Khiva falls to Imperial Russian forces under Kaufman

Background. Konstantin von Kaufman, a military engineer and the first Governor-General of Russian Turkestan, commanded the operation against Khiva. He had previously subjugated the Emirate of Bukhara in 1868. In December 1872, the Czar authorized the attack on Khiva. Kaufman planned to approach the city from multiple directions, including a march west from Tashkent, coordinating with forces moving south from Fort Aralsk.

The Fall of Khiva. Kaufman started from Jizzakh on 23 March 1873. The city fell on 28 May 1873. During the campaign, slaves in Khiva rebelled, informed about the city's downfall. When Kaufman's army entered Khiva, Khivans begged him to put down the ongoing slave uprising, during which slaves avenged themselves on their former enslavers.

Aftermath. Following the conquest, the Khan renounced independent diplomatic or military operations. He agreed to an indemnity of 2,200,000 rubles. Kaufman demanded the abolition of the Khivan slave trade and slavery, which the Khan accepted. A Russian garrison was placed at Petroalexandrovsk, east of Khiva, securing the new protectorate status.