FAMINE IN TURKESTAN DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF SOVIET RULE AND THE STRUGGLE AGAINST IT (THE 1920s)

This article analyzes, on the basis of historical sources and scholarly literature, the main causes of the famine that emerged in Turkestan during the early years of Soviet rule, its social consequences, and the measures undertaken to combat it. The food shortage of the 1920s was not merely the result of natural disasters, but rather a complex historical process closely connected with war, the disintegration of the economy, the policy of forced distribution, and administrative mistakes. The article also examines the relief measures implemented by the state, local structures, and the public within the framework of anti-famine efforts, as well as their capacities and limitations. In addition, it considers the profound impact of the famine on the demographic, economic, and spiritual life of Turkestan society.