St. George’s Chapel in Tashkent

In the heart of Tashkent’s Shaykhantahur district, on the street of Oftob, stands a small, yet historically significant, chapel dedicated to St. George the Victorious. Built in 1886, this chapel was constructed over the mass grave of 24 Russian soldiers who lost their lives during the capture of Tashkent by General Mikhail Chernyayev on June 15, 1865. The conquest of Tashkent was a pivotal episode in the Russo-Kokand War (1850-1868), marking the beginning of the Russian Empire’s expansion into Central Asia.

The first attempt to storm the city, which was then part of the Kokand Khanate, was made by a relatively small detachment led by General Chernyayev on October 1, 1864. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the defenders of Tashkent, who numbered around 15,000, successfully repelled the attack. Chernyayev’s forces, comprising around 1,000 to 1,500 soldiers and 12 cannons, were forced to retreat.

Before launching a second assault, Chernyayev needed to capture the Niyazbek fortress, which controlled the city’s water supply. This strategic move enabled the Russian army to lay siege to Tashkent, weakening its defenses. On May 9, 1865, the ruler of the Kokand Khanate, Mulla Alimkul, was mortally wounded in a skirmish with the Russian army. His death led to the dispersal of the external defenders of Tashkent, but the city refused to surrender.

Chernyayev’s second attempt to capture Tashkent began on June 15, 1865. This time, he employed a clever tactic, outflanking the city from the southwest and infiltrating the Kamolon gates under the cover of night. The ensuing street battles lasted for nearly three days, with thousands of defenders taking an oath to die for their faith and city. Chernyayev was forced to set fire to houses near the Kamolon gates to protect his troops from the defenders. The city finally surrendered on June 17, 1865, when additional Russian forces entered Tashkent from the north and east.

A year after the conquest, on August 17, 1866, the Orenburg Governor-General, Kryzhanovsky, visited Tashkent and accepted the city’s request to join the Russian Empire. The residents of Tashkent were granted Russian citizenship, marking the beginning of a new era in the city’s history.

The chapel of St. George the Victorious was built to honor the 24 Russian soldiers who lost their lives during the second assault on Tashkent. Their remains were buried in a mass grave near the Kamolon gates, along with the body of Lieutenant Reikhart, who was fatally wounded during the first assault in October 1864. According to some sources, a total of 65 Russian soldiers and officers died during the military campaign led by General Chernyayev.

In 1886, the Tashkent City Duma, which had become the capital of the Turkestan Governor-Generalship, approved the construction of the chapel on the site of the mass grave. The chapel was built using private donations and was consecrated in the name of St. George the Victorious. The Holy Synod decreed that an annual procession would be held on the day of Tashkent’s capture, starting from the Military Transfiguration Cathedral in the city center and ending at the chapel near the Kamolon gates.

After the 1917 revolution, the Bolsheviks destroyed the cathedral and looted the chapel, but its sturdy brick structure withstood the destruction. During the Soviet era, the chapel was surrounded by private buildings and survived due to the careful attention of the local residents. Although the building was partially buried in earth after the area was leveled, the residents continued to show respect for the monument.

Interestingly, the Kamolon cemetery, where hundreds of Tashkent’s defenders were buried, is located near the chapel. Despite the complex history between the conquerors and the conquered, the local residents have always shown a deep respect for the chapel and its significance.

In recent years, the chapel of St. George the Victorious has gained attention from tourists and local historians, who have worked tirelessly to promote its historical importance. In 2019, the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan ordered the restoration of the chapel, which was registered as a cultural heritage monument. The restoration project was based on the original plans, preserved in the Central State Archive of Uzbekistan, as well as historical photographs of the chapel. The restoration aimed to revive the chapel’s original appearance, while also ensuring its stability and safety.

The story of the chapel of St. George the Victorious is a testament to the complex and often tumultuous history of Tashkent, a city that has been shaped by various cultures and empires throughout the centuries. Despite the many challenges it has faced, the chapel remains a significant cultural and historical landmark, serving as a reminder of the city’s rich heritage and the people who have shaped its destiny.