Campaigns of Shymkent

Battle of Shymkent
Part of Russian conquest of Central Asia
DateFirst campaign: 22 July
Second campaign: 14–22 September, 1864
Location
Result First Battle: Russian Retreat
Second Battle: Russian victory
Belligerents
 Russian Empire
Supported by:
Qing Dynasty
 Khanate of Kokand
Kyrgyzs
Commanders and leaders
Mikhail Chernyayev Alimqul
Strength
1,298 Initial: 25,000
Eventual: 10,000
Casualties and losses
6 killed, 41 wounded First campaign: 3,000 killed
Second campaign: 10,000 killed or captured

The Battle of Chymkent took place in 1864 between the Kyrgyz, Khanate of Kokand against the Russian Empire. General Chernyaev besieged Shymkent for ten days, during which there were daily battles; he eventually withdrew without taking the city. Mullah Alimkul then strengthened the city's defenses by gathering a garrison of Uzbeks and Kyrgyz. After finishing this task, he put Mirza-Ahmet in charge of Tashkent and went to Kokand with the Kokand army.In this battle, Qing Dynasty, which was also at war with Kyrgyz, supported Russians.

During the second campaign, Chernyaev acted much more successfully, and was able to take the city, continuing the Russian expansion further to Tashkent.