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Articles dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Abylai Khan

Abylai Khan (real name — Abilmansur) — Kazakh statesman and politician, khan of the entire Kazakh Khanate (1771-1781). He was born in 1711 in Turkestan. At the age of 12, he lost his father, who was killed during the invasion of the Dzungarian juntaiji Tsevan Rabdan. In his youth, Abylai was nicknamed “Sabalak“ (Sabalak — shaggy), was an amanat in the Dzungarian headquarters, but was exchanged for another amanat — “the son of the Kazakh khan.“ After the death of Abilmambet Khan in 1771, one of his younger brothers or his son Abilpeiz was to inherit power. However, the sultans and heads of clans at the kurultai (congress) in Burabay elected Abylai Khan. He extended his power to significant areas of the Elder and Younger Zhuzes, considering himself the khan of all three Zhuzes. During the peasant War of 1773-1775 Abylai met with Yemelyan Pugachev, promising him support. At the same time, he negotiated with representatives of the Russian government, assuring them of his loyalty to him. Ties with the rebels weakened after Pugachev‘s departure to the Volga region. In 1778, Abylai was confirmed by Empress Catherine II as Khan of only the Middle Zhuz. Abylai Khan left behind 30 sons. He was buried in the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan.

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