1839 Russian Expediton (5000 inf & Cav + 22 guns) attempt to attack the Khiva Khanate. Harsh climate and terrain depleted the formations to such a degree that the Russians retreated before reaching Khiva.
1839…Bokhara vs Kokand. The Bokharans won this border dispute.
1840…Bokhara infantry captures Pishagar by assault in August.
1842-1848 Russian military command adopts a policy of building mutually supporting forts along routes (mainly rivers) deeper into the hostile land.
1853 The Russian established a major fort at Ak Musjid on the Jaxartes River.
1853 The Crimean War limits serious operations in the Central Asian region.
1865 Tashkent Minor incidents of skirmishes between patrols and raiders.
1866 Russians defeat a Bokharan force at Irdjar
1866 Russians capture fort at Khodjent
1867 Russian garrison at Sarmakand is besieged by Turcoman tribes
1869-72 Russian troops conduct numerous surveying parties and armed patrols into Turcoman lands adjoining the Russian Frontier. These often fought skirmishes with various Turcoman slave raiding parties.
1870 Russian Expedition under Abramov attempts to subdued Bokharan rebel tribes in the areas of Kitab and Shahr-I-Sabz.
1871-72 Russian force under Kolpakovsky captures Kuldja. It was Chinese territory captured by the Turcoman tribes of Dungan and Taranchi. The territory was returned to the Manchu Chinese in 1883. (What if the Russians had refused to return it to the Chinese? A good alternative scenario.)

1873 General Kaufman’s Khivian Campaign

This was a serious effort by the Russians to crush the Khiva Khanate and establish control over the region. The Russian were well equipped with supplies breach loading rifles and artillery. To ease foraging for supply, the Expedition started in four columns from four bases. The Tashkent (2500/3500) column + Orenburg (3000/3400) column + Kazala (1400/2000) column = Col Lomakin’s (1800/2000) column. . These columns merged prior to any serious combat into two main columns. The Tashkent and Kasala columns merged to become known as the Kaufman Column (5500).

The Orenburg and Col Lomakin’s columns merged to become known as the Vereffkin Column (5400). The columns moved separately toward the capital with both fighting several skirmishes with the defending forces. Vereffkin arrives at Khiva first but is told to not assault the city until the Kaufman column arrives. The dates of battles and the fall of Khiva vary between sources. Due to the supply problems and poor condition of the troops, I have elected to list the later dates provided.

March… A fifth support column (2200) from Chikishlar suffers heavy losses from Turcoman ambushes, the heat and lack of water. The column reaches the Bala Ishem oasis but is unable to advance any further. The subsequent retreat results in more casualties and the loss of all of its artillery.

Kaufman Column
May……Adam Kurulgan. A Russian supply train with an escort vs Turcoman Cavalry. The detachment inflicts heavy casualties on the Turcomans with their rifles.
Late May Turcoman forces adopt guerilla tactics of ambushes and harassing raids designed to avoid a pitched battle with the Russians.
Late May…Russian troops attack a Khivian port on the Oxus River and destroy several boats used by the Turcomans for raiding.
May 29….The Sheik Arik Ford. Uzbeg cavalry (500) supported by two smoothbore guns defend the river crossing. Russian troops (2 companies + 4 cannon) successfully secure the ford after a brief skirmish.
June 5…..Hazar Asp Oasis. Khivian troops (3000) are using the oasis and its fort as a rallying location. A Russian foraging force (500 inf + 100 Cav + 2 guns) advance on the fort searching for supplies but unaware of the size of the Khivan force at the oasis. The battle was bitterly contested. The Russians asked for reinforcements to assault the fort but they arrived after dark. Instead of launching a night attack the entire force retreated back to the main Russian camp located at the Sheik Arik ford. The next day the Russians again advanced the fort but it surrendered and most of the Khivans had departed.
June 5 to 9… The Kaufman column advances on Khiva while facing continued harassing by the Khivans.

Vereffkin Column
March…Local Kirghiz tribes refuse to provide requested pack animals to Col Lomakin. He conducts a raid against the tribes to obtain as many pack animals as possible.
Late May… Several Uzbeg and Turcoman towns along the Amu Darya River are captured after bitter fighting.
June 9…Russians bombard the city in order to halt snipping by the Khivians. Vereffkin is ordered to wait and assault the city in coordination with the Kaufman column.
June 10… Both the Kaufman and Vereffkin columns enter the capital without having to assault it. The Khan had fled.
July 1873…Kaufman orders several small columns to advance to the tribal camps or villages of surrounding Yomud Turcoman tribes, where the Khan had sought refuge. Russian troops (9 inf Co + 9 Cossack Sotnias + 1 Rocket Bty + 1 Gun Bty + 2 Mitrialleueses MGs) destroy several towns and massacre the tribesmen.

Kokand Campaign

Russia's Manifest Destiny 19th Century Expansion

Introduction
Russian Campaigns During Their Southern and Eastward Expansion: Including Events of their Siberian Advance
Russia’s Oriental Gamble: Notes on the Push to the Pacific
Russia’s Taming of the East: Operations Against the Khanates of Central Asia
Chronology of the Russian Campaigns into Central Asia 1839-1884
Sources
Miniature Castings For the Various Russian Wars