Basmachi is the name that Soviet historiography assigned to armed formations active in Central Asia in the 1910s–1930s. Their self-designation often sounded like mujahideen or warriors of Islam. The movement arose against the backdrop of political and social upheavals after the revolutions of 1917 and the establishment of Soviet power. For a tourist today, this topic is interesting because many places connected to those events have been preserved and have become historical landmarks.

The Basmachi movement covered vast territories — from the Ferghana Valley to the Karakum Desert, from the mountain regions of the Pamirs to the oases of Khorezm. The reasons for its emergence were complex: dissatisfaction with the policies of the new government, interference in the traditional way of life, religious and national motives, as well as external support. Among the Basmachi were local peasants and nomads, former soldiers, religious leaders, and members of the nobility.
Their tactics were guerrilla: quick raids on garrisons, attacks on caravans and railway stations, destruction of infrastructure. They skillfully used their knowledge of the terrain, hid in mountains and deserts, and crossed into Afghanistan or Persia. In different years, the number of detachments ranged from several dozen to several thousand people.
By the 1920s, Soviet power managed to suppress the main forces of the movement, but individual groups continued to operate until the early 1930s. History remembers the names of leaders such as Ibrahim Bek, Madamin Bek, Kurshirmat, as well as episodes involving foreign figures like Enver Pasha. Today, traveling through Central Asia, one can encounter monuments, museums, and sites that recall those events. They not only tell about military history but also help to understand the cultural context of the region.

In Turkmenistan, in the village of Erbent in the Karakum Desert, there is a monument to the fighter against the Basmachi. It is visible from the road and often becomes a stop for tourists heading to the Darvaza gas crater. In Uzbekistan, in the Ferghana Valley, there are museums displaying documents, weapons, and personal belongings of participants. In Tajikistan, at the Hisor Fortress, one can see exhibitions dedicated to the struggle in the region.

Facts
— The movement was active approximately from 1918 to 1931.
— Some battles involved thousands of people on both sides.
— The Basmachi received weapons and support from abroad, including Afghanistan and Turkey.
— Many battles took place in hard-to-reach areas, which made suppression difficult.

Related stories
One of the most vivid episodes was the adventure of Enver Pasha, a former Ottoman commander who in 1922 led part of the Basmachi but died in battle. Stories of crossings over mountain passes, of hidden bases in deserts and oases are still passed down in the oral tales of local residents.

Tourist sites related to the topic
Monument to the fighter against the Basmachi in Erbent — a monument in the desert symbolizing the Soviet era.
Hisor Fortress in Tajikistan — a historical complex with a museum.