The bukharan emirate and turkestan under russian rule in the revolutionary era: 1917-1924

3.2.3. Bashkurd Autonomous Government 
After October Revolution, a National Bashkurd Government was established 
on 29 November 1917. Orenburg was the capital city of the autonomy. In addition, 
Alash Orda’s government center was same with Bashkurd’s, Orenburg. In addition, 
a national army was formed under the defense ministry of Zeki Velidi Togan. He was 
generally known as Velidov. He also became the leader of the state after a while. His 
government was much more real and stronger than other Muslim autonomous 
governments in Russia. “The Bashkurd State was more of a reality. Its proclamation 
coincided almost exactly with the well-known Declaration of 15
th
November 1917, 
signed by Lenin and (even so early) by Stalin also.”
172
 
Togan also had personal 
contacts with both Lenin and Stalin. However, the revolutionary leaders of the Soviet 
did not want a strengthened autonomy in the middle of the country. In January 1918, 
the Red Army attacked Orenburg and denounced the governments and both 
Bashkurd government and Alash Orda government opted for cooperation with White 
forces under Kolchak and Russian Cossacks under Dutov.
173
The Whites succeeded 
in recapturing Orenburg but they declared the non-recognition of any autonomous 
region or government inside Russia at time that they collected power and seemed 
likely to overcome the Bolsheviks.
174
However, in 1919, Whites were exposed to 
great defeat. The Bolsheviks captured Orenburg again. And, both Bashkurd and 
Alash Orda governments had to negotiate and cooperate with Bolsheviks. Both 
Velidov, leader of Bashkurds and Ahmad Baytursunov, the leader of Alash Orda 
made some attempts to merge their governments in Orenburg but Bolsheviks did not 
172
Caroe, Olaf, 
Soviet Empire
: 
The Turks of Central Asia and Stalinism,
(New York: St. Martin’s 
Press, 1967), 104-105. 
173
Andican, Ahad, 
Cedidizm’den Bagimsizliga Haricte TURKISTAN MUCADELESI
, (Istanbul: Emre 
Yayinlari, 2003), 57. 
174
Ibid, 59. 

---

69 
permit this and separated two governments by creating a Russian region in Orenburg. 
Lenin decided to cease these autonomous governments by taking Frunze’s warnings 
about Muslim autonomous regions into consideration.
175
And, Velidov’s armed force 
was forced to join the Red Army and then Lenin decided to send it to Ukrainian front 
for the war against Denikin although Velidov insisted in sending it to Turkestan 
front.
176
It was the only armed force of a Muslim government. Although other 
Central Asian Muslims were not recruited in the reign of Tsardom, the only 
exception was Bashkurds; Bashkurd soldiers served in the Tsar’s army. “In May 
1920 Moscow published a new decree to regulate the autonomy of Bashkiria. This 
withdrew most of the powers delegated a year before, subordinating all subjects of 
importance, political, financial and economic, to the Centre.” 
177
 
The Soviet leaders 
did not want to share any authority inside all of Russia. The increasing threat of 
Basmachis in Turkistan, and the intervening policies of Britain and Afghanistan 
forced Moscow not to leave any problem producer inside the middle of the country. 
Zeki Velidi Togan made some mistakes in his political career influencing the stand 
of Bashkiria. For instance, his delivering Bashkurd troop to the Red army was a big 
mistake. And then, the Bashkurd leaders attempt to put a program aiming the 
compulsory expropriation of all Russian settlers in Bashkiria was another mistake 
since it frightened the Russian officials. Besides, Togan’s efforts to aid the Alash 
Orda state in Kazakhstan and attempt to establish joint government with them 
provoked Moscow to take immediate precautions against him and his Bashkurd 
175
Andican, Ahad, 
Cedidizm’den Bagimsizliga Haricte TURKISTAN MUCADELESI
, (Istanbul:Emre 
Yayinlari, 2003), 60-61. 
176
Ibid, 60. 
177
Caroe, Olaf, 
Soviet Empire
: 
The Turks of Central Asia and Stalinism,
(New York: St. Martin’s 
Press, 1967), 109. 

---

70 
government.
178
After Togan saw his project failing and Moscow’s preparation 
targeting himself, he left to Turkistan region over Baku to attend the national 
struggle of Basmachi forces.