Makhambet Otemisuly (Utemisov)(1803–1846) a famous “akyn” – poet, composer and performer of music songs – “kuys”, one of the organizers of the people’s liberation uprising of 1836-1838 in the Bokey Horde. He was a patriot who dreamed of the liberation of the Kazakh people. His fiery poems reflected the aspirations of the rebels and the sorrows of the people.
Biography
Makhambet Otemisuly was born in 1803 in Zhaskus locality, situated in the Naryn desert, current Zhanibek region in Western Kazakhstan. It is necessary to keep in mind the fact that researchers do not have accurate information about the year and place of birth of him and their data do not match. If a number of researchers say that he was born in 1803, others are of the opinion that he was born in 1804. Such venerable scientists, historians as Y. Bekmakhanov, M. Kozybayev date the appearance of Makhambet to 1803. The famous historian I. Kenzhaliyev in his work specifically claims that he was born in Beketay on the “Inner side”, after called in the Russian Empire as “Inner / Bokey Horde” [1, p. 42], in the present Zhanakalinsk region of Western Kazakhstan region. Many prominent researchers naturally held this opinion, referring to the fact that Zhangir Khan in May 1836, accusing Makhambet of murdering Kushik Zhaparov, filed a report to the Orenburg border Commission. Mahambet Otemisuly replied in writing to the investigator of the Commission organized in connection with this case: “My name is Mukhamet Utemisov, I am 33 years old, a Muslim by religion, I know Tatar literacy, I can read and write a little in Russian” [2, p. 138]. This response of Makhambet was adopted in November-December 1836. So, the opinion that Mahambet Otemisuly was born in 1803 is quite justified. However, researchers who hold opinions about his birth in 1804 also try to prove their point by referring to archival documents. During the interrogation during the investigation conducted on November 7, 1841, Makhambet indicated that he was 37 years old. For this reason, researchers believe that Makhambet Otemisuly was born in 1804. In our opinion, Makhambet Otemisuly indicated this because in 1841 he was less than 38 years old. Therefore, there is every reason to believe that he was born in 1803. As for the place of birth, historiography has established an opinion about the locality of Zhaskus in the Naryn desert. The famous historian I. Kenzhalyiev, scientists K. Sydykov and A. Saray hold the opinion that Makhambet was born not in the place of Zhaskus, but in the Naryn desert in Beketay. When Bokey Sultan moved to the Inner Horde in 1801, the site of Mahambet’s father, Utemis, was located near Beketai, which confirms the correctness of this opinion.
Historical data show that Makhambet Otemisuly from an early age absorbed the works of famous akyns and zhyraus of the great steppe, having a strong thirst for knowledge from an early age. In accordance with his time, he mastered the Muslim language, along with Russian, Tatar and Arabic languages. V.F. Shakhmatov in his work called “The Inner Horde and the uprising of Isatay Taimanov” writes that in those days a person who knew so many languages was a rarity among the inhabitants of the Horde and it is unknown where he learned them [3, p. 246]. His father, Otemis, was considered in its area as influential Biy, and his grandfather Kulmala for its time was a very special person. He was from a family Berish of Baiuly tribe. Makhambet left such data in his poems:
Otemisten on edik [We are ten son of Otemis],
Onymyz atka mingende [When we are riding horse],
Zherkaiyskan kol edik [We become a strong power].
From this we can assume that there were ten male descendants from Otemis. All these ten sons named Bekmukhambet, Kozhakhmet, Suleiman, Kassen, Ismail, Dosmail, and Ibrahim were active participants in the liberation movement and were close to Makhambet [4, p. 131].
The brothers Bekmukhambet, Kozhakhmet, Suleiman, Kassen, Ismail, Dosmail, Ibrahim, and Makhambet Otemisuly were highly respected by the people and were people who knew how to lead society. Their father Otemis was a foreman and led the family, then his sons Toktamys and Bekmukhambet-brothers of Makhambet, also became foremen. Historical data that have come down to us and subsequent research work prove that Otemis and his offspring were distinguished by a strong character, characteristic of people who know how to face the truth directly. Anes Saray in his work writes “Otemis was one of the 19 biys of Berish, who outshone many with his oratory in the debate”. It is known that individuals who always put the aspirations and interests of the people above all else did not always suit the ruling circles of their time. That’s out of this confrontation between the leader of the house of Berish Suinishkali and father Makhambet, Otemis had not good relations. In 1816, Sultan Suinishkali and his men raided the village of Otemis. Otemis’ statement to the Russian colonial administration about the Sultan’s actions had no positive results. On the contrary, during the proceedings on this application, Otemis himself was charged, Makhambet’s father was taken into custody and died in custody on November 2, 1817 [5, p. 30]. So Makhambet Otemisuly after losing his father in early youth grew up under the supervision of his mother.
The mother was able to give a decent upbringing to her son, which indicates her uniqueness. Makhambet’s mother was from the Kosuan family, who were reputed to be brave people. Along with the fact that Makhambet was fluent in several languages, their mother paid enough attention to his different-age education. Of course, in this series, it should be noted that Isatay Taimanuly had a special influence on the growth and development of Makhambet and its proximity to the people. For example, in one of the poems dedicated to Zhangir Khan, the poet wrote:
Arystan edi-au Isatay [Issatay was as a lion],
Netesin taksyr tabalap [Why you condemn him],
Bauyrynda panalap [Taking care of him], –
and such lines are proof of our words. Note that not only the Makhambet, but all the sons of Otemis from young ages were under the supervision of Isatay Taimanuly. Therefore, during the years of the liberation movement, some of the descendants of Otemis supported Isatay, becoming active participants in the liberation movement.
In 1829, Makhambet Otemisuly was accused of illegally entering the Inner Horde, having been imprisoned for one year in the Kalmyk fortress. However, during the mass spread of typhus, he escaped from prison, but was subsequently acquitted by the decision of the military Governor, count Sukhtelen [6, p. 222].
In some research papers, it is mentioned that in 1824-1828, Makhambet was the tutor of son of Zhangir Khan, who studied in Orenburg and for some time he lived in this city. However, I. Kenzhaliev, who has been studying this problem for many years, noted in the work “Isatay-Makhambet” that it is not known in what years Makhambet was near Zulkarnai, who studied in the Neplyuev cadet corps. He noted: “We found in the Central state archive of the Kazakh SSR a letter from Zhangir Khan dated March 9, 1833 to the military Governor of Orenburg. In it, he wrote that he asks to take his 9-year-old son Zulkar to the Neplyuev military school. This request was accepted, and in the same year, on May 14, the Ural Cossack ataman took the children to the city of Uralsk. Apparently, Makhambet arrived in Orenburg with Zulkarnai at the same time,” he concludes [7, p. 126-127]. According to the researchers, during his stay in this city, Makhambet Otemisuly was able to learn Russian and other languages. However, if we take into account the course of historical events, Makhambet Otemisuly could not stay near Zulkarnai for a long time, because in the subsequent 1834, Makhambet Otemisuly became an active participant in the political struggle, and also in the same year he was appointed a foreman. Undoubtedly, this step can be interpreted as a political ploy on the part of Zhangir Khan: recognizing Makhambet as the main inspirer of the liberation movement led by Isatai, the Khan assigned him the rank of a foreman to change his political beliefs. However, this trick did not yield any results.
In many ways, the name of Makhambet Otemisuly is closely associated with the national liberation movement in Bokey Horde of 1836-1838. Discontent among the people with the rule of Zhangir Khan and the colonization policy of the tsarist government influenced the formation of his political views and beliefs. Still, before these historical events, Makhambet was considered an approximate Zhangir Khan, who initiated a number of transformations for the Kazakhs. Despite the fact that Makhambet was for some time with the son of Zhangir Khan in the city of Orenburg, after a while he switched to the side of the rebellious people, becoming one of the organizers of the liberation movement.
In the history of Makhambet Otemisuly’s life, a special place is occupied by the people’s liberation movement in Bokey Horde of 1836-1838, of which he was one of the organizers. The people’s liberation movement in its content was directed against the colonization policy of the Tsar and his henchman, Zhangir Khan. The main driving force of the revolt was the peasants who suffered under the double oppression of the Tsar and Zhangir Khan. The revolt involved people who were dissatisfied with the inept leadership of Zhangir Khan, as well as well-known elders and Biy, who put the interests of the people above their personal benefits.
The first skirmishes during the uprising began on March 24, 1836, with a clash between Karaulkozha Babajanov (Babajanov) and Isatay Taimanuly. At the beginning, Isatay Taimanuly and Makhambet Otemisuly tried to resolve issues that caused discontent among the people, not by military means, but through negotiations with Zhangir Khan. In June 1836, Isatay Taimanuly and Mahambet Otemisuly and their associates went to Zhangir Khan to talk about their arguments. However, Zhangir Khan, interrupting the negotiations, on the contrary, was engaged not in solving problems, but in preparing for an imminent clash. However, in the beginning, Zhangir Khan sought to implement a non-military scenario. So, in one of the letters sent to Isatay and Makhambet, he writes: “Knowing Your mind and heart, I do not want to lose faith in you, I demand that you immediately come to me for negotiations in order to know your intentions more accurately”. However, these negotiations have reached an impasse and have not really resolved anything. Khan’s advisers probably had a lot of influence on this. As a result, on March 17, 1836, Zhangir Khan ordered the foremen and Biy to seize Isatay Taimanuly and Mahambet Otemisuly as troublemakers.
In November 1836, there was another attempt to present Makhambet Otemisuly to the masses as a criminal. This attempt was organized by Karauylkozha. According to him, in 1828, Makhambet illegally transported goods from Khiva, and for these actions was arrested [8, p. 9]. Of course, these actions were an attempt to increase the severity of Makhambet’s “crime”.
On May 7, 1836, Zhangir Khan, accusing Makhambet of murdering a man from Bokey Horde, Kushik Zhaparov, sent a complaint to the Orenburg border Commission. The complaint was sent in the form of a report sent to the Governor-General V.A. Perovsky. As a result, a special Commission was created to investigate the death of shepherd Kushik Zhaparov. During the investigation from November 8 to December 10, 1836, Mahambet Otemisuly gives the investigator such valuable information about himself: “My name is Mukhamet Utemisov, I am 33 years old, a Muslim by religion, I know Tatar literacy, I can read and write a little in Russian” [9, p. 138].
Regarding the death of Kushik Zhapparov on December 10, 1836, Isatay’s son, Zhakiya, was interviewed. As a result, a court decision was issued, which stated that both Makhambet and Isatay had nothing to do with the death of Kushik Zhaparov. There is no doubt that this decision contradicted the plans of Zhangir Khan. Of course, charging the two instigators of the uprising with the murder of a man and taking them into custody should have made a big difference in the course of the uprising. However, the decision about their innocence could not be made by Zhangir Khan. The ruler of the Horde writes a letter to the Orenburg military Governor V.A. Perovsky, in which he pointed out that Isatai and Makhambet are under pressure and stressed that the death of Kushik Zhaparov is also on their conscience. At the same time, in order to convince V.A. Perovsky of the truth of the charges, Balky Biy’s complaint against Isatay and Makhambet was attached to the letter. The importance of the arrest of Isatai and Makhambet for Zhangir Khan can be seen from a letter from major General Gens to the Omsk military Governor V.A. Perovsky. The following information was saved in that letter: “As indicated in the records of the Commission, foreman I. Taimanov provided great assistance in the search for fugitives in the territory of the Inner Horde. You know that yourself. But Zhangir Khan convincingly asks that Isatay Taimanov and Makhambet Utemisov be arrested. Therefore, he believes that these two people are harmful to the solution of issues that concern the tranquility of the Inner Horde”.
The year 1837 in the history of the insurrection was a stage of great ascent. It was in this year that the rebels were able to unite all their forces not only against the supporters of the Khan, but against the Khan himself. During this period, the number of rebels increased several times. on June 4, 1837, the rebels attacked the village of Balki, defeating its people during the battle.
On September 16, 1837, the rebels, led by Makhambet Otemisuly, defeated the village of Karaulkozha Babazhanov, which was famous for the oppression of the people, out of which they distributed 550 horses and 95 camels to the poor. In the morning, 30 people were released from the 50 held. At the same time, Makhambet Otemisuly blocked the villages of Zhangir Khan’s relatives such as Shoki Nuralyiev, Tauke Bukeikhanov, Zhanbobek Begalyiev, and also arrested the sultans of Kuanysh and Aydanali, keeping them in captivity. In addition to the blockade, the rebels led by Isatay and Makhambet poisoned special squads in order to capture the sultans named above. Sultans have a fear, and they were forced to hide in Glinianka outpost.
In November 1837, Isatay and Makhambet organized an assault on the Khan’s headquarters, and more than two thousand rebels surrounded the Horde. Meanwhile, Zhangir Khan did not have enough military forces to resist them. Confident in the imminent victory of the rebels, Zhangir Khan called Isatai to agree, and asked for time to fulfill their demands. And the rebels demanded to remove the Biy’s Posts and the Khoja Guard from the Khan’s entourage, and to give the reins of power to the elders of the clans. It was a Ruse on the part of Zhangir Khan to buy time. By that time, Russian-Cossack military reinforcements under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Geke had arrived from Orenburg to help the Khan. Thus, Zhangir Khan achieved his goal-gained time to confront Isatay. On November 15, 1837, during the battle of the rebels with 700 Russian Cossacks armed with two guns and 400 warriors, the town of Tastobe became a battlefield. As soon as Lieutenant Colonel Geke gave the order to fire guns at the rebels, they were seized with fear, and this was the direct cause of their defeat. Having lost sixty dzhigits, unable to resist superior punishers, the rebels were divided into several groups. In order not to fall into the hands of a strong enemy, Isatay with a small group of zhigits had to retreat [10, p. 150-152].
The battle of Akbulak, which took place on July 12, 1838, between insurgent detachments and the armed forces under the command of Colonel Geke, was important in the life of Makhambet Otemisuly. A hail of cannon shells immediately knocked down the ranks of the rebels and created fear in them, the detachment led by Makhambet could not resist and was forced to retreat. The retreating rebels had thrown a fresh detachment of Sultan Baimagambetov Isakova. Makhambet inspired the sarbazs to repel the Sultan’s advancing force, forcing it to retreat. At this time, from the rear of the rebels, a hundred Russian Cossacks began to surround them. Unable to withstand the onslaught of overwhelming enemy forces, the rebels were forced to retreat back, and the leader of the liberation movement Isatay died in this guard. Of course, after the death of Isatay, the struggle subsided a little. After the uprising, the policy of persecution against the Makhambet Otemisuly did not stop.
After the battle lost by Isatay Taimanuly on the Bank of the Akbulak river, Mahambet Otemisuly, along with Sultan Kayipkali, moved to the territory of the Khiva khanate. Until January 1839, there is very little information about his life. In January of the same year the Sultan Asfandiar Segalin, which had pastures in the Caspian lands was handed a letter to the village Otemisuly. This letter was addressed to the Kazakh elders of these places. Asfandiar Segalin sent this letter to the Chairman of the Border Commission. In a letter, Makhambet Otemisuly let his former colleagues know that he was alive and well and had returned safely from Khiva, and told them that it was not possible to return to his native land because of the great danger. The letter contains important information that established a connection to the village Otemisuly with the Khivan Khan Alakula. Makhambet Otemisuly takes permission from Khan Alakul that if the Kazakhs continue to feel pressure from the Russian Tsar, they will move to the side of Khiva. Without a doubt, this proves that Makhambet established a close relationship with Khan Alakul and is the main indicator of the Batyr’s diplomatic qualities. At the same time, the direction of the letter to the Kazakh elders shows that Mahambet Otemisuly has undoubtedly kept the political situation under his close attention until now. In his letter, the poet informs everyone about the support of the Khiva Khan Alakul and the creation of a military militia by the Sultan of Kaipkali. Judging by this, Batyr has not yet renounced the idea of rebelling against the local rulers, who were the conductors of the colonial policy of tsarist Russia.
In the month of October 1839, Makhambet Otemisuly arrived in Bokey Horde. Zhangir Khan described this in his report in December 1840. Although Zhangir Khan gave an order to Sultan Adil Bukeikhanov to find Makhambet and arrest him, but this did not yield results.
In December 1840, Makhambet Otemisuly, along with his militia, recaptured and stole 35 horses from the Berish family chief Aktay Munayev, and then crossed the Urals, settling in Sarykol.
In July 1840, the Kazakhs under the leadership of Makhambet Otemisuly attacked the militia of major-General Zhemchuzhnikov. According to the story of B. Berdalyiev, who was the guide of the General’s detachment, the number of Kazakhs who made the raid was about 200 people. This indicates that the spirit of the rebellion has not yet been extinguished.
In January 1841, the military Governor instructed the ataman of the Ural militia to arrest Makhambet Otemisuly. The same indication is given to Baimuhambetov Isakov. He in turn shifts the execution of this order to Asfendiyar Segalin, but this does not give results. After Murtaza Uzbekkalyiev informs on March 4 that Makhambet Otemisuly is hiding in auls on the seashore, the heads of the Ural military detachment, such as Golunov, Vedernikov and Khokhlov, having caught Batyr, hand him over to the military field court in Orenburg. As a result, on March 1, 1841, Makhambet Otemisuly was sent to the Orenburg prison. And here were compiled the following information about Makhambet: “Makhambet Utemisov is 37 years old, and his hair, mustache and beard are black, and his eyes are brown”. On March 31, Makhambet’s case was sent to the Orenburg military court. Researcher Alexander Ryazanov believes that the end of life and death Makhambet Otemisuly need to look here [11, p. 99-100]. However, as subsequent historical events have shown, the life of the famous poet-tribune did not end here. It was on June 24, 1841, that Otemisuly was deported to the Junior Zhuz to the lands belonging to Sultan A. Zhantorin, on the territory of the present city of Aktobe [12, p. 7-10]. He was forbidden to go to the city or to the Bukeev Horde.
In the period from 1841 to 1843 the life of Makhambet Otemisuly took place in these parts. In these years, his poems and kuys were born, where the longing for colleagues and past days passed like a red thread.
In 1845, Makhambet Otemisuly came to the city of Orenburg in order to write a petition to the Orenburg border Commission to accept the ten-year-old son of Nursultan for study. If people want to educate their children, any Kazakh was required to take a certificate from the local ruler or Sultan about their origin. At the request of Mahambet Otemisuly, a request was sent to the Sultan on February 9. As one of the organizers of the liberation movement, he was ordered to immediately return to his place of residence.
It is known that Sultan Aishuakov spoke very negatively about Makhambet Otemisuly, letting us know that no is a danger to the Bokey Horde. Along with this, the Sultan, sending another letter, accuses him of horse theft, pointing out that Makhambet Otemisuly on May 12, 1845, stole horses from rich person of Bokey Horde Tunganshin. It also informs that fugitive thieves of Bokey Horde find shelter at Makhambet.
On August 3, 1845, the elders and biys of the Alash family finally expelled Makhambet from the territory of the Inner Horde on the basis of public opinion that he always called for rebellion. Signed up for twelve foremen, and biys. This decision greatly influenced the future of Makhambet. Then on September 7 of this year, the Border Commission orders the detention of Otemisuly, and its execution is taken under the responsibility of Sultan Baimagambet. In October 1846 for the detention of Makhambet, Aishuakov sent 20 people in the head Ykylas Tuleyev, Zhanbergen Bozdakov, Torezhan Turumov, Mussa Nuralin, Zhussup Uteuliyev. After arriving at Makhambet’s nomad, Torezhan Turumov said that he had come to acquaint him with the Sultan’s decision to return the stolen horses, and had tricked him into entering Makhambet’s house. At this time, Ykylas Tuleyev and Mussa Nuralin, entering the house and demanding the return of the horses, specially escalated the situation to cause the batyr to conflict. When Makhambet Otemisuly tried to prove that he was innocent, they attacked him, and as a result of a short fight, Zhusip Uteulyiev cut off the head of Makhambet. Then they seized 8 horses and 4 camels of Makhambet and delivered the head of batyr and his captive younger brother to Sultan Baimagambet. Sultan Baimagambetov, explaining the essence of the Boundary Commission, accused Otemisuly that he first used the weapon and tried to kill people Sultan Baimagambetov. A Commission was set up to find out the circumstances of Makhambet’s death, but its work had no result [3, pp. 250-252]. If we remember that 500 rubles were promised for the head of Makhambet Otemisuly, then the spring of events unfolded not in the direction of arrest, but in the direction of his murder. On October 20, 1846, Makhambet Otemisuly was killed by assassins in the town of Karaoi.
Merit
The life and social activities of Makhambet Otemisuly were constantly accompanied by difficulties that coincide with difficult periods in the history of the Kazakh people. In historiography, there are enough research papers that reveal the historical image of the poet and batyr. According to researchers, M. Otemisuly was an outstanding representative of the liberation movement of the Kazakhs against the colonial policy of the first half of the XIX century, as well as an ardent mouthpiece of the liberation movement under the leadership of Isatay Taimanuly. The historical image of Makhambet Otemisuly became an example of love for the Motherland and personified the heroic qualities of the Kazakh people. Makhambet wrote his works in different genres, was a poet, a master of the ancient art of the kuys, promoted the ideas of freedom and unity of the people, and issues of statehood.
The reasons for the liberation struggle in 1836-1838 in Bokey Horde prove that Makhambet Otemisuly was a historical figure who put the interests of the people above all else. The revolt, one of the organizers of which was Makhambet, broke out from the lack of land as a result of the colonial policy of the tsarist government. For example, in the bukeev Horde, where the uprising began in the 30s, about 80 thousand people lived, 20 thousand of them suffered from a lack of land. The main reason for the uprising lay in the arbitrariness of the tsarist officials and their cronies, who took away the fertile land from the people. Interestingly, these selected lands were leased back to ordinary Kazakhs and along with this it became the norm to collect taxes from them. As we can see, this was an open robbery of the common people. In General, the lack of land in Bokey Horde was burdensome for the common people. Many simple nomads did not have the strength and resources to purchase or lease land. At that time, according to estimates of the Khan’s rate, 6-7 thousand families or a quarter of the residents were landless [13, p. 135]. However, historical data indicate that this figure was much higher. In General, according to the data of 1834, 16,500 families were registered in the Bokey Horde, including 3600 families from the berish family, 2000 from the sherkesh family, 1980 from the Baibakty family, and 1700 from the Alasha family. Along with this, the census recorded other minor genera. If we analyze the data for this year, 109,300 people lived in Bokey Horde.
Remarkably, the land was not distributed evenly. 273 thousand desyatins of land were distributed to Kazakh feudal lords and transferred to the estates of the Russian landowners who were notable at that time, Yussupov and Bezborodko. Zhangir Khan appropriated 400 thousand desyatins, his relative Karaulkozha Babazhanov (Babajanov) took 700 thousand desyatins of land, and collected taxes from the Kazakhs who rented these lands. There are cross-views among historians about Karaulkozha Babazhanov. When describing the history of the revolt of Isatay Taimanuly and Makhambet Otemisuly, Karaulkozha is mentioned as the father-in-law of Zhangir Khan, and the reasons for his leadership in land appropriation are linked to this related factor. However, in the run-up to and during the uprising, Karaulkozha was not yet Zhangir Khan’s father-in-law. About this, the historian Kushim Yesmagambetov cites the following data: “Researchers indicate that the Karaulkozha was the father-in-law of Zhangir Khan, this does not correspond to the truth. Zhangir Khan married the fourth daughter of Karaulkozha Salih in 1844” [14, p. 106]. So at the beginning of the uprising, there were no family ties between Zhangir Khan and Karaulkozha Babazhanov.
During these years, the Kazakhs of the Junior Zhuz were in poverty, because their nomads were surrounded by Russian settlements and villages, and the Kazakhs had to pay them for the transition to their territory. For example, Kazakhs paid 10 rubles per family for crossing the territory, and ten rubles for each head of cattle and a cart loaded with hay. This situation meant that their livestock-based life support system was in crisis. The colonial policy, which had a heavy impact on the people, forced Makhambet to join the ranks of opposition groups, proving himself a worthy son of his people.
There are grounds to assert that Zhangir Khan, who was appointed to the Khan’s throne in 1823, failed to implement the land policy correctly. On the specifics of Zhangir Khan’s land policy, historian M. Koigeldyiev expressed this opinion: “Zhangir Khan in the land issue showed himself not as a progressive reformer, but as a representative of the serf order, which was rejected by all democratic Russia, and his land policy did not take into account the interests of the common people”. The following entry by f also deserves attention writings of F. Engels of August 2, 1827, in which there are these lines: “the Khan of the Bokey Horde and the sultans are short of land. Since the pastures allocated for them with juicy grasses and rich reservoirs passed into the property of private individuals and Ural Cossacks. And at the same time, they pointed out that the government’s permission for the Kazakhs to move from the Yaitskaya side to the Naryn deserts for the winter causes damage to the bukeev Horde. Auls that migrated from different parts of the Kazakh steppe created a riot within the Horde because of the lack of land and the increase in population”.
The analysis of historical events of that time showed that the land reform carried out by Zhangir Khan did not meet the interests of the common people. This policy partly reflected the interests of Russian landlords, Tatar landowners, and the Cossack militia, but most of the fertile land was distributed between the Khan and his entourage. As a result, fertile lands were distributed, and the common people became dependent on them. This has led to increased social divisions and the spread of bribery. There was an increase in theft in the khanate, and instability began to manifest itself. All this was the cause of the national liberation uprising in Bokey Horde under the leadership of I. Taimanuly and M. Otemisuly in 1836-1838 years.
The active participation of the common people of Bokey Horde in the uprising under the leadership of Isatai and Makhambet indicates that both individuals pursued the interests of the people. About this in his work Amangeldy Shamgonov wrote: “Isatay and Makhambet in the summer of 1836 began to rally around themselves dissatisfied with the tsarist government and oppressors of the peasants. Offended by the bays and biys, peasants singly, sometimes in groups, or all over the village began to join the rebels. The nomads who were under the yoke of such bais as Karaulkozha and Balky, Tulegen Tynyshtykov and Shombal, Aigan and Karaboken joined the rebels, then all the peasants of the auls of the Samara steppes and many people from the banks of the Yaik joined them. For example, from the village of Aigana biy ran 39 people, beating Tulegen Tynystanov – 30, from the village elders Agym Aibulatov – 24, from the authority of Biy Karaboken – 14 people from the village elders and the Zhumagazy Bayarov ran 15 people joining the rebels. From deserts to Naryn Isatay joined 10 villages, Tulegen Sarekenov – a village of 30 people. In a short time, the number of rebels increased to 700-800 people. If you ask yourself what influenced the sharp increase in the number of rebels in the bukeev Horde-first of all, it is the unresolved pressing issues, and secondly, it is the fervor of Makhambet’s poems, his authority in society. None of the authors who wrote about the rebellion, not left negative opinions about Makhambet Otemisuly. For example, Y.P. Kovalevsky in his work reports a short conversation with Makhambet, describing him as an intelligent person and speaker. “He proves his words according to the Koran, not as in the madrassas of Bukhara and Samarkand, but brings his thoughts with his thoughts and deep knowledge” [15, p. 82]. Socially vulnerable layers of Kazakh society could follow such a smart person with brilliant oratorical abilities. The rebels initially raided the villages of Karaulkozha and his entourage, forcing Zhangir Khan to ask for help from the Russian government.
Mahambet Otemisuly was not only a batyr and a poet, but an excellent negotiator who knew the rules of international relations. Makhambet Otemisuly’s diplomatic qualities can be traced in establishing strong ties with Khan Alakul of Khiva and in negotiations with Royal officials. For example, after the uprising of Isatai family Taimanuly was a prisoner of the Sultan Baimagambetov. And at this time, Makhambet Otemisuly, on the instructions of Isatay Taimanuly, in those years, together with the shekta family, who sided with the opposition, established a connection with Yesset Kotibaruly in order to exchange the Isatay family for Russian prisoners. Makhambet Otemisuly negotiated with an officer of the tsarist government, Aitov, and secured the release of the Isatai family from captivity in exchange for Russian prisoners [3, p.244-245]. Even Russian officials who came to the Kazakh steppe were forced to establish contact with Makhambet for their own safety. Undoubtedly, this means that Makhambet Otemisuly was a deeply revered person in the Kazakh steppe. Therefore, in 1841, when a detachment led by Sultan Uzbekkaliev arrested Makhambet Otemisuly, the Orenburg military court acquitted him. Here and at this time Russian officials have supported and tried to justify Makhambet. As a result, Mahambet Otemisuly was released and warned that if he crossed into the territory of the Inner Horde, he would be severely punished. If we keep in mind that the tsarist government severely punished the organizers of the liberation movement, then no persecution was applied to Makhambet Otemisuly. An interesting fact is that the decree on the release of Makhambet was issued in secret from Zhangir Khan. even after the release of Makhambet, Zhangir Khan did not stop writing letters to the Border Commission that the release of the poet was particularly dangerous for peace in the district.
Makhambet Otemisuly was not only the organizer of the liberation movement, but also a great akyn who surprised linguists. All the aspirations of the rebels were reflected in his fiery poems. These are the lines of the poet’s poems:
Edildin boiy en togai [There are many trees over Yedil],
El kondyrsam dep edim [Want to settle there people].
Zhagalai zhatkan sol elge [And there want to have],
Mal toltyrsam dep edim [Full of animals enough],–
these lines fully reflects the idea of freedom. It would not be a mistake to say that the poet sang the truth without looking back at high ranks, without refraining from words – this is the originality of Mahambet Otemisula’s poems. Batyr’s poems agitated people for freedom, opened their eyes to the idea of preserving the heritage of their ancestors.
Makhambet Otemisuly was also popular as a kuishi. He has popular musical kuys such as “Kairan Naryn”, “Zhumyr kylysh”, “Okinish”, “Zhoryk”, “Akzhelen”, “Ilme akzheleni”, etc.
Y.P. Kovalevsky in 1843 in his work with the title “Wanderer by land and sea” evaluates it as the soul of the uprising and “giving direction to Isatay” [15, p. 47]. In turn, Makhambet Otemisuly will remain in the memory of the Kazakh people as one of the organizers of the people’s liberation movement. Manash Kozybayev in his work “Zhaudy shaptym tu bailap” noted that “the national liberation movement led by Isatay, Makhambet in 1836-37 is a great stage in the history of the Kazakh people…The strengthening of the Khan’s power and its treasury function gave rise to official greed. The bureaucracy sucked the people out like a leech. At this time, people’s figures who came from among the people, Isatay Taimanov and Makhambet Utemisov, led a popular uprising”.
Memory
One of the problems that has been widely studied and highly appreciated in Russian historiography is the history of the liberation struggle of the Kazakh people. Of course, during the years of Soviet power, when the Bolshevik order and Communist ideology prevailed, the problem did not receive an objective analysis and high assessment, but with the independence of our country, it became possible to study this problem from the point of view of new conceptual approaches. The portrait of Makhambet Otemisuly as a fighter on the way to freedom in the Soviet years gave rise to several research works, during the years of independence, interest in the uprising and the personality of Batyr increased. During the Soviet period, the scientific and research works of such historians as F. Shakhmatov, A.F. Ryazanov and A. Yakunin were published, where the unequivocal opinion was expressed that as a result of the colonial policy of the tsarist government, the liberation revolt of the Kazakhs broke out in Bokey Horde. In Russian historiography, in the works of I. Kenzhalyiev, M.K. Kozybaev, K.L. Yesmagambetov, M.K. Koigeldiev, A. Shamgonov, S.M. Gizatov and other researchers, a portrait of our batyr was painted from the standpoint of historical truth, which in the minds of descendants is a symbol of patriotism and heroism. Until now, the issues of studying the life and work of batyr Makhambet Otemisuly, his personality as a statesman and a fighter, promotion of his heritage and systematic introduction into the consciousness of the younger generation are still relevant. In this series, we must say that The personality of M. Otemisuly is not only the object of research by historians, but by specialists in the field of linguistics. In this regard, several works of researchers devoted to the poems of Makhambet were published.
As we have said, Otemisuly was not only an organizer of the liberation movement, but a sharp-tongued akin, a master of kuishi. During the years of independence, the rich heritage of Batyr is widely promoted. However, in the Soviet years, in 1951, a collection of poems by Makhambet Otemisuly was published, and in 1982, kui Batyr called “Shashakty Nayza, Shalkar kui”. For example, after 1991, work in this direction was actively carried out: within the framework of the state program “cultural heritage”, a collection of poems by the poet called “Babalar sozi” (“Words of ancestors”) was published as part of a collection of poems by M. Otemisuly “Zhalgan Dunie: Olender” (“Deceptive world: poems”), “Zhoryk zhyrlary” (“Legends about military campaigns”), his academic four-volume book “poems and kuys” (“poems and kuys”), “Zhyr-zhebe”, the collection “Makhambettin kuyleri” (“Kuys of Makhambet”), compiled by K. Akhmedyarov.
No doubt, in promoting the historic identity of the village Otemisuly and his legacy, the role of research centers and scientific expeditions. As we know, some scientific expeditions were organized in Soviet times. In the summer of 1958, K. Zhumaliev and T. Zharokov, arriving in Uralsk, gave an ad in one of the Newspapers that they were looking for a person who could show the burial place of Makhambet. Kurak Bekturganov, who was the grandson of a man named Bekturgan, who participated in the funeral of Makhambet, responded to the announcement and showed the place of burial of Makhambet. This gave rise to a large scientific expedition. On July 9, 1966, in the Indera district in the settlement of Karaoi in the territory of the Atyrau region, search operations begin. the scientist-anthropologist N. Shayakhmetov came to the excavations. The result is severed from the body the skull of Makhambet Otemisuly sent to the laboratory. Anthropologist N. Shayakhmetov reconstructed the portrait of Makhambet using the method of academician Gerasimov. Of course, although recent scientific expeditions have not made such sensational discoveries, they have done a great job in educating the younger generation. For example, in 2013, a research center was opened at West Kazakhstan state University. The contribution to the education of the young generation of such research centers in higher educational institutions is enormous. In accordance with the goals of the center, attracting active students to research work will undoubtedly open a wide path to the continuity of generations. At the same time, the publication of a periodical called “Makhambet Dauysy” (“Voice of Makhambet”) contributes to the promotion of the great name of Batyr. The named educational institution organized a research expedition that year. During the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Batyr, a research expedition “Makhambet – zhoryk zholdarynda” (“Makhambet Battle roads”) was organized in the Kyzylkoginsky and Zhylyoy districts. We believe that the contribution of such expeditions is huge, which are aimed at creating a historical map of Makhambet’s poems, searching for personal items and various historical rarities related to Makhambet.
In 2003, the 200th anniversary of Makhambet was celebrated within the framework of UNESCO. In that year, the name of batyr was given to the Palace in the city of Nur-Sultan. The celebration of the 200th anniversary of M. Otemisuly within UNESCO was undertaking for various significant events. The creators of the movie “Mahambettin erlik zholdarymen” (“By the Glorious roads to the village”) also organized the expedition. Along with the scientific and practical conference entitled “El dep atka kongan erlerim” (“A worthy man who bridled a horse for the sake of the people”), a traveling exhibition was organized, including rarities that reveal the life of the batyr. A Republican exhibition entitled “Atadan tugan aruakty er” (“Our glorious Holy ancestor”) was held in Almaty. The set of events for the 200th anniversary included a reader’s conference called “Daulpaz akyn” (“Warring poet”). In anticipation of the anniversary was held scientific-practical conference called “Erlik pen eldiktin ishpes rukhy” (“Indestructible spirit of courage and heroism”) is in Atyrau state University Kh. Dosmukhamedov, “Makhambet Otemisuly as a fighting poet and storyteller”, Atyrau regional history Museum in the Inder district, the Regional office.
In 2017, in order to promote the great deeds of Makhambet, in order to find new facts, an auto–exhibition “Karoy–Sheitsay-Karoy” was organized, which brought together various scientists.
To date, one of the tools for promoting the names of batyrs is the construction of monuments to them. The monuments will be always remind in the minds of posterity the images of warriors, their great achievements. Monuments dedicated To Makhambet Otemisuly were erected in major cities of our country and in his native city of Atyrau. The construction of such important buildings continues to this day. For example, in 2018, a monument in honor of Batyr was erected in Makhambet district. in September 2019, a huge monument to Batyr Makhambet Otemisuly was erected in the city of Uralsk. Streets with the name of our ancestor Batyr Makhambet are available in many cities of our Republic.
Today, artistic and documentary films are a means of shaping public consciousness and national ideology. In this direction, there is a picture “Makhambet” shot in 2003 by the Kazakhfilm Studio and a documentary film of the Almaty channel. There is still a need for active work in this direction.
A list of literature and sources:
1. Kenzhealyiev I. Makhambet. – Oral, 2003. – 201 s.
2. TsGA RK. – F. 4. – Op. 1. – D. 4197.
3. Shakhmatov V.F. Vnutrennyaya orda i vosstaniye Isataya Taymanova. – Alma-Ata, 1946. – 255 s
4. TsGA RK. F. 4. Op. 1. D. 1965.
5. Kenzhealyiev I. Makhambet. – Oral, 2003. – 201 s.
6. TsGA RK. F. 4. Op.1. D. 2039. Т. 1.
7. Kenzhealyiev I. Isatay-Makhambet. – Almaty: Kazakhstan, 1991. – 192 s.
8. TsGA RK. F. 4. Op.1. D. 1965.
9. TsGA RK. F. 4. Op.1. D. 4197.
10. Shamgonov А.Sh. Isatay men Mahambet batyrlar bastagan koterilistin songy kezeni // Otan tarihy. – № 3 (83). – Almaty, 2018.
11. Ryazanov A.F. Vosstaniye Isataya Taymanova (1836–1838). – Tashkent, 1927. – 103 s.
12. TsGA RK. F. 4. Op.1. D. 2006.
13. Nebol’sin P.I. Ocherki Volzhskogo nizov’ya. – SPb, 1852. – 297 s.
14. Yesmagambetov K.L. Azat rukhtyn kureskeri. – Almaty: Orkeniet, 2003. – 106 b.
15. Kovalevskiy Ye. P. Stranstvovatel’ po sushe i moryam. CH. 1. – SPb., 1843.
Author: KaiypbayevaA.T.