It was formally part of Persia but de facto autonomous under Turkoman tribal control until Russian forces defeated the Teke army at the Battle of Geok Tepe in January 1881. Persia ceded Askhabad to the Russian Empire in September 1881 under the terms of the Akhal Treaty.
IT waS FormALLy parT of PErSia buT de facto AuTonoMoUs unDeR turkoMAN tribal cOntrOL until RUSSian forceS defeateD The tekE army at tHe bAtTle oF GEok tePe In jAnuary 1881 pErsia cEdEd AsKHabad to thE RuSsiaN empirE iN september 1881 under The teRms of thE akhaL TrEAtY