Local news / History

How a Private Fund is Returning Forgotten Symbols to Kyrgyzstan: The Story of "Kalybai Heritage"

According to information published in Forbes Kazakhstan, the "Kalybai Heritage" fund was established with the aim of reviving the lost cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan. Currently, the fund is actively working on the restoration of the "Ak-Suu" water plant and the planetarium, transforming these sites into cultural centers funded exclusively by private means—without attracting donations or political influences.

31.10.2025, 11:07

Local news / The struggle for the independence of the Kyrgyz / Exclusive

Life in the Regions: Former Volleyball Player from the Village of Asylbash Aiköl Bakirova Decided to Play Kok-Boru at 14

Ayköl Bakirova from the village of Asylbash, Sokuluk district of Chui region, has been passionate about horseback riding since her early years. She first got into the saddle at the age of six, and for the past two years, she has been actively participating in the national game of kok-boru.

30.10.2025, 17:26

Economy / Kyrgyzstan during the Soviet period

Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan agreed to cooperate in construction

The meeting of the intergovernmental council of the CIS has concluded in Tashkent, where Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan discussed issues of cooperation in the construction sector. The event was attended by the Minister of Architecture, Construction, and Housing and Communal Services of the Kyrgyz Republic, Nurdin Oruntaev. According to information from the ministry's press service, the discussion covered the exchange of experience and the implementation of joint projects in the

30.10.2025, 11:58

Kyrgyzstan during the Soviet period

Kyrgyzstan: Personnel Changes from October 20 to 24

Over the past week, several changes have occurred in the personnel composition in Kyrgyzstan. Nurbek Akzholov has been appointed Deputy Minister of Finance. Since 2009, Nurbek Akzholov has been working in the Ministry of Finance, and during his service, he has progressed from a specialist to the head of the department responsible for international financial relations.

25.10.2025, 10:08

Kurmanjan Datka

The Journey of Carl Mannerheim in Central Asia

During the trip, Mannerheim attempted to learn Chinese and Kyrgyz. The ability of this man to document the dialects of little-known peoples is remarkable. For example, in 1911, he published a substantial article based on notes about two Turkic-Mongolian peoples. It contains numerous examples of the vocabulary used by the local inhabitants. As a result of the publication of this work, the researcher is mentioned in the history of the study of Alay as one of the pioneers in this field. In

07.05.2024, 23:34

Shabdan Baatyr

Report of the Chief of the Pishpek District to the Semirechensk Regional Administration on the Place and Role of Shabdan Jantaev Among the Kara-Kyrgyz. Part - 2

Part - 2 Having thus clarified the essence and origin of the influence that Shabdan Zhantayev exerts on the people, I add that this influence is by no means beneficial in administrative matters, although I do not see any direct harm in this influence. Sometimes, directives on private matters come from him that are not in line with the administration's directives, but such directives, as soon as they become known, are halted. Under him, the positions of the volost manager and the legal

06.05.2024, 10:08

Kyrgyzstan in the 1920s

The Struggle of the Bolsheviks Against the SRs and Mensheviks for the Establishment of Soviet Power in Kyrgyzstan

The Soviets became local authorities that primarily influenced representatives of the European diaspora. Muslims sought their protection in national organizations such as "Bukhara," Muslim committees, "Ittifaq," "Alash," etc.

05.05.2024, 14:02

Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War

The Work of the Kyrgyz SSR on the Development of Public Animal Husbandry During the Great Patriotic War

Animal Husbandry The main direction in the multi-sector agricultural production of Kyrgyzstan was the intensive development of public animal husbandry. The share of sectors and crops in the agriculture of the republic on the eve of the Great Patriotic War (1940) was characterized by the following figures (in %):

03.05.2024, 20:05

1937 in Kyrgyzstan

Karakol Communist Khojahon Shorukov

In those years, the ideological processing of the public and the escalation of mass psychosis in the republic were fueled by "exposé" articles in the central printed organ of the party — "Pravda". Many, very many, had their fates broken and lives shortened by these articles. Here is a list of articles from the newspaper "Pravda" for the second half of 1937, after each of which a wave of repressions followed: on August 31, Kyrgyz correspondent of "Pravda"

30.04.2024, 20:38

Shabdan Baatyr

Report of the Chief of the Pishpek District to the Semirechye Regional Administration on the Place and Role of Shabdan Jantayev among the Kara-Kirgiz. Part - 1

Part - 1 City of Pishpek March 18, 1896

29.04.2024, 10:01

Kurmanjan Datka

Collection of Ethnographic Materials by K.G. Mannerheim

In the extensive diary of the baron, we encounter numerous admiring reviews of the majestic landscapes of the Tian Shan, Alai, and Himalayas. Whenever possible, he would always set off to hunt mountain goats, antelopes, and birds to supplement his monotonous and meager diet - his notebook contains the names of several recommended English guides for hunting wild animals. Since the official reason for Mannerheim's expedition was ethnographic research (and not military interests), he sent

30.03.2024, 14:06

Kyrgyzstan in the 1920s

The Whirlwind of Revolutionary Events in Kyrgyzstan

The hastily assembled Soviet government clearly lacked people who were not just revolutionaries, but primarily capable of certain practical tasks. The power held on thanks to numerous promises, widespread confusion, and support from armed soldiers, sailors, workers, and internationalists. In Kyrgyzstan, however, the "new power," as usual, ended beyond the county centers and a few coal mines in the south. The revolutionary process here was only progressing with difficulty because

26.03.2024, 18:38

Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War

The Hard Work of Collective Farmers in the Kyrgyz SSR in 1942

Many female field workers have gained fame in the struggle for high yields of technical crops. In the Kyzyl-Asker collective farm of the Sokuluk district, the team led by K. Shopokova, the wife of the hero of Panfilov, Duyshenkul Shopokov, harvested 684 centners of beets per hectare in 1942, instead of the planned 210 centners, and on her personally assigned plot, the leading beet grower collected 700 centners of this valuable technical crop.

26.03.2024, 12:12

1937 in Kyrgyzstan

First Secretary of the Kyrgyz Regional Committee of the VKP(b) - Belotsky Moris Lvovich

The study of the past is good in that one can move freely through time — jumping forward and backward, which is convenient for a stereoscopic perception of life; otherwise, one cannot understand either the pathos of revolutionary transformations or the tragic end of figures about whom we knew almost nothing just recently, and now there is an imperative need to know everything about them. But even now we know too little, as the main archives and investigative files are hidden, in which

06.03.2024, 18:55

Shabdan Baatyr

Agenda for the Senior Officer Shabdan Djantaev

SUMMONS TO SENIOR SERGEANT SHABDAN DJANTAEV TO SEND THE ONE HUNDRED RUBLES DONATED BY HIM ON THE SUBSCRIPTION LIST FOR THE ERECTION OF A MONUMENT TO EMPEROR ALEXANDER III IN MOSCOW January 18, 1895

03.03.2024, 10:30

Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War

"Working on the Frontline" — All-Union Socialist Competition in 1942 in the Kyrgyz SSR

The party, Soviet, land authorities, and leaders of collective and state farms did everything possible to organize the harvest of 1942 in a timely manner and without losses. During the harvest season, 980 combines worked in the fields. The production leaders demonstrated exemplary selfless labor. The first to fulfill the harvesting plan in Kyrgyzstan by July 20, 1942, was combine operator Yaushev from the Kholmion MTS of the Osh region. He harvested 300 hectares and saved a significant amount

24.02.2024, 16:45

1937 in Kyrgyzstan

The Sentence and Rehabilitation of E. D. Polivanov

In August, a new wave of purges took place at the Institute: X. Karasaev, who was working on the Kyrgyz-Russian dictionary, was dismissed as an accomplice of the exposed counter-revolutionary nationalist Tynystanov, Yan-Shan-Sin was relieved from production work, and soon the Turkologist I. Batmanov was also removed from his position. Y. D. Polivanov was taken to Tashkent. Here, on April 25, 1938, a traveling session of the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the USSR sentenced him to

20.02.2024, 19:04

Shabdan Baatyr

Report of the Chief of the Pishpek District Talizin to the Semirechye Military Governor

City of Pishpek November 10, 1894. Herewith I am returning three petitions entrusted by the community of yurts owners No. 2, 4, and 5 of the Atekinskaya volost, from Alike Alymbekov, Burambay Sasykov, Sultan Dalbaev, and Kolpay Tolpashev, complaining about the irregularity of the elections of officials in the volost and petitioning for the reallocation of 53 yurt owners to the Sarbagishevskaya volost. I have the honor to report to Your Excellency that I could not refuse the 53 yurt owners, led

15.02.2024, 13:38

Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War

Changes in the Structure of Sown Areas in Kyrgyzstan in 1942

Thanks to the selfless labor of collective farm workers, MTS employees, and state farm workers, the spring sowing campaign of 1942 was conducted successfully: the sowing of grain was completed in 35 working days compared to 50 in 1941, sugar beets in 28 days, and cotton in 23 days. The sowing area for all agricultural crops in 1942 increased by 77.1 thousand hectares in collective farms and by 4.4 thousand hectares in state farms, totaling an increase of 81.5 thousand hectares. In addition,

08.02.2024, 20:54

Kurmanjan Datka

Notes by K.G. Mannerheim on the Life and Customs of the Alai Kyrgyz in the Early 20th Century

Paths of outstanding politicians from different countries often intersect, each playing a key role in the fate of their state. Such meetings, especially when accompanied by fascinating stories, usually do not go unnoticed and leave a significant mark in the memory of descendants. Such a case occurred in the early 20th century in southern Kyrgyzstan. The military traveler, scout, Colonel of the General Staff of the Russian army, and descendant of Swedish aristocrats, Baron von Mannerheim, was

04.02.2024, 16:21

Kyrgyzstan in the 1920s

The Beginning of the Formation of the "Red Terror"

Upon coming to power, Lenin did everything to dismantle the old bourgeois legal system as a relic of capitalist production relations, resulting in unimaginable legal chaos in the country. The situation was exacerbated by the issuance of numerous decrees that were unfeasible under conditions of emergency and military communism. Therefore, the Soviet government made a practical decision—to grant communist judges unlimited freedom of action, basing their decisions on "revolutionary

03.02.2024, 13:11

Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War

Selfless Labor of Kyrgyz Farmers in 1942

The industrial enterprises provided significant assistance in supplying spare parts to the collective farms. For instance, the Osh Regional Executive Committee mandated the "Kyzyl-Kiya" mining administration to produce tractor parts for the Naukat, Ichkilik, and Tuya-Muyun MTS, the Frunze Metallurgical Plant for the Kholmion MTS, the "Sulyukta" mining administration for the Laylak and Beshken MTS, and the silk factory for the Osh and Madyn MTS. However, the production of

02.02.2024, 21:36

Shabdan Baatyr

Instruction to the Military Governor of the Semirechye Region from the Steppe General Governorship

ORDER TO THE MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE SEMIRECHENSKAYA REGION FROM THE STEPPE GENERAL-GOVERNORATE REGARDING THE IRREGULARITIES IN THE ELECTIONS IN THE ATEKINSKAYA VOLOST Omsk, September 1894

31.01.2024, 18:56

1937 in Kyrgyzstan

Arrest of K. Tynystanov and E. D. Polivanov

The scientists did not have the opportunity to participate in expeditions either. On August 1, 1937, both professors were arrested, and three days later, on August 3, 1937, an order was issued by the institute: Ҥ 1. K. Tynystanova, as someone who has not justified the trust and has not provided scientific output to the Institute for several years, is to be dismissed from work as of August 1 of this year.

30.01.2024, 20:00

1937 in Kyrgyzstan

The Works of Professor Polivanov

Despite the heavy pressure, both E. Polivanov and K. Tynystanov are working actively. In the thematic plan of the scientific research works of the Institute for 1936 (otherwise known as the themes on which research was conducted), the following works were listed: — “Outline of the Syntax of the Kyrgyz Language.” — Tynystanov, 1 printed sheet, Kyrgyz language; — “Punctuation of the Kyrgyz Language.” — Tynystanov, 1 printed sheet, Kyrgyz language; — “Materials on the Grammar of the Dungan

23.04.2023, 15:07

Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War

The Work of Political Departments in the Kyrgyz SSR in 1942

In collaboration with the district party committees, relying on the rural activists, the political departments launched mass political and organizational work among the workers aimed at boosting agricultural production, monitored the activities of the MTS (Machine and Tractor Stations) and state farms, and ensured the successful execution of crucial fieldwork and timely resolution of military food supply tasks. The political departments paid great attention to the training of mechanization

21.04.2023, 19:15

Shabdan Baatyr

Investigation into the complaint of residents of Sarbagyshevskaya Volost regarding the oppression by the Janatayevs.

STATEMENT FROM ONE OF THE COMMUNITIES OF KIRGIZS OF THE SARYBAGYSHEVSKAYA VOLOST TO THE MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE SEMIRECHENSKAYA REGION REGARDING THE OPPRESSION BY THE JANATAEV MANAPS AND THE VOLOST ADMINISTRATOR, AND A REQUEST TO ALLOW THE FORMATION OF AN INDEPENDENT VOLOST August 19, 1888

21.04.2023, 18:30

Kurmanjan Datka

How the Alai People Were Saved from Disaster Thanks to the "Queen of Alai"

The ideas and sentiments of the rebels found sympathizers among the Kyrgyz nomads, as evidenced by the relevant testimony provided by contemporary researcher B. Babadzhanov. According to him, one of the close associates of the ishan, Fozil-bik, reported to Dukchi at the end of 1895 - the beginning of 1896 that the Kyrgyz from Eastern Fergana, residents of the village of Ketmon-tipa in Kugart, dissatisfied with the seizure of pastures and lands by Russian settlers, decided at one of their

13.04.2023, 13:37

Kyrgyzstan in the 1920s

The Failure of the First Attempt to Deal with A. Sydykov

As a result of the investigation, a ruling by the revolutionary tribunal was issued, stating that "the interrogated defendants... testified that they never opposed Soviet power and did not hold any secret meetings, and that the charges against them were brought by Khasanov out of personal enmity, and that the accusation is pure lies. Khasanov is trying to tarnish them by any means necessary. The witnesses referred to by Khasanov... (a complete list of witness names followed. — 3. K.)

31.03.2023, 10:52

1937 in Kyrgyzstan

"Receiving the title of Professor by K. T. Tynystanov in 1936"

E. D. Polivanov, in particular, supported the hypothesis of the Yenisei origin of the Kyrgyz, linking this to the absence in Central Asia of another Turkic language specifically close to Kyrgyz. At the same time, the author speaks of the numerous ethnic components of the Kyrgyz nationality—both migratory and local, from the Tian Shan region. The scholar clarifies: “When speaking here (and below) about the linguistic ancestors of the Kyrgyz (whom I assume to be the authors of the Yenisei

23.03.2023, 13:17

Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War

Establishment of Political Departments in State Farms of the Kyrgyz SSR during World War II

The results of 1941 indicate the enormous economic potential of the collective farms and state farms of Kyrgyzstan, as well as their capabilities in further increasing the production of food and raw materials. 1942 proved to be particularly difficult for the country's agriculture. The Soviet Union lost Ukraine, the Don region, Crimea, Kuban, and other key areas for the production of grain and technical crops, as well as livestock. Before the war, these regions were home to 45% of the

23.03.2023, 12:53

Shabdan Baatyr

Service Record of Police Senior Officer Shabdan Djantaev

January 30, 1888. 1. Rank, first name, patronymic, surname, position, age, religion, distinctions, and salary received.

21.03.2023, 16:08

Kurmanjan Datka

The Legend of the Fallen Minaret During the Lifetime of Dukchi Ishan

Much about the appearance of Dukchi and his charisma is conveyed by the so-called legend of the fallen minaret, which was quite popular during the life of the ishan and later recounted in one of his biographies. This concerns the collapsed minaret, built in 1890. A few years later, due to the increasing number of worshippers in the mosque and murids, there arose a need to reconstruct the mosque. The craftsmen decided to dismantle the old minaret made of raw brick and erect a new one from burnt

19.03.2023, 11:19

Kyrgyzstan in the 1920s

How the Political Case Against Abdulkarim Sydykov Was Fabricated

In the statement by X. Khasanov regarding the accused, it was written: "1. Citizen Abdulkarim Sydykov, as everyone knows, previously served in the district administration as a translator and became quite notorious in this position as a lover of easy profit and a extractor of all resources from the Kyrgyz people. Who among them has not had some dealings with the district administration? Being elected as a deputy to the district commissioner by the Provisional Government, he constantly

05.03.2023, 11:50

Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War

Agriculture of Kyrgyzstan at the Service of the Front in 1941

The sudden attack of fascist Germany and the unfavorable development of military actions on the front created enormous difficulties not only in industry but also in the agriculture of the country. The enemy managed to capture the richest agricultural regions: before the war, they produced 38% of the gross grain output, 84% of sugar, accounted for 38% of cattle, and 60% of the pig population. Many able-bodied and skilled workers and collective farmers were mobilized to the front. In addition, a

05.03.2023, 11:16

Shabdan Baatyr

Awards of the Army Senior Sergeant Shabdan Jantaev

Information about the awards received by the Kyrgyz from the Sarybagysh volost, the junior Cossack Elder Shabdan Djantaev: 1) In 1868, awarded an honorary robe of the 1st class. 2) In 1871, awarded an honorary robe of the 2nd class. 3) In 1874, awarded a gold medal on the Stanislav ribbon and an honorary robe of the 1st class. 4) In 1875, awarded an honorary robe of the 1st class. Certificate dated October 24, 1875, No. 142. 5) In 1876, for feats performed during the campaign against the

04.03.2023, 12:33

Kurmanjan Datka

The Ishan from the Min-Tyube Village by the Nickname "Dukchi"

The uprising was led by a certain Magomed Ali Khalif Muhammad-Sabir Ogly - the ishan from the village of Min-Tyube. The nickname Dukchi, under which he entered history, suggests a probable profession of this person. To fully reveal and objectively assess the reasons for the Andijan uprising of 1898, it is necessary to investigate the personality of the immediate leader. To determine whether the Andijan uprising can be interpreted as a religious Sufi, anti-colonial, or national liberation

15.02.2023, 20:38

Kyrgyzstan in the 1920s

"Red Terror" Against A. Sydykov

Two months before the spontaneously begun Belyvodsk uprising, on September 30, 1918, X. Khasanov, who at that time was the commissioner for national affairs of the Pishpek Soviet, as well as a member of the investigative commission and the local revolutionary tribunal, attempted to initiate a case against Abdykerim Sydykov, Satarkul and Sadik Djangarachiev, Seydakhmat Chukin, Asankul Cholponkulov, Akhmed-bek Koybagarov, Dauletbek Kobylyov, Azimbek Sagymbaev, and Sadibakas Jandaev on charges of

31.01.2023, 11:46

1937 in Kyrgyzstan

Discovery in the Archives of Polivanov's Manuscripts on Kyrgyz Linguistics

In the manuscript collections of the Institute of Kyrgyz Language and Literature (the successor of the former Institute of Cultural Construction and the Institute of Language and Writing), only the "Report on the Dungan Linguistic Expedition," written by Polivanov on August 15, 1936, was found. It began as follows: “Only thanks to the valuable qualities of my colleague Comrade Yak-Shan-Sin, whom I sincerely consider an excellent work partner, was the expedition able to accomplish

21.12.2022, 11:07

Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War

The National Economy of the Kyrgyz SSR by Mid-1942

The communication authorities also improved their work. In a record short time—from July to December 1941—a 533-kilometer line was laid, and 54 border rural councils of the republic were connected by telephone; a telegraph and telephone line was constructed Pulgon—Haiderken, and telephone communication was established between the mine and the city of Osh; the construction of the communication line Durbeldzhin—Kazarman was completed; the telephone connection of large evacuated enterprises was

21.12.2022, 10:47

Shabdan Baatyr

Autobiography of Shabdan Jantaev

(From the manuscript of the unpublished book by N.A. Aristov "Western Tien Shan. Ussuni and Kyrgyz or Kara-Kyrgyz". 4.2. - St. Petersburg, 1893.) ... Here, for the convenience of considering the dates of military actions in Fergana, I place the autobiography of the Kara-Kyrgyz of the Sarybagysh clan, military elder Shabdan Jantaev, compiled at my request in 1885, a significant part of which consists of his participation in these military actions; this participation is naively

19.12.2022, 15:01

Kurmanjan Datka

The Andijan Uprising of 1898: The Roots of Popular Anger

The unpredictable and capricious nature for which Kurmandzhan Datka was known astonishingly combined with the sober calculation and wisdom of a far-sighted strategist. This is evidenced by a fact from the biography of the Alai queen, when her warning once saved tens of thousands of her tribesmen from certain death. This refers to an act that prevented many Alai people from participating in the infamous Andijan uprising of 1898. As is known, this mass unrest of separatists engulfed a

14.12.2022, 12:32

Kyrgyzstan in the 1920s

The First Attempt at Political Discrediting of A. Sydykov and the Left Socialist Revolutionary Movement in Turkestan

One episode from the life of A. Sydykov is associated with his membership in the Left Socialist-Revolutionary Party, which could have turned tragic for him. After the suppression of the uprising in Moscow, the Left Socialist-Revolutionary Party was labeled as counter-revolutionary and pro-Kulak. However, despite the fierce anti-SR propaganda and agitation, the task of liquidating this nearly million-member organization was by no means simple. A new pretext was needed to finally discredit the

29.11.2022, 16:48

1937 in Kyrgyzstan

Memories of the Student E. D. Polivanov Yan-Shan-Sin about His Teacher

In the first year of work, it was not possible to go on an expedition. E. D. Polivanov and the young researcher Yusup Yan-Shan-Sin urgently had to engage in compiling a textbook of the Dungan language, while Tynystanov and Abdukaimov worked on the Kyrgyz language. That same year, together with Yasir Shivaza, E. D. Polivanov translated "The Internationale" into the Dungan language and often, as later recalled by the now-folk poet Shivaza, hummed it in Dungan.

14.11.2022, 00:26

Kyrgyzstan during the Great Patriotic War

Railway, Road, and Water Transport of the Kyrgyz SSR in the Early Years of World War II

The various types of transport in the republic that grew during the years of Soviet power—railway, road, and water transport—had to quickly transition to a military footing in an extremely challenging environment, ensuring timely and uninterrupted transportation for military and economic needs. By the order of the People's Commissariat of Railways of the USSR from June 24, 1941, train movements across the entire Soviet Union were switched to a special military schedule, civilian

10.11.2022, 17:31

Shabdan Baatyr

Request of Shabdan Jantaev for the release of the prisoner moldo Mamyrbay Kuatbekov

STATEMENT OF MILITARY SERGEANT SHABDAN DJANTAEV AND MANAP OF TOKMAK DISTRICT SAURAMBAI KHUDOYAROV TO THE STEPPE GENERAL-GOVERNOR REQUESTING THE RELEASE OF MOLDOS MAMYRBAY KUATBEKOV FROM IMPRISONMENT City of Pishpek September 13, 1884

04.11.2022, 14:03

Kurmanjan Datka

The Attitude Towards Kurmanjan Datka and Shabdan-Baatyr in Central Asia and Beyond

According to legends, Kurmandzhan Datka and Shabdan-Baatyr often showed mercy towards the poor and weak, providing them with material assistance. They were not characterized by a thirst for power, cruelty, greed, or a desire for enrichment. They amazed their contemporaries with their insight, flexibility, and consistent implementation of their set goals. In the context of the colonial policies of the Tsarist regime, they tried to preserve the integrity and nominal independence of their fellow

31.10.2022, 18:43

Kyrgyzstan in the 1920s

Merger of the Left Socialist-Revolutionary Faction of the Semirechye Regional Soviet Congress with the Bolsheviks

The significant role of the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries in the fate of revolutionary Russia was acknowledged even by Lenin, who had always held a hostile view towards any kind of "deviationists" from the "general line." In his obituary for Proshyan, who died a few months after the July uprising underground, he wrote: "And yet Proshyan managed to do more for the strengthening of Soviet power until July 1918 than from July 1918 onwards for its undermining." The

12.10.2022, 20:55