Tashkent Rebellion (1917)

The Tashkent Rebellion of 1917, also known as the Soldiers' Revolt, was a significant event in the Turkestan region following the February Revolution in Russia. It represented a power struggle between the newly formed Tashkent Soviet of Soldiers' and Workers' Deputies and the Provisional Government's Turkestan Committee. The rebellion highlighted the tensions between Russian settlers and the indigenous population, and the growing influence of Bolshevik ideology among the soldiers stationed in Tashkent.

The February Revolution had led to the establishment of dual power structures across Russia, including in Turkestan. The Turkestan Committee, based in Tashkent, was intended to represent the Provisional Government's authority in the region, while the Tashkent Soviet represented the interests of workers and soldiers, many of whom were sympathetic to Bolshevik ideas.

The immediate cause of the rebellion was the issue of land ownership and distribution, particularly in the context of cotton cultivation. The Russian settlers, who largely controlled the land, were reluctant to redistribute it to the indigenous population. This sparked resentment and fueled the growing discontent among the local populace and many soldiers within the Tashkent garrison.

The rebellion began in September 1917, initiated by soldiers and workers demanding the transfer of power to the Soviet. They seized key government buildings and arrested members of the Turkestan Committee. The fighting lasted for several days, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. The Bolsheviks, though not explicitly leading the rebellion in its initial stages, capitalized on the unrest and actively supported the Soviet's takeover.

The Tashkent Soviet, dominated by Bolshevik-leaning elements, ultimately prevailed. The Turkestan Committee was overthrown, and the Soviet established its control over Tashkent and much of the surrounding region. This victory marked a significant step towards the establishment of Soviet power in Turkestan. However, the rebellion also deepened the existing ethnic tensions and contributed to the instability that would plague the region throughout the Russian Civil War. The Tashkent Rebellion served as a prelude to further conflict and the eventual establishment of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924.