SPIRIT OF THE GREAT ABUL KHAIR KHAN

On boundless Kazakh expanses were composed many legends and tales about the exploits of Kazakh batyr’s and warlords. Each such feat forever left its mark on the soul of the Kazakh people. Thanks to the great achievements in the field of military commander we will always remember Abul Khair Khan, as one of the major figures in the formation of the Kazakh khanate. In the ethno-memorial complex “Atameken” you, too, can get in touch with the historical person of Abul Khair Khan, only here you have an opportunity to see all beauty and deep meaning of a cultural monument.

Abul Khair Muhambet Ghazi Bahadur Khan (1693-1748), the great commander, politician and diplomat. Since young years actively I participated in military campaigns and attacks. At the age of 17, he was elected one of the military leaders of the Kazakh militia, the General management of which was carried out by Batyr Bogenbai.

In 1718, Abul Khair was elected Khan of the Younger Zhuz. At the head of the 30,000-strong army, he opposed the dzungar, the most significant was the battle on the Ayaguz river. He was famous for his personal courage, military skill and leadership qualities. It is no accident that in 1726 at the congress of Kazakhs three zhuzes in Ordabasy, the Khan Abul Khair was unanimously elected captain-general of the Kazakh Khanate, combining the art of the commander and the talent of the diplomat.

The combined forces under the leadership of Abul Khair in 1729 in the battle of Aniracay and in 1730 in a battle in the area of It Ishpes defeated the dzungar and gained a complete victory. But the captain-general understood that the militia of the Kazakhs could not resist the Dzungar Khanate and began negotiations with the Siberian administration of Russia about a military alliance. In September 1730, a representative of Abul Khair was sent to Moscow with a request to accept Kazakhs into Russian subjection. And already on February 19, 1731, the Empress Anna Ioannovna signed a charter on the voluntary entry of the Younger Zhuz into Russia.

In 2015, in celebration of the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh khanate, near the village of Tolebi, Aiteke bi district, on the burial place of Abul Khair Khan was opened a memorial complex “Khan molasy”. The complex consists of a mausoleum over the grave of Khan and a commemorative plaque, representing a high stylobate, center of which soar three steles-banner, covered with signs of all Kazakh tribes.