Historical Events, Social and Political Situation in the Period When Abay Kunanbayev Was Raised

Abay Kunanbay, considered the founder of Kazakh written literature, is the most important representative of modern Kazakh literature. When Abay’s works and especially his dark words are examined, it is seen that the ideas in the work undertake an important task in educating future generations. Abay Kunanbay touched upon social and political issues in his works. Various events during Abay’s period influenced the people as well as Abay. The years 1845-1904 cover the dates when the Kazakh steppes were taken under the rule of Tsarist Russia and the collapse of Tsarist Russia accelerated. Kazakhs faced various oppressions and tortures during this period. Despite all the tortures and freedom movements, Kazakh intellectuals managed to revive a vanishing people and bring them to the stage of history. Works were written that called on the Kazakh people to fight against Russian colonialism. An important feature of Abay’s works written during this period is that they contain enlightened ideas that guided the Kazakh people’s struggle for independence in later periods. In order to understand Abay Kunanbay and his works well, it is necessary to know the social and political events of the period in which he lived.