The historical, epic drama, set in 19th century Central Asia, tells the true story of Kurmanjan Datka, a strong willed woman, who becomes the ruler of her country and saves the nation from total destruction. As a young woman she is forced into an arranged marriage but escapes, flees to the mountains and falls in love with the local chief Alymbek, whom she marries. When he is killed by political rivals, she becomes the "queen of the mountains" and a key figure and negotiator in the national struggle, when the Russians invade.