Theme 6. The diplomacy of the Kazakh khanate in the XVI-XVII centuries

1. Kazakh and Zhungar relations 2. Kazakh and Russian relations

1) In 1635 in the west of Mongolia or in northeast part of Central Asia the huge nomadic state – the Zhungar khanate was created, it consisted of mongol-oyrat tribes. The basis of its economy was made by extensive cattle breeding.

Occasional invasions of the Zhungars on the Kazakh lands began in the XV century. At the end of the XVI century the small part of Oyrat tribes after unsuccessful attacks to Kazakhs got to dependence on the Kazakh khan Tauekel. In 1640 in the Tarbagatay mountains the Zhungar empire was under the direction of tayshi Batur, whose plan called "Steppe campaign" of further actions was approved where an internal political system of the khanate, its economic culture, domestic and foreign policy had a militaristic character.

This plan was told by the known Kazakh batyr salkam – Zhangir,who escaped from captivity of the Oyrats, he urged all neighboring people to block them a way by joints efforts and to defend the independence. But he didn't manage to conclude the alliance with the neighboring people, managed to bring together hastily only 600 rebels, and there were 50 000 Zhungars. But Zhangir applied very favorable tactics of fight, taking into account the district. If earlier the Kazakhs, carryied away enemies to the steppe, ran in different directions from them, then they were met in an open field and then were broken, but that time, in the narrow gorge Tarbagatay Orbulak (now the Panfilovsk area of AO area) where the road, lay they hastily constructed the defense – a trap. When the Zhungars cavalry passed on it, squall of fire fell upon them from both sides of the road and from the mountains the hail of stones swept down. So the crushing blow was struck to them. This tactics of batyr Zhangir was a new word in military art of the Middle Ages. In heavy fighting in Orbulak together with the Kazakhs bravely fought the Uzbeks arrived from Samarkand led by the leader Zhalantos. In his 20-thousand troops there were the Kyrgys, the Tajiks, and the Karakalpaks, and the Turkmens.

However since the end of the XVII century Zhungars threat began to turn into serious danger to existence of independent Kazakhstan.

Having suffered defeat in the war with the Tsinsky empire, Zhungars feudal lords tried to compensate losses at the expense of a gain of Kazakhstan and Central Asia. In 1698 Zhungars hordes intruded in nomad’s camps of the Senior zhuz, that was the beginning of a new strip of armed conflicts between aggressive Oyrats and Kazakh feudal lords. The fight became more and more fierce and bloody, Zhungars feudal lords inflicted over the Kazakhs one defeat after the other, by stealing cattle and capturing, taking away pastures and property, exterminating sometimes the whole auls and clans. Shattered and weakened by continuous external collisions

and internal contentions the Kazakh nation experienced the greatest disasters and deprivations during this difficult period of their history.

Large invasion of Zhungars armies into borders of Kazakhstan took place in 1710-1711. But it didn't make success, integrated forces of Kazakh zhuzes rejected pressure, the Zhungars receded, but didn't refuse the plan of the Kazakh lands capture. Oyrat feudal lords, having made the peace with the Tsin empire, gave itself a free hand, and in the spring of 1723 with all their power fell upon Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The Kazakhs of nomadic areas being busy with preparation for transition from winter pastures on summer were taken by surprise. Sweeping away barriers from separate and not numerous Kazakh groups, Zhungars active armed forces quickly moved ahead deep into territories of Kazakhstan.

Without maintaining an impact of superior forces of the enemy, rescuing the people, having left cattle and property, the Kazakhs went to Central Asia, further to the west. The clans of the Senior zhuz, having transported through the Syr-Darya, went to Hodzhent. The majority of the clans of the Middle zhuz went away to Samarkand, and the Junior zhuz, having rounded Sauran, left to Khiva and Bukhara, the Volga and Astrakhan.

Movement of considerable mass of the nomads and the refugees from the Kazakhstan agricultural and craft centers to the cities and settlements of Central Asia caused an aggravation of international contradictions, hunger, ruin, replacement of inhabitants of these oases to deaf, waterless areas. The Uzbek historian Mohammed Yakut Bukhari wrote: "… in Bukhara there appeared such hunger, what even human meat was used for food to people, the dead weren’t buried but eaten. There came full confusion. In Bukhara there remained two guzars (blocks) of inhabitants, in Samarkand there wasn’t any live soul left".

That terrible time became history of the Kazakh people, as years of "Great disaster", in oral Kazakh legends called "Aktaban shubyryndy, Alkakol – sulama".

This unknown in the history of the Kazakh nation tragedy is depicted in the song "Elim-ay" which passed from a father to a son.

Invasion of the Zhungars caused in the Kazakh society huge shocks, a mass wandering – loss of a large number of cattle – the main wealth – led to economic crisis.

And it, in turn, strengthened political contradictions among a ruling Kazakh feudal tops. Association against the hated enemy could become an only exit from a created difficult situation in the society.

In 1726 in Ordabasy (south to the west of Shymkent) historical meeting of representatives of all three zhuzes took place. The decision on creation of allkazakh militia was made. According to the unanimous decision of khans and byis the khan of Junior zhuz Abulkhair was elected as the commander-in-chief of all Kazakh armies.

In 1726 in southeast part of the Torgay steppe, on the banks of the Bulanty and Beleuty rivers, in the district of Kara-Siyr which has received subsequently the name of "Kalmak Kyrylgan" ("a death place of the Kalmaks"), there took place a

large fight of the Kazakh rebels to Oyrats armies. This first large victory over the enemy was of great importance, it lifted a spirit of the people, inspired them on further fight. The initiative of war passed to the Kazakh rebels, the people and its soldiers believed in the forces to expel the enemy from the native lands.

The leaders of the Kazakh militia planned to strike a blow to Zhungars armies from three directions: military forces of the Senior zhuz had to pass the Syr-Darya around a confluence of the Shyryshk river, and, having passed through Keles – Badamsky ridge to the west of the mountain Kazykurt, to conduct an attack; a little to the north there were militia unit of the Middle zhuz, and the Junior zhuz – by Karatau's western slope.

In the spring of 1729 near the lake It- Ishpes in 120 km to the south from the Balkhash in northern spurs of Korday ridge (Zhambyl district) there was the largest battle of two contradictory forces which came to the end with a checkmate of armies of aggressors. The people christened this place by the capacious word "Anrakay", meaning "a place of groans and sobbing of the Kalmaks".

The victory won in Anrakay fight over superior forces of the enemy, was a result of association forces of a militia of all three Kazakh zhuzes. The survived Zhungars armies hastily receded, they were pursued till the Or river, where they, having crossed to the other side, came back to the territory of their khanate. Speaking about fight of 1729, a governor I. Neplyuev in his report stated to the Senate that "the Kazakhs proved to be brave soldiers".

In this fight there was brightly showed Abulkhair's talent of a military leader and personal courage who was carrying out the general management of the battle.

However this victory wasn't final. After Anrakay fight there was a split in the ranks of the Kazakh sultans. Its main reason was the fight for the supreme power in the Kazakh society. To the positon of the died senior khan of all zhuzes Bolat, (1730) laid claim from the Junior zhuz Abulkhair khan – the leader of all Kazakh militia, the influential statesman, the batyr played a leading role in a victory on the Jungars, and from the Middle zhuz Semeke khan. The choice fell on Abulmambet, the son Bolat khan. Abulkhair and Semeke considered themselves bypassed, having left a battle field, turned their armies to traditional places of constant nomad’s camp. Thereby, the irreparable blow was struck to common cause of final release of the Kazakh lands from the Zhungars conquerors.

Aggressive campaigns of armies of Zhungaria weakened economic and political connections between Kazakh zhuzes, in particular the Junior and the Middle with Senior. Kazakhstan remained the shattered country. At Tauke khan period, the beginning of centralization of the government started being loosened. Bolat khan (1718-1730) didn't manage to prevent strengthening of centrifugal tendencies that was one of the reasons of an aggravation of interfeudal fight, as well.

Despite defeat in Anrakay fight, Zhungars feudal lords continued to pose serious threat to Kazakh people, military collisions between the Oyrats (the Kalmaks) and the Kazakhs became frequent. Taking the power in Zhungaria

Galdan-Tseren started pursuing an aggressive policy against Kazakh khanates. Having concluded in the late thirties a truce with the Tsinsk yard of the Chinese empire, he started active military-political preparations again to subordinate to Zhungaria Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

The opportunity for implementation of a strategic plan of Zhungaria came in the early thirties when the Junior zhuz accepted the Russian citizenship and the Kazakh khanates were even more separated. In 1734 the Zhungars made the second invasion into the borders of Kazakhstan.

Under the guidance of Tole biy the closest associate, the young brave batyr, sardar (a leader) Koygeldy, in a short period of time there organized 30 thousand rebels among which there were also the Karakalpaks. Brave soldiers not only held out, but also forced enemy hordes to recede, gave freedom to Tashkent, Turkestan and other settlements of the South Kazakhstan and Zhetysu. Khans and sultans of the the Middle zhuz knew about the intentions of ruling class of Zhungaria, about what in the spring of 1735 batyr Bogenbay reported, referring to evidence of the Kazakhs escaping from Oyrat prisoner-of-war camp: Galdan-Tseren decided "To send to the Kaysaks of Middle Horde an army of twenty thousand". Imperial armies began to prepare for reflection of the enemy, but it took place only at the latest moment when the Oyrats had already intruded. It happened in the autumn of 1739, total number made about 30 thousand people.

The internal political situation of the Middle zhuz and all Kazakhstan, remained difficult because of continuous civil strives. Before attacking, the Zhungars through the spies were well informed on situation in the Kazakh khanates.

Having collected forces, the Oyrats in the autumn of 1740 again intruded on the territory of the Middle zhuz. This time they encountered powerful resistance, the Kazakh rebels put a number of unexpected blows. Having waited winter, at the end of February, 1741 the 30-thousand Zhungars army attacked again the Kazakh auls and by summer with fights moved to the west, to the Tobol and the Ishim. In summer battles one of the prominent batyrs of the Middle zhuz, sultan Ablay, with the closest associates was in captivity. The Kazakh embassy was sent to Zhungaria with an assignment to begin negotiations on conditions of a truce and release of the captured. The negotiations came to the end successfully, Ablay was released. It was furthered also by that in Zhungaria there were not ceaseless feudal intestine wars.

After returning from the captivity between the governor of Zhungaria Galdan- Tseren and Ablay established formal friendship which was remembered and after the death of Galdan-Tseren 1745. In the Zunghar khanate fight for a throne was developed, governors were taken turns. Being hostile and also secretly resisting to ruling of Lama Dorney noyon Davatsi – the descendant of the founder of the Zhungar khanate Bautura (1635 - 1654) and Galdan-Tseren’s son Amursana and their allies were crushed in internal wars and ran to Ablay.

Zhungars governors demanded return of these Oyrat princes. In case of refusal Lama Dorney threatened war. Kazakh and Zhungars relations became aggravated after Ablay and his influential batyrs Bogenbay, Daut-Tarkhan (son of Zhanybek), Zhapak, Sultan of Middle zhuz Eraly and the others agreed that on no account to give out to the Zhungars khan. Here the defined role was played by the friendly relations and feelings which had to each other Ablay and Davatsi. The main impulsive cause was to raise to an Oyrat throne his person and, thus, to put an end to aggression from Zhungaria and standing behind it Tsin China. Having been refused to give out Davatsi and other princes, the khan of Zhungaria decided to take them by force, having subdued the Kazakh khans. So, in September, 1752 the Oyrats army numbering 20 thousand soldiers, intruded on the territory of the Kazakh nomad’s camps. Having received data on attack, Ablay dispatched messengers with a request to go to the natural boundary Bayan aul. But he and his supporters didn't lose hope to settle the conflict peacefully, counting on the existing contract signed with Galdan-Tseren. However the Oyrats continued operations which were with variable success in the autumn and winter of 1753.

The Oyrats governor refused offers of Ablay to begin negotiations on the termination of military operations. Having thrown the main forces of armies into Kazakhstan, he left the rate without reliable cover, and Davatsi and Amursana used it and with troops of 600 soldiers, having made the hidden campaign, unexpectedly rushed in Urchu on January 12, 1753 and finished with Lama Dorney. Khan of Zhungaria proclaimed Davatsi who withdrew the armies from Kazakhstan and sent to Abulmambet khan and to sultan Ablay the message with the offer to live in peace and consent.

So the forward-looking policy of Ablay triumphed, his tendency to continuous negotiations. Foes posed him "east artful politician", in practice he always sought to strengthen the Kazakh khanate, to ensure its safety, getting from terrible Oyrats governors all new and new concessions. So once powerful centralized state on the Asian continent, in essence, stopped its existence. By 1758 the Chinese took considerable part of Zhungaria – modern Xinjiang, but the western boundaries of the Tsinsky empire didn't stretch further this province. In fight with the Zhungars the whole group of the brave batyrs moved forward, whose talent of a military leader was shown in decisive battles. They are Bogenbay, Kabanbay, Malaysary, Raimbek, Nauryzbay, Bayan, Iset, Koygeldy, Baygoza, Zhatay, Sauryk, Samen and others.

2) Kazakh and Russian relations have deep historical roots. Both sides were interested in mutual economic, trade and political relations.

Russian state showed interest in expansion of their frontiers to the east. Interest of the Russian state in Kazakhstan especially increased from the second half of the XV—XVI centuries, after the establishment of trade and diplomatic relations of Russia with the Middle Asian khanates.

Therefore the Moscow rulers sought for establishment of direct connections with the Kazakh khans. Ambassadorial communications played a big role in it. The

Russian embassy was sent to the Kazakh steppe for development of the trade with the Kazakhs at the head of Tretyak Chebukov in 1573.

However Chebukov's diplomatic mission did not reach borders of Kazakhstan as was exterminated by the nephew of the Siberian khan Kuchum Mametkul.

Joining of the Kazan (1552), Astrakhan (1556) khanates and South Western Siberia, establishment of the Kamsk trade way facilitated direct contacts with the Kazakh khanate.

Russian state set out intensive construction of the fortifications at the border with Kazakhstan. At the end of the XVI century the first Russian town on the territory of Siberia, which was located not far from the border of Kazakhstan was “Gorodok Obskoi bolshoi” on the right bank of the Ob river.Then Tumen (1586), Tobolsk (1587), Тaru (1594), Тоmsk (1604) were built.

The Russian state also needed allies in the fight against the Kuchum’s successors. As early as during the reign of Qasim khan Kazakh khanate entered into the diplomatic relations with the Moscow principality (under the Vasile III).

The first Kazakh ambassador Kul- Mukhammed arrived to Moscow in 1594. An envoy of Tauekel khan had to release khan’s nephew Oraz-Mukhammed, who was “amanat” (as hostage) in Moscow and to complete an amicable agreement with Russian government.

Both sides were interested in the trade and economic ties. If the Kazakhs purchase household goods and weapons, the Russians got different kinds of raw materials and cattle.

Kazakh khanate showed concernment in more trusting relationship with Russian state, striving to strengthen their international position in the condition of increasing external threat.

The Kazakhs were interested in the widening of contacts with Moscow against Middle Asian khanates.

The formation of Zhungar khanate (1635) also caused an essential change in Central Asia.

Tauke khan, being far-sighted politician, constantly strived to consolidate their state borders. Good neighbourly relations of Tauke to Russia was stipulated by his attempt to strengthen the situation in Kazakhstan supporting contacts with Russia.

In 1687 the Kazakh embassy was sent to Tobolsk led by batyr Tashim with an assignment to invite the Russian merchants to Kazakhstan. The structure of mission included the Kazakh dealers, intending to clear the ground for economic relations with Russian state through the Siberian towns.

In 1689 – the beginning of 1690 other embassy was sent to Tobolsk led by the Tuman batyr. However these communications were not issued legally, signing of concrete mutually favorable agreements. It was caused, on the one hand, by aspiration of the Kazakh owners to keep an independent condition of the khanate,

and on the other hand – with position of Russia which had busy with the Polish and Turkish affairs.

Domestic situation of Kazakh khanate also did not favourable to quiet development of its external economic links with Russia.

Haknazar, Tauke's and other Kazakh khans attempts to create a large centralized state finally did not crown with success. Lack of stable political and economic relations between zhuzes, intestine war of the Kazakh feudal top doomed the Kazakh people to the greatest disasters and destitutions.

Ch.Ch.Valikhanov wrote about this period: "The first decade of the XVIII century was awful time in life of the Kazakh people. The Zhungars, Volga Kalmyks, yaitsk Kazaks and the Bashkirs from the different parties smashed their uluses, drive away cattle and took away in captivity the whole families". From the South the Central Asian khanates, aspiring to tear away territories of Kazakhstan attacked. However Zungaria was the most dangerous enemy representing real threat for existence of Kazakh feudal state.

In 1717 certain leaders of Kazakhs sultans Kaip and Abulkhair, taking into account complexity of foreign policy situation of Kazakh clans and real threat from external opponents addressed to Peter the I with a request concerning the citizenship.

Peter the I being busy with war with Sweden and having data about internal disorders and intestine wars of the Kazakh clans did not decide on intervention in “the Kazakh affairs”.

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