Bishkek to Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Osh is Kyrgyzstan’s southern capital, and one of the oldest cities in the country. With a history estimated to stretch back 3000 years, Osh has long been a central city in the Fergana Valley. Osh has also been historically significant in many different eras, from being home to a large bazaar to being the birthplace of Kurmanjan Datka.

It’s hard to confirm exactly how old Osh is, and though artifacts have been found dating to the 5th century BCE, many say that the city is 3000 years old. Legends say that the city was founded by Solomon, or maybe Alexander the Great. No matter what the legends say, Osh has been a crucial point for merchants and traders for millennia. The bazaar, located along the Ak-Bura River, has been in its same location for many centuries.

Osh, KyrgyzstanOsh, KyrgyzstanOsh, Kyrgyzstan
In medieval times, Osh was an important trading city. Nomads would come from the mountains to sell livestock, and merchants would come from Asia and Europe with caravans of goods. In 1762, Osh became part of the Khanate of Kokand, and was one of the six main trading centers in the khanate.

In 1868, the Khanate of Kokand was annexed to the Russian Empire. Kurmanjan Datka, ruler of the Alai region, near Osh, stayed independent for a while longer, but in 1876, she led a peaceful transition to Russian power. The story of her life was adapted for a 2014 film, and she has been honored with statues around Kyrgyzstan (including one in Osh). Osh expanded under Russian rule, with European-style houses being built.

When borders were drawn to create the modern republics, Osh ended up in southern Kyrgyzstan, near the border with Uzbekistan. The city’s population of around 260,000 people is roughly evenly split between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbek. Tensions have flared up occasionally, most notably in 1990 and 2010. Osh has since been calm for a number of years, and is well-loved for its distinct character and delicious plov.