In this article, we analyze the political processes and the internal situation in the Kokhan Khanate in the 1870s based on a number of studies. During this period, the territory of the khanate was much reduced, and the revenues to the treasury were also reduced. To fill the treasury, heavy and various taxes and duties were introduced. After the occupation of the Kokan Khanate by Russia, the situation of the population became worse day by day. More things were demanded from the people. The life of the people under the tyranny of the conquerors became more difficult, taxes increased, inflation and hunger increased, and hatred for the officials increased, which caused the people to take up arms and fight for their freedom and liberties. This is how the Polat Khan Uprising, one of the longest-lasting popular movements in the history of Central Asia, began. However, there is no consensus among historians in the assessment of this uprising. Some call it "people's movement", others "reactionary movement", still others "national liberation struggle", and others "inter-feudal war".