The Struggle of the Kazakhs in Central Asia Against the Reforms of the Russian Imperial Administration in the 19th Century
Karassayev G. Kenzhebaev G. Kaliev D. Naimanbayev B. Baktorazov S.
2025University of Ostrava
Historica (Ostrava)
2025#16Issue 2
The colonisation of the Kazakh steppes by the Russian administration began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century, Russia sought to expand its territory and political influence, as well as to strengthen its control over strategically important and resource-rich regions. The Statute Concerning the Administration of the Alien Peoples of 1822, drafted by M. Speransky, introduced new administrative structures and abolished the khan’s authority, which deprived the Kazakhs of traditional forms of governance and led to increased Russian control. The Russian authorities began to build fortresses and fortifications along the borders of the Kazakh steppes, such as the Orenburg and Novo-Iletskaya lines. Administrative reforms in 1867–1868 divided the Kazakh lands into provinces and uyezds, which finally consolidated Russian control over the territory. Four stages of protests against the colonial policy of the Russian Empire are identified; they include the defence of the traditional way of life (the Syrym movement), attempts to restore political independence (Kenesary Kasymov), rejection of new reforms (the struggles of the batyrs Zholaman, Yeset, Zhankozh, and the war of 1916), and political attempts to change the system (the Alash movement). The course and consequences of these uprisings are similarly examined. The aspirations of the Kazakhs in their resistance did not lead to the desired independence. The study concludes that the failures were caused by a mismatch between the level of supply, military training and technological novelty of weapons and the modern armament system of the Russian army at the time of the 19th century. The findings are crucial for understanding the evolution of Kazakh resistance and the impact of Russian colonial policy on the local population and the national consciousness of the Kazakhs.
Administrative Reforms , Colonisation , Kazakh Steppe , Liberation Uprisings , Nomads , Tsarist Imperialism
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Institute of State History of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, Kazakhstan
Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan
South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University named after U. Zhanibekov, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Taraz University named after M.Kh. Dulaty, Taraz, Kazakhstan
Institute of State History of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University named after U. Zhanibekov
Taraz University named after M.Kh. Dulaty
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Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026