History

What is now Bishkek was always a little dot on the silk road. It was one of the last stops before setting off to cross the Tian Shan mountains and head for China. In 1825 the Uzbek Khan of Kokand build a fortress here. The Russians took over in 1862 and 16 years later a town called Pishpek was established here. Pishpek became central in the plans for the colonization of Central Asia by the Russians and many farmers came in here in search for the generous land grants, especially after the abolishment of the slavery in Russia.

The Soviets renamed the town in 1926 to Frunze after the Civil War commander born here. However, the Soviets didn't stop at renaming, and rebuilt most of the city into the nondescript Soviet Provincial Capital that it more or less still is.

Independence came unexpected in 1991 and the city was renamed Bishkek, after the pronunciation in Kyrgyz of the original Pishpek. Tellingly, this means churn for kumys, the national drink (well, maybe after vodka). The city has not been rebuilt, but its character is slowly changing.