Peter the Great said that Kazakhstan is the key to the gates of Asia. However, many Kazakhs did not want to give this key. Nevertheless Russia begins to occupy the Kazakh Khanate, already since the 17th century. In the 1822 and 1824 the Empire carries out reforms and removes the khans from power! In fact, the Kazakh Khanate was breaking up. And at that time a wave of rebellions begins. And one of the uprising was led by Kenesary Khan!
LINEAGE OF KENESARY KHAN
Kenesary was the grandson of Abylay Khan. How? In this way! When Abylay Khan was captured by the Dzungars, he was matched with the niece of the governor of Dzungaria Galdan Tseren Topyshkhanym. Abylay Khan and Topyshkhanym give birth to Kasym. And Kasym gives birth to his son Kenesary. Probably it’s not even necessary to mention that from childhood he knew how to shoot, ride, hold a sword in his hands and so on.
THE BEGINNING OF THE REBELLION
As I already mentioned, in 1822 and in 1824, the Russian Empire carries out reforms. It removes the khan’s power and creates districts on the Kazakh land, oppressing the Kazakhs in the nomad life. Thus, the Kazakh Khanate is disintegrating, or as some say, it was liquidated. And in the south of Kazakhstan, the Kokand Khanate ruled over the senior zhuz. The Kazakhs were unhappy with the situation and eventually rebelled! The largest one was the uprising of Kasymovs. The leaders were Kasym Sultan and his son Sarzhan. Father and brother of Kenesary. Kenesary himself also actively participated in the uprising. Sarzhan with his associates raided prikazs (Prikaz was a mini-city). But it was difficult to confront the Russians, since their guns were not equivalent. For this reason, Sarzhan and Kasym sultan had to retreat first to the younger zhuz, and then to the senior zhuz. But at that time, as I already said the senior zhuz was under the Kokand khanate, and by the order of the ruler of the Kokans, first Sarzhan (1836) and then Kasym (1840) were killed. For Kenesary participation in this uprising brought enormous experience. And considering all the mistakes, he began his movement on its base!