The dominant ethnic group in Khokand was the Kipchak Kazakhs. Other significant ethnic groups included Kara-Kirghiz, Karakalpaks, Tajiks, Sarts and Uzbegs. The total population was about 1.5 million.

The Khokand Khanate also used Sarbazes as regular infantry. In 1850 only one unit of 400 men existed. By 1865 over 5,000 were garrisoned at Tashkent . Sarbazes were troops trained to fight in the European style of formed ranks, coordinated maneuvers and using volley fire. These comprised the bulk of the regular troops and acted as the Khan’s bodyguard in the field. Other troops were levies of both foot and mounted warriors.

A number of Afgan mercenaries fought as mounted units or as Sarbazes in the Khokand army. Also foreign deserters were assigned to Sarbaze units.

The Sarbaze and Cavalry organization was in units of 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 men. They used terminology similar to the Bokharians. Horse tail standards were used among the cavalry and infantry. Triangular standards were also used. The standards were of a primary color and edged in a contrasting color. Religious slogans and some devices were used on the banners.

The dress of Khokand warriors looked similar to its neighbors. They preferred until 1860 the skull-cap and tended to wear white turbans afterwards. Some troops in the field and in cold weather are shown wearing a small fur hat. As for Sarbazes, they wore a red coat though some units in garrison may have wore dark blue or mid to dark green. The only color mentioned for pants is a red shade.

Until the 1820s most troops were armed with spears and swords. By 1850 only 65% of the troops are reported as armed with muskets. Most of them were matchlocks and flintlocks. Levy troops could be armed with bows, swords, spears and long handled axes. Artillery was rare, of many sizes and used mainly to defend their major towns.

Russian Enemies of Central Asia

Afghanistan
Bokhara Khanate
Khiva Khanate (a.k.a. Khwarizm or Khorezm)
Khokan Khanate
Turcoman Tribes
Russians