The Industry of Kyrgyzstan within the Russian Empire
The Industry of Kyrgyzstan in the Territory of Turkestan
In the early 1890s, intensive exploration and development of coal and oil deposits began in the southern part of the Turkestan region. Since 1898, coal seams were being developed in Kyzyl-Kiya. Coal and oil deposits were discovered in other regions as well, where they were gradually being developed. By the early 20th century, relatively large enterprises appeared in both the manufacturing and extractive industries. These included cotton ginning factories in the villages of Aravan and Naiman, breweries, tanneries, and several wool washing facilities in Pishpek, Przhevalsk, and Osh, as well as large coal mines and oil fields.
In 1913, there were 32 enterprises of various industries in the territory that today belongs to Kyrgyzstan: seven coal mines (employing about 1,000 workers), two oil fields, two cotton ginning factories, seven wool washing facilities, two oil mills, two breweries, five roller mills, and several other enterprises. Among them, the largest were the wool washing factories in Tokmok (100 workers) and in the Pishpek district (235 workers), the brewery in Osh (84 workers), and two coal mines: in Kyzyl-Kiya (598 workers) and in Sulyukt (207 workers). The capital of most joint-stock companies (there were more than 10, with a turnover of about 10 million rubles) was invested in mining. It accounted for 50% of production and 59% of workers (Kenenseriev, 2009. P. 165-185).
The construction of new roads and bridges for wheeled transport, the establishment of horse postal and telegraph-telephone communications contributed to strengthening connections between individual areas and the overall development of the economy.
Local residents participated en masse in the construction of roads, the laying of telegraphs, and the maintenance of their proper condition—not only as workers but also as a source of material resources. In 1908-1911, due to coal extraction from the mines of Kyzyl-Kiya and Sulyukt and the need to transport it to the industrial regions of Turkestan, the first railways were established. Later, new railway branches were laid (Aitmambetov, 1967. P. 46).
The blacksmithing, locksmithing, and jewelry-making of the Kyrgyz, partially transcending the narrow confines of home production, gradually emerged as a separate industry. It was influenced by the encroaching commodity-money relations in the economic life of the region. Small processing enterprises appeared in Tokmok, Naryn, At-Bashi, Kochkor, Uzgen, and Jalal-Abad (History of the Kyrgyz SSR. Vol. 2. P. 142, 143).
Encouragement by the Russian administration of the development of fair and stationary trade
