History

History of Kyrgyzstan

The territory of modern Kyrgyzstan has always been a target for occupation for different troops as, for example, those of Djingis Khan who crossed the region.

The first people lived here about five thousand years ago, old stone carvings and the 3000-year-old town of Osh can support this fact. The nomadic people of the Kyrgyz first appeared in this area about 2000 years ago and they are one of the oldest of Central Asia. They went south, coming from the Siberian region Yenisey and established the Kyrgyz Khanate at the beginning of the first millennium.

In the 6^th century there was fromed the Karakhanid Khanate from the majority of early Turkic tribes. One of the most important and flourishing cities was the town of Balasagun where you can also visit the Burana tower belonging to 11^th century. It is only one-hour drive from Bishkek.

In the 13^th century, the powerful Karakhanid statehood was conquered by Djingis Khan, who then formed the Mongol Empire. After the emperor Mongke's death the Khanate was divided into many smaller parts, and the territory of Kyrgyzstan was inside the power of the Chagatai Khanate, the second son of the deceased emperor.

Later, this region was conquered by the Kokand Khanate, ethnically being Uzbeks. But after 1873 - 1874 broad national uprising the region fell under power of the Russian Empire. Since 1936 it has become one of the Soviet republics of the USSR.

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