The Khivan Campaign was a military expedition undertaken by the Russian troops in 1873 with the goal of conquering the Khanate of Khiva.

This campaign followed the subjugation of the neighboring Khanates of Kokand and Bukhara in 1866 and 1868, respectively.

The Khanate of Khiva had been hostile towards Russia for a long time, inciting nomadic tribes to attack the adjacent Russian territories. As a result of this campaign, Russian forces captured Khiva, the capital of the Khanate.

Under the Gendemian Peace Treaty, the Khanate of Khiva became a Russian protectorate. As a result of the campaign, 10,000 slaves were liberated. On July 22, 1873, Emperor Alexander II established a special state award for participants in the campaign.

The medal “For the Khivan Campaign” was an award given to participants in the military campaign against the Khanate of Khiva in 1873. This medal was awarded to everyone from the high command to non-combatant lower ranks from the Turkestan, Orenburg, Mangyshlak, and Krasnovodsk detachments, and the Aral Flotilla.

Apart from soldiers and officers, the medal was also awarded to priests, doctors, and civil officials who were assigned to various detachments involved in the campaign, as well as volunteers.

Medals were also presented to local horsemen who served as guides and scouts for the Russian forces. Rumors of large money rewards spread throughout Asia and convinced many locals that it would be profitable to assist the Russian cause. Based on an order of April 23, 1874, the medal began to be awarded to freelance servants from retired representatives of lower ranks and individuals of various social classes who had rendered any service during the campaign.

The medal was made of silver and weighed 14 grams. It has a ribbon that combines the traits of the St. George and St. Vladimir ribbons. On the front of the medal, there is an ornate monogram of Alexander II with a large imperial crown above it. On the back, the year “1873” is inscribed horizontally in the center, and the inscription “FOR THE KHIVAN CAMPAIGN” runs along the edge of the circle.