[2] Its causes lay in opposition to the taxation reforms of Isfandiyar Jurji Bahadur, which had resulted in the doubling or tripling of the amount of taxes the Yomud Turkomans needed to pay.
[1] After the revolt broke out, the Khivan government was split between pro-compromise and pro-war parties, of which the latter prevailed.
[1] The subsequent punitive expedition faced resistance from 300-500 rebel fighters led by Shammi-kel, who occupied a strongly fortified defensive position between Takhta and Ilyali and held the government forces off for 20 days.
[1] A Russian force under Colonel Lykoshin was then dispatched to Khiva to aid the government by providing munitions.
Although his forces had not been defeated, Russia's support for Isfandiyar convinced Shammi-kel to seek peace with the government.