Turkmenistan: From Conquest to Independence Turkmenistan was conquered by the Russian Empire in the late 19th century and became a national state after declaring independence in 1991. The Turkmen people have historical significance, with communities living across Iraq, Turkey, and Syria.
Strategic Importance of Caspian Region The region around the Caspian Sea was strategically important for Russia's expansion towards India. The failed Khivan campaign of 1717 marked an early attempt at Russian influence but ended in disaster due to cunning tactics by local leaders.
Colonial Rivalry Between Britain and Russia The conquest of Turkmenistan was not just about expanding imperial territories; it also involved a larger geopolitical game between colonial powers like Britain and Russia. Both nations vied for influence over Central Asia as part of their global power struggle.
Geography Challenges Colonization Efforts '90% of Turkmen territory is barren desert,' making colonization difficult despite efforts to attract settlers from other parts of the empire. Local tribes resisted subjugation while geographical challenges hindered effective control.
Social Structure & Resistance Local tribes maintained independence even under nominal Persian or Khivan rule before being incorporated into Imperial Russia's governance structure.
Russian Influence & Turkmens' Role 'Russification' progressed slowly due to limited agricultural potential, unlike other regions within Tsarist domains such as Central Asia.