The article examines the Russian Empire’s policy on regulating Muslim educational institutions in Turkestan following the region’s conquest. It analyzes the activities of governors-general and educational administrators, their attempts to introduce Russian culture and secular education, and the resistance from the local population. Special attention is paid to state control over maktabs and madrasas, as well as archival sources containing information on this topic. The conclusion discusses the contemporary implications of the empire’s historical policy toward Muslim education.