The article is about the condition of Samarkand's architectural monuments during the period of Turkestan's dependence on Russia. The article considers firstly, the consequences of the Russian administration's failure to maintain the system of protection of architectural monuments in the region, which had existed for centuries in the area until early days of the Russian occupation, specifically, the consequences of the change in the system of management and use of waqf property; secondly, removal of architectural parts of Samarkand monuments and placing them in the central museums of the empire by the Imperial Archaeological Commission under the pretext of carrying out scientific research of existing cultural heritage sites in the territory of the empire, as in other regions, as stipulated in its regulations; thirdly, efforts of the Commission to protect and repair the monuments of Samarkand.