History of Kyrgyzstan has more than 2000 years people and its introduction goes back to the first ethnonym "Kyrgyz" which was mentioned in 201 BC. When you travel in Kyrgyzstan, you will be impressed how rich and valuable historical events. It is important to note that, Kyrgyz people used to follow nomadic lifestyle and never built houses. It was easy for them to live in dwellings - yurts and to be close to the nature. In the course of a tour in Kyrgyzstan, you will find few scripts and petroglyphs on the rocks and get to know more about history of ancient people. Actually, Kyrgyz people preferred oral speech rather than written. Generally speaking, Kyrgyz refers to Turkic tribes and thus, you are going to notice a lot of similarities in exploring history of Kyrgyzstan.
Prehistory (1 million years ago - 1 000 BC)
Significant events of the prehistory of Kyrgyzstan are going to be told you. In the course of a tour in Kyrgyzstan, you will see the great development of culture and art. When you travel in Kyrgyzstan, we recommend you to visit the Rock Art Gallery in Cholpon Ata. It is important to note that, ancient Kyrgyz used to spend time there in their holidays. Visiting Cholpon Ata, you will find approximately 2000 images which are situated on stones and rocks. There are also petroglyphs of animals as goats, bulls, horses, deers, camels, dogs and others. In the course of your tours in Kyrgyzstan, you will see compositions of hunting, plowing, ritual dancing, animals with carts, labyrinths, erotic and others. They all belong to the Kyrgyz history and considered to be precious.
Ancient History (1 000 BC - 300 AD)
The first traces of Kyrgyz activity goes to the ancient history in 201 BC. Kyrgyz people were mentioned by Chinese historian Sima Tan, who noted in his chronicle "Historical notes", that Kyrgyzs and other five peoples were dominated by the Hunnu. Moving on, there is next record by historian Ban Gu, who mentioned Kyrgyz in the 1st century BC in his Chinese chronicle Han-shu (History of Han). Another Chinese source says that, Kyrgyz in the area of Eastern Turkestan, where actually the present Kyrgyzstan is situated.
Turkic Era (500-1200)
Travelling in Kyrgyzstan will give you opportunity to learn more about Turkic Era, which was found in the early Middle Ages from the 6th to the 13th centuries. This event became the main point of migration the Turkic-speaking tribes from the Altai Mountains to the Central Asian region. It was period of the establishment Turkic dynasties. It is important to note that, still there were not any Chines records of Kyrgyz people in the first six centuries AD. Over the time, they finally formed the first Kyrgyz Kaganate on the middle Yenisei River and South Siberia in the 7th century. The Kyrgyz Kaganate was dominated by Barsbek ajo-king. In 9th and 10th century, the Yenisei Kyrgyz decided to create their own community among the Irtysh River in the west to the Big Khingan range in the east, from the Angara and Selenga Rivers in the north to the Gobi Desert in the south. In this period of time, the Russian and Soviet historian Barthold came over and brought up the term Great Kyrgyz Empire.
The Mongol Rule (1200-1400)
There is the Mongol Rule which is considered to be tragic in the history of Kyrgyzstan. In the course of a tour in Kyrgyzstan, you will be informed that, 13th century was outlined in the history of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. It led to the Mongol invasion. It is important to note that, the ruler of the Mongol was Genghis Khan. He is one who dominated the territories of Central Asia and developed the Turkic culture. Over the time, the Yenisei Kyrgyz made a decision to be a part of Genghiz Khan and joined in 1207. Chenghiz Khan ruled an army for for several hundred years.
After a while, kyrgyz joined to Islmaic religion in the 12th and 15th centuries due to impact of the Persian, Arab and Turkic tribes who travelled along the Silk Road. Over the time, the belief gone due to shamanistic traditions among the Kyrgyz people in 19th century.
Kyrgyz consolidation (1400-1800)
In the course of a tour in Kyrgyzstan, you will be told about Kyrgyz consolidation which took part in 15th century. Kyrgyz tribes decided to move from South Siberia to the territory of present Kyrgyzstan. It is important to say that, Kyrgyz statehood was unknown at this time. Over the time, Kyrgyz decided to establish its own state, but in the end they successfully formed ethno-political system consisting of two wings and center. States were independent and tribal system continued to exist for four centuries.
Russian Colonization (1770-1917)
The history of Kyrgyzstan outlined the Russian Colonization which brought up prosperity to the country. In the course of a tour in Kyrgyzstan, you will be told that, Russia asked northern Kyrgyz tribes to join them and protect from external and internal threats of China and Kazakhstan. Over the time, southern Kyrgyzstan was taken by force and resulted to the development of policy and military movements of the Russian Empire. In the course of tours in Kyrgyzstan, the new administrative-territorial system was formed with the help of Russian empire and improved the nomadic lifestyle as well as agricultural economy.
Soviet Rule (1917-1991)
Traveling in Kyrgyzstan will inform you about Soviet Rule. It is important to note that, Bolsheviks brought positive pages to the development of Kyrgyz state in 1917. In this period of time, people were free and equal to the government. Thanks to the Bolsheviks, Kyrgyzstan had positive development in political, economic and cultural spheres. In this period of time, the elimination of illiteracy and the creation of the system of elementary, secondary and higher education, professional literature, theatre, painting, cinema, science and the establishment of a large-scale heavy metal processing industry and machinery were developed. Kyrgyzstan became an independent republic due to Bolsheviks excluding the fact that, Authorization, Collectivization and Cultural Revolution became a point of murders.
Independent Kyrgyzstan (since 1991)
We are glad to see you travelling in Kyrgyzstan and inform the final step of independent Kyrgyzstan. It is worth saying that, a national flag, emblem and anthem were accepted. After becoming independent, the first Constitution of Kyrgyzstan dated in 1993 as well as Kyrgyzstan became a member of UN on 2nd of March 1992. Over the time, prosperity of independent country destroyed and faced with mass unemployment. It must to be admitted that, Kyrgyzstan faced with poor political, economic as well as social crisis which led to the "island of instability" in Central Asia. There were 2 presidential revolutions in 2005 and 2010. Fortunately, revolutions passed and country joined to political, social and economic development. Kyrgyzstan became a parliamentary system and elected new president in in 2017.
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