Occupation of Kyrgyzstan by Russians (Second half of 19th century)

In our thesis on the occupation of Kyrgyzstan by the Russians (Second Half of the 19th Century), how the scientists of the Soviet Era evaluated this event and from which perspective they looked at the event were examined from different perspectives. The most important source of our research is the "Turkestan Collection". Because in this compilation, there is information about the Kokand Khanate and its collapse process and the political structures carried out by the Russian Empire. In addition, in this compilation, valuable information about the social life, economic situation, culture, religion and geography of Turkestan and Turkic peoples in the old, middle and modern ages are also included. It is known that B. Camgerchinov, one of the most important scientists of Kyrgyzstan, stated that "Kyrgyzstan voluntarily came under the protection of Russia". At that time, it was not possible to express or think about any other theory. Until the independence of Kyrgyzstan, this theory was accepted during the period of Turdakun Usubaliyev. Kyrgyzstan's coming under Russian domination in the 19th century has been discussed by Kyrgyz scholars from different perspectives in recent history and this issue has been explained with statements contrary to the first theory. Famous historians such as T. Kenesariyev, T. Çorotegin, T. Ömürbekov, among the Kyrgyz scientists, stated as a result of their research that Kyrgyzstan did not voluntarily fall under the protection of the Russian Empire, and that even Southern Kyrgyzstan was conquered in a bloody way. Although this concept seems to contradict the principles of the effective political structure of the period, it is actually an opinion that was put forward as a result of researches made in terms of world history. Kyrgyzstan, which Russia wanted to colonize, started to attract the attention of Russia since the first quarter of the 19th century. The policy of domination, which existed at that time, became even stronger in the 1860s. The policy of putting the Kyrgyz lands under Russian rule was realized with the collapse of the Kokand Khanate in 1876. Keywords: Russian İnvasion, Turkestan Collection, Colony, Khanate of Kokand