The 1725 Political Situation in the Northern Caspian

Abstract

Introduction. The article discusses one of the little-known events in the history of the Northern Caspian region, namely, the arrival of the Kazakhs of the Middle and Small Zhuzes and Karakalpaks in the region in 1725 to confront the Kalmyks and Yaik Cossacks. The article aims to introduce into scientific circulation new archival data on the eastern direction of the foreign policy of the Kalmyk namestnik (ruler) Tseren-Donduk (1724–1735). The sources for the research were the materials of the National Archives of the Republic of Kalmykia, stored in fonds I-36, including the “Journal of Kalmyk Affairs”, consisting of accounts and reports of the Astrakhan governor A. P. Volynsky, Colonel V. P. Beklemishev and other officials in charge of Kalmyk affairs. Results. The invasion of Dzungar troops into Turkestan in the spring of 1725 forced Kazakhs and Karakalpaks, led by Khan Abulkhair, to move to the steppes of the Northern Caspian region, where they had to confront the Volga Kalmyks and Yaik Cossacks. Conclusions. In the summer of 1725, despite the internal political turmoil, Tseren-Donduk managed to organize an effective opposition to the Kazakh and Karakalpak forces and to inflict significant casualties on the rivals. However, granted the absence of a peace treaty with the Kazakh khan Abulkhair, the position of the eastern Kalmyk uluses was not secure, and the Kalmyk owners had to keep large forces on the Yaik River.