Emir Mozaffar al-Din signs peace treaty with Russia

On June 18, 1868, Emir Mozaffar al-Din, who ruled the Emirate of Bukhara from 1860 to 1885, signed a pivotal peace treaty with Konstantin Petrovich Von Kaufman, the Governor-General of Russian Turkestan. This treaty came in the wake of the Emirate's defeat in three significant battles, which led to the annexation of key territories, including Samarkand and the Upper Zeravshan region, by the Russian Empire. This event marked a crucial moment in the expansion of Russian influence in Central Asia, driven largely by economic interests, particularly the demand for cotton during the American Civil War. Despite the annexation, the local Tajik population initially experienced minimal Russian influence. The Russian military, known for its advanced capabilities, faced resistance primarily in specific areas such as Jizzakh and Ura-Tyube, as well as during the siege of their garrison in Samarkand. The treaty not only solidified Russian control over these regions but also established the Emirate of Bukhara as a vassal state under Russian protection, setting the stage for further geopolitical developments in Central Asia.