Kuchum’s Descendants and the Bashkirs: Attempts of Reconstructing the Siberian Khanate

Introduction. As is commonly believed in Russian historiography, the late 16th century
witnessed a final collapse of the Siberian Khanate. However, that event was long followed by repeated
attempts from ex-owners of Siberian Yurt — the Kuchumovichs (children and grandchildren of the
Siberian Khan Kuchum) — to regain their power. In achieving their goal, they relied on Bashkir
and Kalmyk leaders. The ideological supporters of Kuchum’s descendants were the Siberian Tatars
and Bashkirs, primarily Bashkir Tabyns who also sought a restoration of the Siberian Khanate.
But in historical science the question of Bashkirs’ participation in the Kuchumovichs’ cause to
regain Siberian Yurt remains unaddressed. Goals. The study aims at examining the 17th century
ethnopolitical history of the Trans-Ural Bashkirs through the prism of the movement attended by the
Kuchumovichs, Kalmyks and Dzungars who came up with the idea of reviving the Siberian Khanate.
Materials and Methods. The work employs materials already introduced into scientific discourse
which, however, were not considered through the prism of Bashkirs’ participation in the general
movement of nomadic leaders to have struggled for the restoration of the Siberian Khanate. Coupled
with the use of historical research methods (historical, comparative and systemic ones), this made it
possible to reveal that in the territory of Bashkiria the actions of Bashkir rebels were associated with
the policy of the Kuchumovichs and Kalmyk taishas who tried to unite Bashkirs and inhabitants of
Western Siberia to withdraw from subordination to the Moscow Government. Thus, the scientific
novelty is that the 17th century anti-Russian movement of Bashkirs is being first considered in the
context of attempts to restore the Siberian Khanate. Results. Analysis of historical events (departure
of Kuchum’s grandson Kuchuk to the Karakalpaks and adoption of Russian citizenship by the Kalmyk
ruler Ayuka) shows that the rebellious Bashkirs experienced a collapse of hopes for the restoration
of the Siberian Khanate, the latter viewed as an opportunity to gain independence from the Tsardom
of Russia. Conclusions. Bashkir uprisings of the mid-to-late 17th century should be considered in line
with the political situation that had developed in the southeastern outskirts of Russia due to the joint
activities of the Kuchumovichs, Kalmyk and Bashkir leaders.

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