The Development of Kazakh-Russian Trade Relations in the Activities of Sultan Abulfeis of the Middle Zhuz (1760s – early 1780s)
Развитие казахско-российских торговых отношений в деятельности султана Среднего жуза Абулфеиса (1760-е – начало 1780-х гг.)
Kenzhebayev G.K. Kabuldinov Z.Y. Chernienko D.A. Apendiyev T.A.
1 December 2025Cherkas Global University Press
Bylye Gody
2025#20Issue 41700 - 1709 pp.
In the second half of the 18th century, the conditions for the development of trade relations on the Kazakh-Russian border in the Upper Irtysh region began to take shape. During this period, the Russian Empire continued to pursue its strategic goal of strengthening its trade and economic positions in the East. The Semipalatinsk fortress became one of the main strongholds for the implementation of these plans. On the Kazakh side, the most consistent initiator of cooperation was Sultan Abulfais, the ruler of the Naimans and part of the Kereks of the Middle Zhuz. Abulfais took advantage of the transit location of his possessions between Russia and Central Asia, profiting from duties levied on the activities of Bukhara and Russian merchants and ensuring their safety. The Middle Zhuz sultans policy towards Russia was based on the principles of peaceful coexistence and the rejection of forceful methods of resolving problems in border areas. The stabilisation of the military and political situation after the defeat of the Dzungar State played an important role. It became possible to search for new places and routes for trade. The importance of the Priirtyshye region as a transit region between the Middle Zhuz, Russia, Central Asia, and Western China increased. The mutual interest lay in the functioning of satovkas and barter yards in border fortresses for the local population. The article reveals little-known aspects of Kazakh-Russian interaction in the 1660s–1680s and the significant personal role of Sultan Abulfeis in these processes. In addition, the sultans authorised representatives – influential elders and batyrs who were sent to border fortresses and acted as mediators in negotiations – played an important role. As a result, the Semipalatinsk fortress became not only a military and administrative centre, but also a major trade and economic hub for the Irtysh region and all of Eastern Kazakhstan, facilitating regular trade between the local nomadic population and Russian, Central Asian and Kashgar merchants. t
Abulfeis , barter trade , batyrs , border line , East Kazakhstan , exchange court , fortresses , Russian Empire , Semipalatinsk , sultan , trade
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Ch. Ch. Valikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty Management University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University
Ch. Ch. Valikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Almaty Management University
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026