FROM THE KOKAND FORTRESS TO THE CITY OF FRUNZE
KOKAND FORTRESS
In the second quarter of the 19th century, the colonization of Northern Kyrgyzstan began by the Kokand khan. The advance was made in two directions — from Tashkent through Chimkent, Auliye-Ata into the Chui Valley, and from the Fergana Valley over the Kugart Pass into the Toguz-Toro Valley, reaching At-Bashi, Naryn, Kochkor to the shores of Issyk-Kul. Between 1825 and 1830, the Chui Valley was captured by the troops of the Kokand khan Madali. The residents of the valley — the Chui Kyrgyz were subjected to taxation.
After conquering the Chui Valley, the Kokand forces built a number of fortifications, including Merke, Chaldovar, Kara-Balta, Ak-Suu, Pishpek, and Tokmak. Garrison troops were stationed in the fortresses, using armed force to maintain the khan's dominance. Kokand governors, who had unlimited power over the Kyrgyz population, were also present. Attempts by the Kyrgyz to free themselves from Kokand oppression were brutally suppressed.
The fortresses served not only as centers of administrative-political governance but also as trading hubs. People from the khanate began to settle around them. Trade and crafts developed, fields were cultivated, and orchards were planted.
Historical facts indicate that in many cases, fortresses became the basis for the development of urban settlements. In this regard, the Pishpek fortress is no exception. Although archaeological finds in the area of modern Frunze indicate the existence of a settlement in ancient times, the Pishpek fortress marked the beginning of the continuous development of the city.
What did the Pishpek fortress look like?
The fortress occupied an area of about 6 hectares and consisted of a circular earthen rampart, behind which rose the citadels.
It was shaped like a quadrilateral. The lengths of the sides exceeded 200 meters. The outer walls (7 meters high and up to 8 meters at the base) were surrounded by a wide moat filled with water. The clay walls were reinforced with bastion towers, loopholes, and embrasures. Inside the fortress were barracks, a well, a mosque, a market, a prison, storage facilities, and other structures. The commandant of the fortress also lived here. The entrance to the fortification was located on the northwest side.
In connection with repeated appeals from the Kyrgyz to the Russian government for protection against the Kokand forces, the Russian authorities decided to eliminate the influence of the Kokand khan, and for this, it was necessary to seize the fortresses of Tokmak and Pishpek. In late August 1860, Colonel Zimmerman with a troop of soldiers occupied the fortress of Tokmak, and in early September, the fortress of Pishpek. The fortifications were destroyed. As noted by one of the pre-revolutionary researchers, General M. A. Terentyev: “The walls of Pishpek were extremely strong and thick... therefore, the work of demolishing them was very difficult: for 7 days, 600 people were sent to work; 217 poods of gunpowder were used for explosions.” However, in 1861, the Kokand forces reoccupied and restored them.
In 1862, the Chui Kyrgyz who had risen up appealed to the head of the Alatav district for help, and the Russian government responded favorably. Troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel G. A. Kolpakovsky set out from Verny (Alma-Ata). On October 24, 1862, Russian troops, along with the rebel Kyrgyz, captured the fortress of Pishpek after a ten-day assault and destroyed it again.
In 1864, a Russian military post was established near the ruins of the fortress by Lieutenant Colonel M. G. Chernyaev. The dominance of the Kokand khanate in the Chui Valley came to an end.
Losev D. S., Kochkunov A. S. What the Streets Tell.
Fortress Pishpek
Participants in the military actions during the capture of the Pishpek fortress from 1860 to 1864..
