American Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences ISSN (E): 2832-8019 Volume 39, | August - 2025 P a g e | 51 www.americanjournal.org THE CAUSES AND FACTORS OF THE CRISIS AND OCCUPATION OF THE KOKAND KHANATE Sharifov Ehronbek Erkin oglu Scientist of the Educational Methodological Department of Termez State University ehronbek@tersu.uz https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1409-6496 A B S T R A C T K E Y W O R D S This article explores the political instability and internal conflicts that led to the decline and eventual occupation of the Kokand Khanate by the Russian Empire in the 19th century. The text highlights a series of internal power struggles and assassinations following the death of Alimkhan in 1810, which created a volatile environment. Subsequent rulers, including Umarkhan, Muhammad Alikhan, and Sheralikhan, made attempts to consolidate power and expand the khanate's territory, yet their reigns were plagued by court intrigues and rebellions. The article details the devastating impact of these conflicts, particularly the intervention of the Bukhara Emirate and the rise of the Kipchak aristocracy under figures like Musulmonqul. This internal chaos significantly weakened the khanate, leaving it vulnerable to the expanding Russian Empire. The text concludes by describing the final Russian advance, the suppression of popular uprisings such as the Po'latkhan Rebellion, and the ultimate annexation of the territory, which was transformed into the Fergana. Kokand Khanate, Russian Occupation, Internal Conflict, Political Instability, Alimkhan, Umarkhan, Muhammad Alikhan, Fergana. Introduction The Kokand Khanate, a significant state in Central Asia during the 19th century, was a theater of intense political intrigue, dynastic conflicts, and external pressures that ultimately led to its demise. This article delves into the complex web of internal strife, including power struggles between various factions and assassinations of key rulers, that critically weakened the khanate from within. As the state became increasingly unstable, it also had to contend with the growing expansionist ambitions of the Russian Empire. The combination of these internal fragilities and external threats created a perfect storm, paving the way for the Russian conquest and the end of an independent Central Asian state. This analysis will examine the major events and key figures, from Alimkhan to the Po'latkhan Rebellion, to explain the root causes of the crisis and the final occupation of the Kokand Khanate. Literature Review and Methods The historical analysis of the Kokand Khanate's decline and occupation is a well-researched topic in Central Asian historiography. The provided text draws upon a variety of primary and secondary American Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences Volume 39 August - 2025 P a g e | 52 www.americanjournal.org sources to construct its narrative. Key sources cited, such as Haydarbek Bobobekov's Qo'qon tarixi and Ibrat's Farg'ona tarixi, serve as foundational works, offering detailed accounts of political events, dynastic successions, and social tensions within the khanate. The inclusion of Sharif Yusupov's article and other Russian-language works from authors like M.A. Dandamayev and I.V. Pyankov indicates an effort to integrate different perspectives, from Uzbek national historical accounts to broader studies on the region. The footnotes suggest a reliance on specific historical facts and figures derived from these texts, including the dates of key battles, the reigns of khans, and the details of internal rebellions. This body of literature collectively establishes a comprehensive timeline of the khanate's internal decay and the external pressures that culminated in its collapse. The methodology employed in this historical analysis is primarily qualitative and descriptive. The author uses a chronological approach to trace the sequence of events from the early 19th-century political reforms under Alimkhan to the final annexation by Russia in 1876. The research relies on historical synthesis, where information from various sources is combined to create a cohesive narrative. The author describes key historical moments, such as the assassination of Alimkhan, the rise of the Kipchak faction under Musulmonqul, and the Po'latkhan Rebellion, to illustrate the underlying causes of the crisis. By focusing on the actions of key figures and the political dynamics between the Kokand Khanate, the Bukhara Emirate, and the Russian Empire, the analysis aims to explain how internal weaknesses were exploited by external powers. The method is explanatory, providing context for the crisis and occupation by highlighting the interconnected roles of internal strife and external aggression. Results and Discussions During the reign of Olimbek, the son of Norbotabiy, the political position of Kokand was strengthened, military reforms were carried out, the Ahangaran oasis, Tashkent, Shymkent and Sayram were subjugated, and foreign trade was intensified. In 1805, the state was officially declared the Kokand Khanate, and Olimbek received the title of "Khan". Alimkhan's efforts to build a strong centralized state have sparked protests among some high-ranking aristocrats. As a result, they took advantage of Alimkhan's travels to spread rumors in Kokand in 1810 that "Olimkhan died in Tashkent" and crowned his brother Umarbek[1]. When Olimkhan found out about it, he went to Kokand, but he was shot dead in Altikush district. During the reign of Umarkhan, measures were taken to strengthen and expand the khanate's power. In 1815 Turkestan of the Bukhara Khanate was conquered, and in 1817 Uratepa. A number of military fortifications were built along the Syrdarya; attention was paid to the expansion of irrigation facilities, the digging of canals, and the construction of mosques and madrassas. In particular, mosques and madrasas were built in Kokand, Tashkent, Turkestan, Shymkent, Sayram, Awliyota (now Jambul). The tombs are arranged. During the reign of Umarkhan, science, literature and art flourished in the Kokand khanate[2]. His beloved wife, the famous Uzbek poetess Nodirabegim, played an important role in this. Umarkhan himself wrote ghazals in Uzbek and Tajik under the pseudonym "Amir". After Umarkhan's death, his 12-year-old son Muhammad Alikhan ascended the throne. As the khan was young, the state was initially ruled by his mother, Nodi-rabegim. Nodirabegim strives to develop culture and art. In 1826, an army was mobilized in East Turkestan to help the Muslim population revolt against the Chinese. As a result, the Chinese government was forced to transfer the right to collect taxes from six cities in East Turkestan (Aksu, Kashgar, Yorkend, Khotan, etc.) to the Kokand Khanate. Muhammad American Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences Volume 39 August - 2025 P a g e | 53 www.americanjournal.org Alikhan sought to expand the territory of the khanate, and Jan. Olay conquered the principalities of Qoratagin, Dar-voz, Shugnan, Rushan and Vohon at the foot of the mountain. During this period, the khanate was well irrigated. The Khanarik canal was dug near Tashkent[3]. Foreign economic and trade relations have also significantly improved. In the war with the Emir of Bukhara Nasrullo (see Nasrullah) (1840), Muhammad Alikhan was defeated and was forced to hand over Khojand to Amir Nasrullo and recognize himself as his deputy. However, Bukhara-Kokand relations continued to deteriorate. As a result, the year 1841 was unique. Muhammad Alikhan abdicated in favor of his brother Sultan Mahmud. Upon learning of this, Amir Nasrullo invaded Kokand and looted it. During this massacre, he executed Muhammad Ali, his brother Sultan Mahmud Khan, his mother Nodirabegim and other high-ranking officials. By the decree of the Amir, the Kokand khanate was ruled by the deputy of Bukhara. Amir's deputy imposes heavy taxes on the population of Kokand khanate. As a result, in the summer of 1842, the Cossacks revolted, killed many of those loyal to Amir Nasrullah, and installed Sherali, the son of Hojibek, Norbotabi's brother, as khan. Upon hearing this, the Emir of Bukhara sent troops to Kokand and besieged it to re-establish his rule. However, on the fortieth day of the siege, the khan of Khiva was forced to retreat when he heard the news of Allakulikhan's attack on Bukhara. As a result, many lost territories (Khojand, Tashkent) remained under the control of the Kokand Khanate. During the reign of Sheralikhan (1842–1845), he was appointed a Muslim commander from among the Kipchaks who were helpers and benefactors. The Muslims were mainly engaged in military affairs, and the khan's army was replenished with more Kipchak men. The Muslim used his position to influence Sheralikhan. But the khan tries not to allow it. The Muslim was dissatisfied with the khan and tried to assassinate him at the hands of others. In 1845 a revolt against the khan's tax policy began in Osh. When the Muslim went to quell the uprising, his accomplices invited Murodbek, Alimkhan's son, to Kokand and installed him on the throne. Sheralikhan was killed. In order to retain the throne, Muradkhan had to recognize himself as the deputy of the Emir of Bukhara. He ordered the Muslim slave to remain commander-in-chief and demanded that he return to Kokand. The Muslim came from Osh to Namangan and married his daughter to Khudoyor, the son of Sheralikhan[4]. Taking advantage of the Muslim khan's youth, he ruled the khanate almost independently, and senior positions were given to the Kipchaks. As a result, anti-Muslim protests intensified in the khanate and he was removed from command. In an attempt to re-establish his position, the Muslim sought to establish contact with the Russians, and in the spring of 1853 he secretly met with a Russian representative, VV Velyaminov- Zernov. Upon learning that the Muslim had met with a representative of the Russian commander and sought to seize power, the Uzbek and Kyrgyz aristocrats (Muhammad Niyaz Qushbegi, Muhammad Rajab Korboshi, Muhammad Yakubbek Qushbegi, etc.) set out to find a way to get rid of the Kipchaks. A Muslim slave was captured and executed. However, the struggle for the throne in the Kokand khanate did not stop, and the above military officials plotted against Khudoyorkhan, but he failed (see Yaqubbek). In a short period of time, the khans changed several times (in 1852–62, Sheralikhan's son Mallakhon, in 1862–63, Shahmu-rodkhan, in May-June 1863, Khudoyorkhan again, in July 1863, 1865, Mallakhan's son Sultan Sayidkhan became khan). In 1865, in Kokand, the Kipchaks and Kyrgyz solemnly proclaimed Khudoykulbek khan. He ruled for only 14 days, then fled to Kashgar with all the treasures and valuables. Khudoyorkhan recaptured the throne of Kokand without any resistance (1865-75). Taking advantage of such an unstable internal situation, Russia launched an offensive against the Kokand Khanate. As a result, during 1853-65 he American Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences Volume 39 August - 2025 P a g e | 54 www.americanjournal.org conquered Oqmachit, Tokmak, Pishpak, Avliyota, Turkestan, Shymkent, Tashkent and their environs. On July 14, 1867, Emperor Alexander II established the Turkestan Military District and established the Governor-General of Turkestan from the occupied territories of Central Asia[5,6,7,8]. Due to the invasion of Tsarism, the borders of the Kokand Khanate were significantly reduced. Revenues to the treasury fell sharply. The khan introduced new taxes to replenish the treasury. The people were dissatisfied with this and in 1871 a revolt broke out in Sokh. The uprising turned into an armed uprising. It is the longest-running Polatkhan uprising in Central Asian history. Russian troops defeated the rebels and Polatkhan was taken prisoner. He was hanged on March 1, 1876 in the city of Margilan. The Tsarist armies conquered the Kokand Khanate, officially abolished the khanate and established the Fergana region in its place. Conclusion In summary, the fall of the Kokand Khanate was not a singular event but the culmination of deep- seated internal conflicts and overwhelming external pressure. The frequent assassinations, coups, and power struggles among the ruling elite and the influential Kipchak aristocracy severely destabilized the state, leaving it vulnerable. This political turmoil was compounded by economic crises and widespread popular discontent, which led to significant uprisings like the Po'latkhan Rebellion. While the khans made various attempts to strengthen the state, their efforts were consistently undermined by rival factions and the expanding influence of the Bukhara Emirate. Ultimately, the khanate’s internal weaknesses provided a clear opportunity for the Russian Empire, which systematically conquered its territories until only a fragmented state remained. The final act of its dissolution in 1876 and its transformation into the Fergana Oblast serves as a powerful historical example of how internal disunity, when faced with a formidable external threat, can lead to the complete loss of sovereignty. References: 1. Bobobekov Haydarbek. Qo’qon tarixi. – T.: “Fan”, 1996. 20-21 betlar. 2. Sharif Yusupov. Buni umr derlar… “Jamiyat va boshqaruv”. 2002-yil, 1-son. 18-25 betlar. 3. Haydarbek Bobobekov. Qo’qon tarixi. – T.: “Fan”, 1996. 268-bet. 4. Ibrat. “Farg’ona tarixi”. Meros. – T.: “Kamalak”, 1991-yil. 287-bet. 5. Дандамаев М.А. Луконин В.Г. Культура и экономика древнего Ирана. - М., 1980. - 389 с. 6. Пьянков И.В. Средняя Азия в известиях античного историка Ктесия. – Душанбе, 1975. –78 с. 7. Диодор. Историческая библиотека. Кн. 17. II, 2-7/пар. М.Е. Сергеенко / Арриан. Поход Александра. - М.-Л., 1962. 8. Дьяконов И.М. Ассиро-вавилонские источники по истории Урарту //. ВДИ. - М., 1951. - № 2. - С.335-336..