Tashkhoja Ashurkhojayev was a politician and public figure, one of the national leaders in Turkestan.
He was born in a peasant family in Khojand. Very little information about his life and activities has been preserved.
He took an active part in the activities of the “Ittifoq” organization of Kokand workers, which was established in 1917. In November 1917, he was elected a member of the National Assembly of Turkestan at the 4th Extraordinary Congress of All-Turkistan Muslims held in Kokand.
After the overthrow of the autocratic government, in the spring of 1918, he began working in various positions in the Soviet authorities. At that time, he was a member of the Bolshevik Party.
On April 20 - May 1, 1918, at the 5th National Congress of Workers, Soldiers, Christians, Muslims and Peasants’ Deputies of Turkestan in Tashkent, Toshkhoja Ashurkhojayev was elected People’s Commissar of National Affairs of the Turkestan ASSR (Narkom Turknas) and Sadulla Tursunkhojayev was elected People’s Commissar of Health Care. They were the first national leaders - national commissars - who were included in the Soviet government in Turkestan from the representatives of indigenous peoples.
In the fall of 1918, T. Ashurkhojayev, who was sent on a business trip to the Fergana Valley, disappeared. Sources of that time suggest that he died in November 1918.
On January 10, 1919, according to the application of his wife Turgun Bibi Boychaboyeva, he was granted a survivor’s allowance.
Sources used:
- Qahramon Rajabov. Turkiston Muxtoriyati vazirlari hamda Milliy Majlis aʼzolari hayoti va taqdiri. – Toshkent: “BODOMZOR INVEST” oilaviy korxonasi, 2021. – B. 61.
