Ablai Khan

It was terrible time. Endless wars were destroying the country. It was especially uneasy in the south-east of the Kazakh Khanate. In 1710 Bogenbai Batyr was chosen as a chief leader of the Kazakh army. Since that time he didn’t lay down arms. New people constantly came to join his army. One day a young man by the name of Sabalak came to him. This name means “unwashed, untidy and shaggyhaired”. He got his name in his childhood when he had nothing to eat and nowhere to stay. The famous general appointed him as his armor and sword-bearer. When the Dzungars invaded the Kazakh lands they saw an army coming towards them. This army was ready to stop them and protect the country form terrible enemies.

Before the battle began a brave warrior rode out. His name was Sharysh. He personified courage and embodied the military soul of the Dzungars. He had never been defeated and nobody could win against him in single combat. Young warrior Sabalak challenged to fight with him. The experienced Dzungar hero burst into laugher. He was sure in his victory. With a shout “Abilai” the youth attacked his enemy and killed him. Seeing it, the Kazakh cavalry rushed the enemy soliders with the same war-cry. The Dzungars were defeated and Sabalak became famous. Since that day Kazakh people began to call him as Abilai.

The real name of the young man was Abylmansur. He was born in 1711. He belonged to the senior branch of the descendants of the 15^th century Kazakh state founder Janybek khan. Abilai was elected a khan when he was 20 and for about half a century he successfully ruled his people. He was a wise politician and clever diplomat. Ablai Khan was a talented leader of the Kazakh army fighting the Dzungars. He took part in all battles against the DZubgars from the 1720s to the 1750s. He won a lot of victories. He was declared “hero” by his people.

Ablai Khan was a great leader and was respected by all his men. He was not interested in fame but only in helping his country. His aim was to create a strong and independent Kazakh khan. The vote was unanimous. Everyone called him to real leader of the country. Ablai was confirmed as the Kazakh khan by both the Chinese and the Russians.

He led numerous wars against the Kokand and Kyrgyzs. In the last was, his soldiers liberated many cities in Southern Kazakhstan and even captured Tashkent.

He ruled the country for ten years. For this period of time he was able to do a lot. But the main thing he did was to reunite the Kazakh nation with peace for many years. Ablai Khan died at the age of 70 in May 1781. He was buried in Turkestan. An amazing ancient blue marble tombstone decorates his grave. This marble was bought for three hundred beautiful and fast horses. Now one can see it in the Mausoleum where a real hero of the Kazakh people lies buried.