Siege of Khujand

Background

Khujand was a city caught between the Khanate of Kokand and the Emirate of Bukhara, but it mostly ran its own affairs, fostering a strong local identity and independent leadership. In 1865, Bukhara took control of the city after Kokand lost Tashkent to Russia. However, just one year later, following the Siege of Irjar, Khujand broke away and became fully independent, with its own garrison commanded by Kereuchei Mullah Tuichi Dadkhwah. By the time the Russians arrived, it was a self-governing state.

Russia had been expanding into Central Asia to create a stable frontier, and in 1866 fresh conflict with Bukhara erupted after the Russian embassy was detained. Military Governor Dmitry Romanovsky got informal approval to strike the Bukharan fort at Irjar, which he did decisively. He then decided to move against the Syr Darya river towns, including Khujand, even though his superiors worried this would upset the border with Bukhara.

Siege

Russian forces stopped 3.3 miles from Khujand on the bank of the Syr Darya. Reconnaissance revealed the fort would be extremely difficult to take: structures and trees outside the walls had been destroyed, and the main road was flooded by irrigation canals. The city was protected by two layers of wall reinforced with towers, embankments, and barbettes. Russian envoys were shot at when approaching the city, ending diplomatic efforts.

Romanovsky received a reprimand from Kryzhanovsky for requesting materiel without allocated funds; his aide-de-camp borrowed 3,000 rubles from a wealthy Tashkenti to fund the last transport. A second reconnaissance on 18 May, with columns on both banks of the Syr Darya, drew artillery and small-arms fire but identified a weak section in the north-eastern walls and encircled the city. Russian sources claim Kokandi military parties approached and agitated villagers, but historian Inomjon Mamadaliev has cast doubt on this due to deep hostilities between Kokand and Khujand.

On the nights of 19 and 20 May, Russian forces built four batteries with eighteen cannons and two mortars, which bombarded the city for a day, causing turmoil and isolated fires. The attack split Khujandis into two factions: a more powerful one led by two chief jurists and Khwaja 'Azamat supporting negotiation, and a weaker faction led by the aqsaqal supporting violent resistance.

Aftermath

Russian casualties were 5 killed, 65 wounded, 57 to 65 contused, and 6 missing. Romanovsky estimated Khujandi deaths at over 2,500, including garrison commander Kereuchei Mullah Tuichi Dadkhwah, reportedly killed while fleeing. Russian forces buried the dead and provided rudimentary treatment for the wounded over several days. On 5 June, defenders formally surrendered by presenting bread and salt to Russian command.

A delegation from the Emir of Bukhara soon met Romanovsky to discuss surrender terms, but he declined, considering the delegation's leader untrustworthy. Romanovsky continued his march to Jizzakh and Ura-Tyube. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not view the unapproved expedition positively. The captures of Nau and Khujand intimidated the Kokand Khanate; on 28 May, Khudayar Khan declared himself a friend of the Tsar and indicated openness to an alliance against Bukhara. Romanovsky responded positively, demanding extradition rights and free trade for Russian merchants.