Nation-Building in the Shadow of Colonialism: The Case of Fergana Valley

Central Asian communities, initially colonized by the Russian Empire for its own interests, were reshaped many times in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) era. In this timeframe, the complex or undefined borders, which were not a problem due to being part of Soviet territory, became a source of conflict for the states following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Particularly in the Fergana Valley, issues between the borders of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan continued until 2025. This article aims to explain how the Russian Empire colonized Central Asian territories from the imperial period and how the USSR influenced the fate of nations in the region by dividing their lands in various ways. While colonialism has affected regional countries in various ways, the study examines the impacts of colonial legacies in the framework of borders and sovereignty. The research investigates how nation-building has been influenced by the legacy of colonialism. In conclusion, it is argued that resolving border issues in 2025 will further facilitate nation-building processes of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which struggled with border problems from the beginning of their independence.