Serhetabat (Kushka)

n the Soviet era, the city of Kushka was recognized as the southernmost point of the entire country. Today, this historic settlement is known by its Turkmen name, Serkhetabad, which translates to “border city” (derived from “serkhet,” meaning “border,” and “abat,” meaning “city”). Located to the south of Serkhetabad lies the border with Afghanistan, marking it as a significant frontier region.

Serkhetabad is situated in the southern part of Mary veloyat in Turkmenistan, along the Kushka River. The city is home to approximately 15,000 residents. It was officially designated as a city in 1967, and the name Serkhetabad was adopted in 1992. The city is conveniently positioned near the Mary-Kandahar route, enhancing its strategic importance.

The origins of modern Serkhetabad trace back to a frontier fortress named Kushka, established by Russian soldiers in 1890. This fortress served as a crucial outpost, guarding the remote southern borders of the Russian Empire against Afghan tribal incursions. The significance of Kushka as the empire’s southernmost point was marked by the erection of a 10-meter-high cross on one of the surrounding hills, commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty.

The fortress was strategically located on the banks of the Kushka River, a site chosen not only for its defensive advantages but also for its fertile river valley, which was ideal for agriculture. This led to the growth of a settlement around the fortress, which eventually evolved into the city of Serkhetabad over the course of a century. The fortress itself covered a vast area in the valley, with permanent defenses that transformed it into a small military town by the early 20th century. It featured quarters for soldiers, storage rooms, military supply depots, and officers’ houses, all arranged in a grid of streets. At the heart of the fortress stood a modest Orthodox church, serving as a spiritual center for the inhabitants.