South-Eastern Policy of Tsarizm

This article is devoted to the penetration of the Russian Empire to the territory of the Junior Horde of Kazakhs and the strengthening of Russian power in South Volga Region. Taking into consideration the ethnical origin and territorial contacts due to close proximity, cultural connections of Kazakhs and Bashkirs during the period under research, the article sheds light on the involvement of Kazakhs in Bashkir rebellions and looks into the changing character of the relations between these two Turkic ethnic groups. The nature of Orenburg expedition has been studied through the activities of the following rulers of the region: I.K. Kirillov, V.N. Tatishev, V.A. Urussov, I.I. Neplyuev. The construction of the city of Orenburg, the fortresses along the border with Bashkiriya and Western Kazakhstan, the colonization of the Orenburg region by Russians, and locating military units in a number of fortified cities was aimed at ensuring free and safe rear for further penetration into Central Asia. The issue of the participation of Kazakhs in Bashkir rebellion in 1737-1740 and its causes are under study. The author dwells on the decision of Bashkir officers to surrender to the reign of Kazakhs and to invite one of the Kazakh sultans to become a sovereign Bashkir khan. The attitude of Kazakhs toward Bashkirs is studied through the activity of Abulkhair, the Kazakh Junior Horde khan, Semeke, the Kazakh Middle Horde аnd sultans Abulmambet, Ablay and others. The author estimates the number of casualties during the rebellion and the number of refugees seeking asylum in the Kazakh steppe. The marriage of Abulkhair Khan to a daughter of a Bashkir officer is considered as one of the methods of Bashkir influence on the Kazakh khan.