Uprisings of Indigenous People for Their Independence in the Summer of 1876
In the summer of 1876, several uprisings of indigenous people for their independence occurred in the same Alaï and in the area bordering Karategin. At the end of May and the beginning of June, herders migrating between Varukh and the Soq Gorge rose up. Their numbers reached up to 400 people. The uprising was led by Abdurakhman-mulla and Abdul-Karimbek, the nephew of Khudoyar-khan, who pursued their own selfish interests. On June 11, a clash occurred in the Kara-Bulak area between the Soq River and Isfara with a tsarist punitive detachment led by Major General Skobelev. The participants of the uprising suffered defeat.
In the second half of June, the Kyrgyz of the Noigut tribe, migrating in the upper reaches of the Soq River, also rose up. In a clash that took place on June 23 in the Naudzhailak area, the participants of the uprising defeated the tsarist punitive detachment. This instilled confidence in the indigenous population and inspired them to further resistance. Sympathy and support for the uprisings of Kyrgyz nomads from the sedentary Uzbek population also increased. An official archival document stated: "A connection became noticeable between the mountain rebels (the insurgents—K.U.) and the discontented sedentary elements, especially in Kokand." In this and other uprisings of Kyrgyz herders, representatives of the Uzbek population of Fergana actively participated.
Soon, the Kyrgyz of the Shaparchi tribe, who were migrating in the Durgumak, Karakul, and Raut areas along the Soq River, also rose up. The ranks of the rebels numbered up to 800 people. They were led by Magomed biy, Yar-Magomed, Khuday-Nazar, Madkerim, Muratbiy, and Ishmagomed. The participants of the uprising took a position at the Djura pass, erected three rows of stone barricades, and prepared for a decisive resistance against the tsarist punitive forces. A battle ensued. The rebels "opened heavy rifle fire on the detachment and began to throw huge stones more frequently." Each barricade had to be taken by force.
As noted by the commander of this punitive detachment, Colonel Prince Wittgenstein, it was only "after a stubborn and fierce battle that the position (of the rebels—K.U.) was taken." Fifty yurts of the nomads were ruthlessly burned. All this hardened the local population against the tsarist officials and pushed them towards new uprisings.
In the middle and second half of July, the indigenous population of the mentioned areas continued to resist the punitive forces. Tsarist soldiers, continuing their brutal actions, appealed to the local residents to cease resistance and come to the victors in submission. Threats were also employed in case of disobedience. The mentioned tsarist soldier also attempted to negotiate with the leaders of the uprising to stop the resistance.
Heterogeneous Anti-Colonial Uprisings Against Tsarist Authority
