Two rounds of Stalin 's purges ( 1927 – 1934 and 1937 – 1938 ) resulted in the expulsion of nearly 10,000 people , from all levels of the Communist Party of Tajikistan . Ethnic Russians were sent in to replace those expelled and subsequently Russians dominated party positions at all levels , including the top position of first secretary . Between 1926 and 1959 the proportion of Russians among Tajikistan 's population grew from less than 1 % to 13 % . Bobojon Ghafurov , Tajikistan 's First Secretary of the Communist Party of Tajikistan from 1946 – 1956 was the only Tajikistani politician of significance outside of the country during the Soviet Era . He was followed in office by Tursun Uljabayev ( 1956 – 61 ) , Jabbor Rasulov ( 1961 – 1982 ) , and Rahmon Nabiyev ( 1982 – 1985 , 1991 – 1992 )
Stalin 's purges
Great Purge
Tajikistan