The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-05
The Conquest Of Khokan.

political geography, applied in modern
times almost exclusively to the three prin-
oipal States of the region which was best
known twenty years ago as Independent
Tartary, but Is now more familiar under
the name of Western Turkistan. In their
order from west to east these States are
Khiva, Bokhara, and Khokan. Russia's
steady advance eastward, since the Cri-
mean war, disnembered them, but did not
destroy them, and although each was
shorn OF rich territory to be incorporated
with the Russian Empire, each preserved
q nominal independence up to last sum-
mer. Khokau, the easternmost OF the
Khanates, Is the first TO be absolutely alb
sorbed. With the classic province of
Ferghana rs its nucleus, II is an oval valley
In the upper basin OF the ancient Jaxartes,
favored with q mild climate and a pro-
ductive soil. On the east It rises to the
great plateau Of Pamir, 1.-The Roof of the
World" and on the south tho mountain
Gus ridges of Karateghin separate 1T from
Wakhan and Badakshan, the northern de-
tendencies of Afghanistan. There Is good
geographical authority for the belief that
neither the table land nor the mountains
would be insuperable obstacles to the pas
sage OF a well-provided army from Kho-
kan into India.
Ten years ago the Russians annexed the
western part Of Khokan including the
celebrated city Of Tashkend; while East
crn Khokan, comprising the lovely vale Of
Andijan, with the town OF that name. was
left intact under the rule of KHUDA-
VAR KHAN. who was so unpopular with the
Kipohak tribe as to be largely dependent
upon Russia for the maintenance OF his
throne. He Is son-in-law of the Ameer
Of Bokhara, and, though himself an Uzbeck
Tartar. represented the KHmoHIz faction
In Khokan politics as opposed to the
Kipchaks. But the Kipohaks were
famous warriors OF old, when BABER
conquered Hindostan, and when TAMER-
LANE ruled the eastern world. They
seem to have reeaiued their ancient char
acter for bravery, and last summer they
rose against the Khan and his Russian sup
porters. KHUDAYAR fed with thirty camel
loads of treasure; but the plan of the Kho-
kandians comprised more than his mere
expulsion. They sought TO regain their
lost territory from Russia, and on the 9Th
paign which the Russians have yet fought
In Central Asia, by an attack on the gar
risoned town Of Khojend, just over their
western frontier.
Two years ago Mr.. EUoESE SCHUYLER,
who has himself visited the Khanate, wrote
homo to Washington. from the United
States legation at st. Petersburg that
SHOULD II for any reason become ncces-
sary for the Russians to take Khokau, the
country could be captured In a week with
. battalion OF men. and could be very
easily held" He was greatly In the wrong
~ to the ease OF conquest. In the last num-
Dor Of the Geogrd phtcot Magazine, a de-
tailed account Of the struggle is given by
ARMNIus vAMBtRY, the distinguished
Asiatio traveller, aud historian OF Bo-
khara. Unequal as was the contest, II
went on with little interruption for nearly
six months. The district OF Namangan in
the north, was easily subdued, and at once
organized into Russian province, while
the inhabitants, whose characteristics are
peaceful, endeavored to appease their con-
querors by gift Of forty thousand loaves
OF bread. But the Kpchaks of Eastern
Khokan were more formidable, and were
estimated at eighty thousand in number
when the Russians moved upon them in
force. Fortress after fortress was cap
tured, town after town was stormed and
taken. only after heroic resistance and
appalling bloodshed. The extraordinary
courage Of the KhoKandians has no paral-
lei In the modern history of Central Asia.
In the latter part OF October, the towns
-
body of Kipciiaks, rose unitedly against
the Russian garrison which occupied the
citadel. For three days it was besieged by
tho brave assailants, in spite of fire
which strewed the esplanade with their
oorpses, and the Russian commander was
forced to destroy the town by lombard
ment before he could repulse them. The
war was ended by battle fought on the
banks of the Jaxartes between the cities
Of Andjan and Khokan, In January OF
the present year, which lasted continue
ously a whole fortnight Russia was vic
torious, aud has now annexed the entire
Khanate.
This decided approach to India excites
much comment in Europe. 1t is dificult
to show how it could have been avoided,
and this same impulsion of necessity has
been characteristic OF all Russia's steps in
that direction. The movement was dis
tinctly prophesied years ago. although it
was impossible to foretell what precise
| contingency would rsnder II apparently
Indispensable. Undoubtedly it causes so me
uneasiness TO English statesmen. 1t must
hasten the adoption of q definite aud logi-
| cal policy In regard 10 Russia's Asiatio
| frontier. Shall England protect India by
maintaining an intermediate zone of indie
| pendent States. of which Afghanistan Is
the most important, or shall she boldly
| advance her own Outposts and occupy the
| great Afghan fortress of Herat? Lord
LAWRENCE, late Viceroy of india, advo-
| Gates the former policy, while the latter Is
| distinctively the plan of Sir HENRY RAW
LINsoN, the well-known geographer, and
| former British Minister to Persia. Situated
| in fertile and populous valley in the
northern part Of Afghanstan, the city of
| Herat is enclosed by an earthwork OF
| colossal Dimensions, nearly mile square,
ffty to sixty feet high, and two hundred
and fifty feet wide at the base. This vast
mound is surmounted by wall eighteen