On the Issue of Khan Abylay's Protection of the Interests of His Subjects

This article examines the foreign policy activities of Abylai Khan, his role in defending the interests of his subjects, and maintaining independence before the Russian Empire.The article draws on sources, analyzes office documentation, numerous letters from Abylai, extracted from archives, collections of documents, giving an idea of the whole range of Kazakh-Russian relations near the fortresses that were built by the Russian Empire on the territory of the Kazakh Khanate.As a result of the study of written sources, letters from Abylai sent to Russian officials and officers, numerous historical facts related to violations of the rights of Kazakhs were revealed.The article presents diverse conflicts in the border zone between the Kazakhs, Bashkirs, Kalmyks, Cossacks, and the military, which led to the Russian authorities illegally capturing Kazakhs, stealing cattle, hiding fugitive Kazakh subjects, and violating property rights and religious rights of the autochthonous population.The article reveals the active diplomatic correspondence carried out by Abylai, demonstrates the desire to maintain parity in Kazakh-Russian relations, the requirements for compliance with existing agreements with the Russian Empire shows his independence and initiative, responsibility in making difficult decisions.A generalization of numerous facts allows the authors to conclude that Abylay, throughout the entire period of his reign as a sultan and then as a khan, was an outstanding statesman who scrupulously defended the interests of his people.Realizing all the military-technical power of the Russian Empire, trying to protect his people and preserve the independence of the Kazakh people, he chose the diplomatic path of resolving all controversial and conflict situations without exposing the population to the risk of military conflict.