A few hundred years ago, the central part of Asia was a well-developed region with many strong states. The history of the Kyrgyz and Kyrgyzstan is closely intertwined with the actions of the ancient great empires. This country has a rich cultural and military history, has experienced many ups and downs. Important trade routes to Siberia and China took place here, fierce and lengthy battles always fought for this land.
History of ancient times
In the modern state of Kyrgyzstan, people settled more than 100 thousand years ago. Anthropological materials dating back 126 thousand years old were found in one of the regions. Archaeological excavations have confirmed that one of the oldest settlements in Asia is located in this area - the city of Osh in the south. It is here that the famous Ak-Chunkur caves are located, the walls of which the ancient hunters painted with red ocher.
The first inhabitants of the country were pagan nomads, who left behind only parking places and primitive tools. In addition, at different times, Scythians, Usuns, Ephtals or “White Huns” and other ancient peoples lived here. The history of the Kyrgyz and Kyrgyzstan has survived many religions. In the mid-10s, the majority of the population preached Buddhism, which was replaced later by Islam.
Kyrgyzstan in the Middle Ages
Starting from the XIII century, the territory of Central Asia and part of Europe was subjected to numerous raids by the Mongol nomads. According to scientists, they destroyed the indigenous population of modern Kyrgyzstan, and today's inhabitants of these lands are already descendants of warlike Mongols. Genetic studies have revealed a separate haplogroup of the Kyrgyz nation, which originates among the Yenisei, Turkic tribes and some regions of China.
At the end of the 9th-10th centuries, the Kyrgyz Kaganate was flourishing, and the lands of Southern Siberia, Mongolia and the upper Irtysh fell under its protection. In the next 300-500 years, Kyrgyz tribes lived in the Minusisk depression, gradually moving to the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan. In the 15-16 centuries, the state was under the rule of the Kazakh Khanate, later captured by the Dzungars. The country suffered the most serious damage in the mid-18th century, when the army of the Qing Dynasty seized all the lands and destroyed almost the entire male population.
History of Kyrgyzstan during the reign of Russia
Until the middle of the XIX century, individual Kyrgyz tribes arbitrarily passed under the citizenship of the Russian Empire. After 1855, detachments of imperial troops conquered significant territories of Kyrgyzstan. Some tribal tribes did not want to part with independence so easily, therefore violent clashes of Russian troops with the local population periodically arose.
One of the significant dates in the history of Kyrgyzstan was the Revolution of 1917, after which the region received the status of an autonomous republic, which largely contributed to the development of individual statehood in the country. And after the collapse of the USSR, Kyrgyzstan gained its sovereignty quite painlessly. When the republic was a part of the USSR, it developed as an industrial and agricultural country. Here, mines for the extraction of angle were opened, large areas for agricultural plantations were developed. During the Great Patriotic War, more than 360 thousand volunteers were sent to fight against the Nazis. Until now, many monuments in the country speak of this victory.
Current situation
Since 1991, the state gained independence. Big changes have occurred in the sphere of the political system. So, the former totalitarian regime was replaced by an authoritarian-democratic one, gradually increasing the democratic line.
In the administrative-territorial significance, Kyrgyzstan is divided into 7 regions and 2 cities of republican significance. The constitution of the state was adopted in 2010, in 2016 some amendments were introduced. According to the main document of the country, Kyrgyzstan is a democratic, secular, unitary and social state. The form of government is not officially specified in the constitution, but, according to politicians, it is parliamentary-presidential, with great influence from the prime minister. The country has a multi-party system.
The main political partners of Kyrgyzstan are Russia and the CIS states. The state maintains active economic cooperation with China, Kazakhstan and Turkey. The main export goods are agricultural products. In addition, Kyrgyzstan has large reserves of gold and mercury.
Natural resources
Kyrgyzstan is located on an area of 200 thousand square meters. km Almost the entire territory is occupied by steppes and mountains; there is no access to the sea. There are two mountain systems in the country: Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai. The highest point is considered Pobeda peak - 7439 m. Kyrgyzstan borders with China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
The climate is sharply continental, arid. In summer, the temperature rises to +20 º, in winter it drops to –30 º. On the territory of Kyrgyzstan there are thousands of glaciers that feed many large and small rivers of the country. The most famous rivers are the Syr Darya and Amu Darya, the lakes are Balkhash and Aral.
The flora and fauna are widely represented. More than 2000 thousand different tree species grow in the forests of Kyrgyzstan. Here live snow leopards, foxes, wolves, brown bears, ground squirrels, red deer. Many animals are listed in the Red Book of Russia.
At the end of the 19th century, rich mineral deposits were found on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. First of all, coal. Developments are ongoing to this day. In addition, non-ferrous and rare metals, gold, mercury, tin and tungsten are mined here. Many sources are abandoned today due to the unfavorable financial situation.
Country problems
Most of the population of Kyrgyzstan today is below the poverty line. The economy feeds only at the expense of the agricultural sector, but almost all the crop goes for sale to other countries. The crisis has led to the destruction of many social institutions, for example, medicine, education, culture. There is a lack of qualified specialists and managers.
For many years, Kyrgyzstan has been a leader in the sad list of countries with high maternal mortality. The reasons for this terrible situation in a number of adverse factors. Most women die from postpartum hemorrhage and anemia. Poor nutrition and lack of proper care contribute to the development of serious abnormalities. Since 2006, the government launched a program to protect the health of expectant mothers. Among the population, propaganda is carried out to prepare girls and women for maternity planning.
Significant Events
There were many important moments in the history of such an ancient state, the main of which are described in the textbook “History of Kyrgyzstan” (Grade 5). Now the authorities are trying to restore the interest of the population in the heroic past of their people. After all, the level of illiteracy and lack of education in Kyrgyzstan is one of the highest among the former republics of the USSR.
The following important years in the history of Kyrgyzstan are distinguished for students:
- 3 c. BC e. - The first mention in the Chinese letter of the name of King Hun;
- 201 BC e. ancient Chinese sources speak of the Kyrgyz tribe;
- 104 - 101 BC e - the invasion of Chinese troops;
- Beginning 3 in n. e. - the formation of the Kangut state;
- 5th century AD - Kyrgyz move to the lower reaches of Elisha;
- 8-9 centuries - the emergence and reign of the Kangt Kaganate, a union of strong nomadic tribes;
- The end of the 15th - the beginning of the 1st century - the folding of the Kyrgyz people;
- 1917 - the formation of Soviet power.
Among modern events, it is worth highlighting the adoption of the new sovereign Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as the overthrow of President K. Bakiyev in 2010 and the election of a new government led by A. Atambayev.
Features of national traditions
The history of the culture of Kyrgyzstan is unique and peculiar. It was formed under the influence of many factors: Muslim and pagan beliefs, assimilation with other nations. In songs, fairy tales, and simply in everyday life, the theme of nature prevails, her Majesty over ordinary people
The history of the state of Kyrgyzstan is inextricably linked with nomadic life. All clothes, houses, tools reflect a respectful attitude to the gifts of nature. Yurts were made from the skins of deer and other animals, such housing was easily assembled and disassembled, transported to a new place. The clothes were made of natural material and dyed with natural dyes.
In the history of Kyrgyzstan, horses have always been of great importance. These animals served as a means of transporting goods, with their help men hunted, made military raids. The horses gave the Kirghiz meat, milk, and skins. In addition, at all festivals, horses became a center of worship and an indispensable object of national songs and dances.
Literature
The history of the state of Kyrgyzstan is inextricably linked with the most significant folk poem - “Manas”. In its structure, it resembles the Greek work “Odyssey”. The hero became a hero, personifying all the people of Kyrgyzstan. The epic entered the Guinness Book of Records as the longest and most voluminous work in the world.
Researchers have not agreed on what time the events in the poem relate to. The Russian scientist V.M. Zhirmunsky called the Middle Ages - XVII centuries, others noted an earlier period. But many people agree that the events described are not fiction or retelling of myths, but the transmission of historical episodes that actually happened.
National sport
Each nation creates its own special sports, taking into account the characteristics of its country and people. So, in Russia, in antiquity, they played bast shoes, blindfolds and other outdoor games. In the history of Kyrgyzstan, sport was of great importance and out of military contests. Men trained before hiking, supported the strength of mind in the body with the help of sports exercises. And at the same time, the games reflected the Kyrgyz national preferences.
So, the traditional sports competition is Kok-Boru. 8 men on horses fight each other for a ram carcass, and having received it, they try to throw it into the opponent’s goal. As in all Asian countries, wrestling is still popular in Kyrgyzstan. Such a sport promotes physical and strategic education.
Tourism
Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful country with a unique history. There are many historical monuments, as well as places of nature, untouched by man. However, problems with the economy do not allow to fully establish the scope of the tourism business. Indeed, to attract people not only sights are needed, but also a developed infrastructure, many hotels, food places, convenient travel routes.
Travelers who have visited Kyrgyzstan at least once notice an amazing nature that is not inferior to Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Montenegro. In a small area there are several climatic zones. In 3-4 days you can visit the subtropics, semi-desert regions and temperate marine areas. Fans of extreme sports, mountaineering and those who enjoy skiing will find entertainment here. For people interested in archeology, in Kyrgyzstan there are many places where you can plunge into the ancient world.
Famous people
Kyrgyzstan is a poor, but proud country that honors and remembers its past and famous representatives of the people. Among the famous personalities of the history of Kyrgyzstan, the heroes Tailak and his twin brother Atantai are especially popular. Both of these historical figures fought against the Chinese troops that occupied the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan in the Middle Ages.
The Fetisov gardener is a unique person who planted more than 200 thousand trees in his life. He was able to overcome many obstacles from officials and just those people who did not believe in a scientist, openly mocked and interfered with him. A successful nerd, professor, he could make a good career in the capital, but chose difficult conditions in the steppe. Fetisov was able in a short time to design and implement the idea of landscaping a large city under construction.
Kubat Biy is a famous person, a hero of oral legends and legends of the Kyrgyz people. According to legend, he lived in the 17-18 century and became famous for heroic deeds, protecting his lands from raids and trying to unite disparate tribes.
Baytik-Baatyr - many legends about a noble war from the Chuy valley are composed about this person. He is credited with appealing to the authorities of the Russian Empire for patronage. In the 17-18th century, the country was torn apart by internecine strife and raids of the steppe nomads, so the people of Kyrgyzstan voluntarily became part of the empire.
Kurmanazh-Datka - this woman became the brightest representative of the history of Kyrgyzstan. There are many songs and legends about it that have survived to this day. After the death of her husband, she became a wise and fair ruler.
Namatov Satybaldy, a well-known and honored enlightener of Kyrgyzstan, at the beginning of the 19th century waged an active fight against illiteracy in the country. He worked at the department, produced teaching materials for teaching the Russian and Kyrgyz languages. But, like many smart people of those times, he was unjustly accused and was shot in 1937.
Petr Petrovich Semenov (Tien Shan) is a famous explorer and traveler. For many years he studied the flora and fauna of Kyrgyzstan. He made many scientific discoveries, his name is forever inscribed in the history of the country.
sights
Monuments of ancient civilization coexist on the territory of the country simultaneously with the monuments of the Soviet era. Despite this cultural diversity, the people of Kyrgyzstan are proud of the achievements of their distant and close ancestors.
History of the monuments of Kyrgyzstan:
- Osh is the oldest city in Central Asia.
- Shorobashat - the ruins of a large settlement dating back to the 5-6th century AD e. The hillfort is located on the gentle side of a hill near the Iasi River and covers an area of 70 hectares. There is a military fortress, a spiritual room and a refuge for ordinary people. Moreover, these ancient walls served as protection for the local population during many wars.
- Uzgen - the history of the creation of the monument in Kyrgyzstan originates in the 8th – 9th centuries AD. The city is considered one of the oldest in the country. Uzgen was located on the route of the caravan to the East and was considered a strategic military outpost.
- The complex of defensive settlements near Issyk-Kul Lake. The chain included several cities, small villages. Here, archaeologists still make interesting historical discoveries.
More than a hundred thousand drawings of ancient people were found on the slopes of the Ferghana Range. They depicted hunting, dancing, their gods.
Features of schooling
Back in the early 2000s, the Kyrgyz government was thinking about reviving education in the state. To this end, several institutes were given the task of developing a curriculum for all classes. In the book, special attention was paid to the merits of the Kyrgyz people, their glorious victories.
A series of textbooks on the history of Kyrgyzstan Osmonova O. J. covers a large period of time, from the birth of civilization on this earth to recent years. These educational materials have become a compulsory program for all schools and other educational institutions of the country. The series covers periods from Ancient times to the present:
- "History of Kyrgyzstan" (Grade 6) - the textbook covers the period of Antiquity, when tribes of ancient people inhabited the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan. In the mountains and caves, remains were found dating back to 126 t. BC e. From the book, children will be able to learn that once upon a time in the place of modern towns and cities huge dinosaurs and mammoths lived.
- "History of Kyrgyzstan" (Grade 7) - talks about the period of formation of the Kyrgyz nationality. The difficult way of the struggle of the local population with the invaders from the east and west is described. For many decades, the inhabitants of the steppes assimilated with the Mongols, Kazakhs and other tribes of Central Asia.
- "History of Kyrgyzstan" (Grade 8) - the middle classes study the period of development of their native country during the period when it was part of the USSR. At this time, Kyrgyzstan was experiencing a large industrial and agricultural boom.
For senior classes, the history of the last years of the existence of Kyrgyzstan is taught. Many ordinary residents criticize the textbook for being too “ironed” to present facts about past events. The main goal of the history books of Kyrgyzstan Osmonov O. J. - to give the population an idea of the glorious history of Kyrgyzstan, as well as to revive patriotic feelings in the inhabitants.
Kyrgyzstan is a country of amazing discoveries, its history is rich in great events and legendary people. For many, a trip here will be a real discovery. Under favorable conditions and the right policy, the state will be able to become a developing and strong player in its region.