In 1718, an event occurred that became the first step towards the annexation of Kazakh lands to Russia - Khan Tauke, the supreme ruler of the once united and powerful state, died. As a result of the struggle of contenders for power, the country broke up into three independent tribal formations, called the Senior, Middle and Junior zhuzes. It was the head of the Younger Zhuz - Abulkhair Khan - who played an important role in establishing the Russian protectorate.
Problems caused by separatism
Immediately after the collapse of the Khanate, hard times came. The weakness resulting from separatism was immediately exploited by aggressive steppe neighbors. The younger zhuz, whose lands stretched in the western part of present-day Kazakhstan, was attacked by the Dzungars tribes, who made peace with Russia, but did not stop predatory raids on their neighbors. The situation was becoming critical.
In 1730, after another series of raids, followed by the first appeal of Khan Abulkhair to the Russian authorities with a request for help in repelling aggression. As a sign of gratitude, he promised Anna Ioannovna the conclusion of a military alliance that would ensure the security of the Russian borders. However, fromPetersburg responded that they agreed to help in the fight against the Dzungars, but only on condition that the territories subject to Abulkhair entered under the Russian protectorate.
Entry under the protection of Russia
Abulkhair Khan accepted these conditions, despite the fact that their implementation deprived his people of independence. In this case, his exorbitant ambitions and resentment for the fact that after the death of the Supreme Khan Tauk he was not elected as his successor played a role. Agreeing to sacrifice state sovereignty, this cunning politician hoped in exchange for citizenship to receive guarantees from Russia that the khanate would be transferred to his direct heirs.
The ruler of the Middle Zhuz, Khan Abulmambet, did not lag behind him. He managed to obtain the citizenship of two great powers at once - Russia and China. His policy of maneuvering between these countries was called "between the lion and the tiger." The senior zhuz at that time could not do anything, as it was completely under the influence of the Kokand Khanate and was deprived of its own voice.
Mission of Russian diplomacy
In 1731, when the Kazakh rulers were mired in political intrigues and searching for ways to satisfy personal vanity, the ambassador, Count AI Tevkelev, arrived from St. Petersburg. Fulfilling the mission entrusted to him by Anna Ioannovna, on October 10 he gathered the most influential representatives of the Middle and Younger Zhuzes and, with the support of Khan Abulkhair, representing the Younger Zhuz, convinced them of the benefits that promised them entry into the Russian protectorate.
Hisdiplomacy was successful, and at the end of this congress, the khans, who were at the head of the zhuzes, and twenty-seven other rulers of a lower rank swore allegiance to Anna Ioannovna on the Koran. This act became the legal justification for the annexation of Kazakh lands to Russia, although it was still far from their final entry under the canopy of the double-headed eagle.
The alliance with Russia helped the Kazakhs resist the Dzungarian invaders. During the period of intensification of their raids, in 1738-1741, the army, formed from representatives of the Middle and Younger zhuzes, with the support of the Russians, inflicted several crushing defeats on the enemy. In these campaigns, the brother of the Khan of the Middle Zhuz, Abylay, was at the head of the united forces. In 1741, in one of the battles, he was captured, and only the intervention of the Orenburg administration saved his life and returned his freedom.
The end of the life of the famous ruler
Abulkhair Khan never managed to subjugate all three Kazakh zhuzes, although he fought for supreme power for many years. The fame of him as a fearless commander and comrade-in-arms of the no less famous Abylai Khan spread across the expanses of the endless steppes. However, such popularity among the people gave rise to the envy of many Kazakh rulers. One of them - Sultan Barak - made a lot of efforts to overthrow his rival. Both of them, possessing bright charismatic qualities, harbored mutual hatred for each other. This was the cause of the tragic denouement.
From the documents that have come down to us, it is known that in August 1748Abulkhair Khan, accompanied by a few guards, was returning from the Orsk fortress. On the way he was ambushed by Barak and his companions.
In the ensuing unequal battle, the head of the Junior Zhuz was killed. Abulkhair was buried near the confluence of the Kabyrga and Olkeika rivers. This place is located eighty kilometers from Turgay - one of the cities of the Aktobe region.
People's memory
Today this place has become one of the monuments of the history of Kazakhstan. In the people it is called Khan molasy, which means "grave of the khan." In September 2011, the Science Committee under the government of the country, as part of a program studying the reign of Khan Abulkhair, initiated the exhumation of his remains. The genetic examination carried out confirmed their authenticity, which is very important, since he is one of the heroes, the veneration of whose memory is expanding every year.
Descendants of Khan
After the death of Abulkhair, his son Nuraly became the khan of the Little Zhuz and, following the example of his father, sought an alliance with a powerful and influential neighbor - Russia. Numerous of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were also included in the circle of the supreme government of the khanate.
An interesting detail: one of the distant descendants of Abulkhair, Gubaidulla, became a prominent Russian military figure during the reign of Alexander II. Having survived until 1909, he passed away as a cavalry general and a recognized ancestor of the Russian signal troops. Abulkhair Khan himself, whose biography still requires deep study, remained forever inmemory of his people.
