[1] Around 1,500 armed men attacked the Russian forces at Andijan (formerly part of the Khanate of Kokand),[1] under the direction of the Naqshbandi Sufi sheikh "Dukchi Ishan" (Muhammad Ali Madali) (1856–1898).

[citation needed] The attack saw the rebels surround the camp, taking the soldiers of the 20th Russian battalion by complete surprise.

546 rebels were arrested, and 356 condemned to forced labour or exile to Siberia (163 were set free).

The rebel leader was thought to be representative of the Ottoman Empire (but the credentials proved false[clarification needed]), and he was declared khan the day before the revolt.

Edward Dennis Sokol points out that while this affair might seem insignificant at first glance, it actually revealed widespread dissatisfaction with Tsarist rule in Central asia.