“The Ili Problem” in the Сontext of the Turkestan Governorate-Generals Policy
«Илийский вопрос» в контексте политики Туркестанского генерал-губернаторства
Gabrielyan S.I. Urakov D.J. Khaynazarov B.B. Otarbaeva G.K.
1 June 2025Cherkas Global University Press
Bylye Gody
2025#20Issue 2880 - 892 pp.
This article is devoted to the military campaigns of the Turkestan Governorate-General in the Ili region in the early 70-80s of the 19th century, its inclusion in the governorate, as well as the clash of interests of the Russian Empire and China in this territory. Based on primary sources, the authors concluded that as a result of the arbitrary decisions of the Governor-General, the territory that previously belonged to China was temporarily included in the Russian Empire. As a result of the intensifying struggle of the Muslim population of the region against the Manchus, the situation in Ili became extremely tense. In addition, the unrest that arose in the border regions with the Russian Empire greatly worried the Turkestan authorities, and the capture of Ili became a priority task. Despite the fact that high-ranking officials demanded a cautious policy in the border zone, Governor-General K.P. von Kaufman managed to seize the region. In 1871, a new administrative region was formed within the governorate – “Gulja”, which remained part of the Russian Empire for 10 years. However, soon after, Chinas attempts to regain the lost lands led to serious contradictions between the two states. After the Qing Empire strengthened its position in East Turkestan, China presented Russia with an ultimatum to return the Ili region. Due to external and internal circumstances, the Russian Emperor gave permission to begin negotiations with the Chinese side. Following two years of disagreements and disputes, the Livadia Treaty was signed, according to which a small part of the Ili region was left as part of Russia, and the remaining territory was returned to China. The authors emphasize that the Turkestan Governor-Generals going beyond his powers and his desire to seize new lands led to an aggravation of the geopolitical situation in the region. It is also important that the interests and wishes of local peoples were not considered in the current situation. Copyright
Central Asia , fon Kaufman , Governor-General , Kashgar , Russian Empire , Semirechensk region , Turkestan , Turkestan Governor-General , Western China , “Ili problem”
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NUUz – National university of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan
SRU – South Kazakhstan University, Kazakhstan
NUUz – National university of Uzbekistan
SRU – South Kazakhstan University
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