The Role of A. Osmonbekov in the Establishment and Strengthening of Soviet Power in Kyrgyzstan

As a result of the revolution that took place in Russia in October 1917, the Bolshevik party came to power, which attempted to introduce a socialist system throughout the territory of the former Russian Empire. As you know, the social support of the communists was workers and peasants. In other words, the political rhetoric of the Bolsheviks was based on the slogan of liberating broad sections of the population and affirming the principles of social equality. However, such transformational efforts inevitably met with significant resistance from those social groups that previously occupied a dominant position in regional power structures. The civil war on the territory of the former Russian Empire, which began after the October Revolution and lasted until 1923, acquired the character of a national liberation movement in Central Asia. This was due to the continuation of the colonial policy of the new government, including the Bolsheviks, which largely reproduced the inertia of tsarist chauvinism in relation to the indigenous peoples of the region. In Soviet historiography, this movement was called "Basmache movement". In some regions, it continued almost until the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. At the end of 1918 - the beginning of 1919, the anti-Soviet forces practically took control of the Fergana Valley. The success of this movement, which later received the general name "basmachestvo", was due to the wide support from all strata of the local population. The movement had not only moral and material support from the common people, but also the personal participation of many common people. Even yesterday's farmers, cattle breeders and artisans, despite the lack of weapons and lack of previous experience of participation in military operations, being convinced of the justice of their struggle against the oppressors, put up active resistance and often won victories over the units of the Red Army. In Turkestan, including the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan, for the protection of the Soviet power, the Central Executive Committee of the Turkestan ASSR on July 10, 1918 decided to create a headquarters for the defense of Turkestan. Representatives of the local population were involved in defensive measures, and the formation of units of the Red Army began to be carried out on a voluntary basis. In addition, volunteer detachments of local residents began to be created in various regions to fight against publishers and protect Soviet power. The formation of national military units became an important turning point during the Civil War and contributed to the strengthening of the local population's trust in the Soviet government. One of the most outstanding military leaders to emerge from the Kyrgyz people in the 1920s and 1930s was Arstanaly Osmonbekov, a brilliant figure who made a significant contribution to the establishment and defense of Soviet power, as well as to the development of Soviet Kyrgyz statehood. The first Red Army commander, A. Osmonbekov, from 1920 onward, led the Kyrgyz Cavalry Division he created, with which he actively fought against the Basmachi. For his significant contribution to strengthening Soviet power and successful actions against anti-Soviet groups, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner in 1923.