Anis H. Bajrektarevic is a Professor and a Chairperson for International Law and Global

MODERNDIPLOMACY.EU

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Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the
“southern part of modern Turkmenistan comes
under Persian rule, while the northern part is
dominated by the Uzbek-ruled states of Khiva
and Bukhara[5].” 
During the 17th and 18th centuries the Qing
Dynasty had incorporated parts of Central Asia
into the Chinese Empire, but their dominance
was cut short as inner turmoil halted the expan-
sion. During the same time period, Kyrgyz peo-
ple settled in modern-day Kyrgyzstan which
was conquered by the Oirats (Mongol tribe
after centuries of Turkic rule in 1658)Then in
1758, the Kyrgyz people were conquered and
became nominal subjects of Chinese Empire. In
the 18th century, materials like cotton, silk and
karakul (a breed of domestic sheep) were sold
from Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Russia, which
brought prosperity as well as economic power
to the region. The 18th and19th centuries saw
an increase and rise of independent Emirates
and Khanates of Bukhara, Kokand, and
Samarkand. In 1876, the Khanate of Kokand
was conquered by the Russians and incorpo-
rated the land that is now Kyrgyzstan, into its
empire. The Kazakh people during this time
split into three groups: the Elder, Middle and
Lesser Zhuzes, or Hordes, which were led by
Khans.
HISTORY fROM THE 19TH CENTuRY TO THE
COLLAPSE Of THE SOvIET uNION 
By the end of the 19th century, the Russian Em-
pire, the Qing Dynasty of China, and other pow-
ers expanded into the area and seized control.
Since then, Central Asia has been a playground
for countries to play due to its highly important
geo-strategic location, its proximity to other
countries, trade routes, and natural resources.
There was a Central Asia Revolt in 1916 (or the
Basmachi Movement), caused by the removal
of Islam as a provision that kept peoples out of
the conscription process. The Russian Revolu-
tion facilitated the declaration of an independ-
ent Turkestan, which was declared by the
Government of Jadid Reformers (Turkestan
Muslim Council) in Kokand. The autonomous
areas of Bukhara and Khiva were also invaded.
This resulted in the creation of the Turkestan
Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR);
Bukhara and Khiva also became SSRs in 1918.
Modern day Kyrgyzstan was the Kirghiz Au-
tonomous SSR in 1920; Kazakhstan was the
Kazakh Autonomous SSR in 1925 (Kazakhstan
was also part of the Kirghiz SSR until it was
granted its own SSR status); the Uzbek SSR and
the Turkmen SSR was created in 1924. Tajikistan
split from the Uzbek SSR. The Kyrgyz Au-
tonomous Oblast became a SSR in 1936 which
was formerly the Kyrgyzstan Autonomous SSR.