Siege of Ura-Tyube
Russian artillery breaches proved decisive against clay walls.
The Siege of Ura-Tyube (27 September–2 October 1866) was an unauthorized Russian military operation during the Russian conquest of Bukhara and the Russo-Kokand War. Led by Military Governor Dmitry Romanovsky, the siege targeted a settlement that had recently declared independence from the Emirate of Bukhara. The assault succeeded largely due to unexpectedly effective artillery breaches.
Quick Facts
- Part of
- the Russian conquest of Central Asia
- Location
- Ura-Tyube, Emirate of Bukhara (modern Istaravshan)
- Date
- 27 September – 2 October 1866
- Result
- Russian victory
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The unexpected success of artillery breaches and failure of scaling ladders changed how Russian commanders viewed the two forms of assault.
- General Konstantin Petrovich von Kaufmann ordered experiments to test scaling ladders on clay walls after the siege.
Background
Ura-Tyube, like neighboring Khujand, had broken free from its ruling power shortly before the Russian attack. It was part of the Emirate of Bukhara, but from 1965 to 1866 governor Rustam Bek and First Minister 'Abd al-Ghafar Bek successfully established an independent fiefdom. In the mid-1800s, Russia conquered Central Asian territory to secure a productive border. After war reignited with Bukhara in 1866 following the detention of the Russian embassy, Military Governor Dmitry Romanovsky received tacit permission to attack the Bukharan fort of Irjar, resulting in a crushing defeat for the Bukharans. After capturing Nau and Khujand in May, Russian forces faced harassment from horsemen led by Rustam Bek from Ura-Tyube, increasing Romanovsky's paranoia and leading him to plan a preemptive attack. On September 20 he led a detachment to Ura-Tyube.
Siege
Ura-Tyube was built on three steep hills, protected by two layers of clay walls approximately 6 verst in circumference. Although such walls had previously proved unreachable by Russian artillery, some artillerymen believed Ura-Tyube would be an exception. A two-pronged attack was planned: two columns would storm the southern walls via assault ladders, and one would advance through the northeastern wall after an artillery breach. At 5:00 a.m. the signal was given.
The first column quickly established ladders, but one broke, leaving five soldiers and an officer surrounded. Russian troops then assaulted the gates and broke into the fortress. The second column scaled the walls under covering fire while defenders threw hot tar, logs, and stones. The third column's artillery barrage succeeded, blowing a hole 2 meters wide and 1 fathom tall in the wall by midday, and the column advanced into the city.
More in 19th-century Military History of the Russian Empire
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