Kyrgyzs declared Hudoykulbek as Khan of Kokand, who ruled the country only 14 days and run away to Kashgar with all treasury. As a result, Hudoyorhan occupied the throne of Kokand without difficulties.

Making use of internal political instability,Russia started active military operations against Khanate. As a result from 1853 to 1865 Russian army forces occupied the cities of the Khanate of Kokand - Okmasjid, Takmak, Pishpek (current Bishkek) Avliyoota, Turkistan, Chimkent and Tashkent with joining to them territories. On July 14, 1867 Emperor Alexander II founded Turkistan general – governorship that included the seized territory in Central Asia.

The territory of Kokand Khanate was noticeably reduced as a result of the Russian military expansion, which became the reason of reduction tax revenues to state treasury. In order to refill the treasury Khan increased tax burden. That decision raised public discontent, and in 1871 in Sokh began a revolt that has turned to long-term armed mutiny, and this went down in history as «Pulatkhan Revolt». Russian armies suppressed the revolt, and Pulatkhan was taken in prison and executed in March 1876 in Margilan. In the same year with Emperor’s decision the Khanate of Kokand was officially liquidated and Fergana region of the Turkestan general – governorshipwas formed in its territory.