THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE KOKAND KHANATE AND THE GOVERNOR-GENERALSHIP OF TURKESTAN

The study of relations between the Kokand Khanate and the Turkestan General-Governorship is currently one of the relevant scientific directions. In particular, after the establishment of the Turkestan General-Governorship in 1867, there arose a need for a detailed analysis of the establishment of political relations between the Kokand Khanate and the General-Governorship, as well as of the processes accompanying this stage. Of special importance is the identification of the content and meaning of diplomatic letters and notes exchanged between July 1867 and February 1868, as well as the examination of the composition, goals, and functions of the embassies. It is well known that in the second half of the nineteenth century, the active expansion of the Russian Empire into Central Asia led to significant changes in the political life of the region. The Kokand Khanate, seeking to preserve its independence, pursued various diplomatic measures and, at the same time, was compelled to regulate its relations with Russia to a certain extent. As a result, the continuity of diplomatic tendencies and the distinctive diplomatic traditions of the parties became more pronounced in the process of establishing political ties. In this regard, the article, based on a comparative-analytical approach and drawing on a range of foreign, local, and archival materials, examines the establishment of political relations between the Kokand Khanate and the Turkestan General-Governorship during the short period up to February 1868, and highlights the order and processes of their formation.