For the Tsar!

Now you can game both sides of the Great Game--or the "Tournament of Shadows," as Russian Foreign Minister Count Nesselrode called it.

Askari Miniatures brings you the Russian military units that served in Turkestan wearing the distinctive summer uniform designed for that harsh climate. (This style, with white trousers, was adopted by the Russian infantry for use in the Balkans during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.) The loose-fitting gymnasterika, patterned on the traditional peasant blouse, is distinctively Russian and signals a movement in Russia toward practical, traditional field dress.

Our Askari Russian figures were inspired by the work of the Russian military artist Vasili Vasilievich Vereshchagin who traveled in Turkestan shortly after the Russian conquest and produced a fine series of paintings based on his first-hand observations. Above, Russian infantry assault a fortress in the painting "Let Them In!" (In Russian, "Pust' Voidut!")

There are Asians to Oppose Them

Askari Miniatures has a set of Pathans (Afghans) that opposed the inexhorable advance of the Russians southwards. Although historically they never came to blows, who knows what could happen on the table top? In the coming months we will produceTurcomen, Bokharans and others to round out a line of Central Asian figures never before seen in 28mm.

Painted Askaris

As always, if you're looking for painted units ready to go, or have some you want to have painted, Bob's your uncle. As you can see on this page, he's already painted some of the Russians. Visit the RLBPS web site, give them a call or stop by their booth at the many conventions they attend.

General Kaufmann, conqueror of Turkestan

In the late 1870s and 80s, General Kaufmann advanced south to conquer the khanates of Bokhara, Samarkand and Khiva. Following the conquest he became the first military governor of the new Province of Russian Turkestan. Well known for his liking for cigarrettes, he is depicted in his general's field uniform, smoking.