Kazakh Khandom in the end of XV and in beg. Of XVI c.

1) Khandom of Abulkhair disappeared.

2) Timurides lost power in Mavrenakhr and in the beg. of XVI c. fought with the grandson of Abulkhair – Mukhamad Shaibani.

3) Mogulistan was disintegrated into several independent states.

4) Golden Horde was disintegrated into Siberian, Astrakhan and Kazan states.

    After Abulkhair’s death, Kazakh Khans began struggle for power. Their main rivals were – son of Abulkhair – Shaikh-Khaidar and grandsons – Mukhamed Shaibani and Makhmud-sultan.

    After death of Shaikh-Khaidar, grandsons of Abulkhair escaped to Turkestan; just here the main historical events begun.

    The main reason – economic and strategic position. Syrdarya towns were important economic-commercial centre for population of steppe regions. These towns were a solid fortresses and administrative-political centers. The middle and lower parts of Syrdarya were the rich pastures for Kazakh tribes.

    The same reasons we can see on the territory of Dasht-i-Kipshak. Struggle between Shaibanides, Timurides and Moghul khans. During 30 years, they have fought between each others. In 70-s of XV c. were a few battles near Sauran, Suzak and other places. For example, Yassy and Turkestan were captured by Kazakh Khan Muhammed Shaibani. The leader of Kazakh army was a khan Burunduk (son of Kerey) at that time. According to one source he was declared as a Khan in 1470, according to others in 1480.

    In 80-90-s of XV c. The struggle for Syrdarya towns was continued. As a result, in the end of XV c. Suzak, Sygnak, Sauran were submitted by Kazakh Khans. Mukhamed Shaibani conquered Otrar, Yassy, Uzkent, and Arkuk. He did not have forces for conquering power in steppe. So, in the end of XV c. the borders of Kazakh Khandom were extended and included the territories of Western Zhetisu, towns of Southern Kazakhstan, region of Karatau, lower Syrdarya and main part of Central Kazakhstan.

    Jushides moved from Kazakhstan to Astrakhan, Siberian and Kazan Khandoms. At the beginning of XVI c. Kazakh Khandom occupied the territory of Ak-Horde and part of Mogulistan.

    Kasymkhan (1512-1521).  The most strengthening time of Kazakh Khandom begun in the first quarter of XVI c. during the ruling of Kasymkhan – son of Zhanybek (was born in 1455). He was a famous general and participated in many battles. In 1510 Mukhamed Shaibani attempted to capture Sygnak again, but was defeated by Kasymkhan. Kasymkhan was in friendly terms with khan of Mogulistan – Sultan Said. Kasymkhan extended his power to all territory of Kazakhstan. In 1514 Sultan Said left Kazakhstan and moved to Eastern Turkestan, that’s why Kasymkhan usurpated power in Zhetisu. Borders of Kazakh state extended from Jaik to Syrdarya, from Caspian Sea to Balkhash. The population of Kazakh Khandom reached 1 million men. Kazakhstan was well-known by western countries at that time and was established diplomatic relations with Moscow state.

     Kazakh Khandom during the ruling of Khak-Nazar and Tauekel (XVI c.) After death of Kasym-khan the new wave of feuds begun between jushides, which weakened the Kazakh Khandom. The alliance was founded against Kazakh, Uzbek and moguls. Kazakh khans lost Syrdarya towns. Kazakh khan Takhir (1523-1533) was defeated by khan of Nogai Horde. He tried to return Syrdarya towns. Syrdarya towns – Sygnak, Otrar, Turkestan (Yassy from XVI c.) and others were under the power of Shaibanids of Mavrenakhr.

     The main directions of external policy of Kazakh khans were:

1)       On the south-east – against moguls and oirats.

2)       On the north-west – against nogais and tatars.

    Famous Kazakh khan Khak-Nazar (1538-1580) son of Kasymkhan tried to restore borders of Kazakh Khandom in the time of his father. But it was impossible, because:

1)       Borders of Moscow state reached Kazakhstan, after conquest of Kazan, Siberian and Astrakhan Khandoms.

2)       Time by time oirats invaded Zhetisu.

    Khan Khak-Nazar extended borders of Kazakhstan to the West and South, but in 1580 he was killed in one of the battles. After death of Khak-Nazar, Shigai (descendant of Zhanibek) was declared as a khan of Kazakh Khandom. But he ruled only two years. He participated in campaign of Uzbek Khan Abdallakh and received some towns of Turkestan for participating.

    Tauekel – son of Shigai ruled from 1586 till 1598. He seized number of towns in Turkestan region; he fought with numerous rivals – Kazakh sultans, sons of Khak-Nazar. After establishing diplomatic relations with Moscow state he undertook new campaign to Middle Asia and submitted all Syrdarya towns. He was wounded in one of the battles and died.

Kazakh Khandom in XVII c. Khan Esim – son of Shigai ruled in 1598-1628. He was the youngest khan and occupied throne, when he was 20 years old. Turkestan with its towns and also Tashkent entered into the structure of Kazakh Khanate. Thus, the long struggle of the Kazakh khans for the settled-agricultural regions of the South Kazakhstan and towns in the Middle Syrdarya was completed. From that time this region and Tashkent (for 200 years) finally entered into the structure of Kazakh state. Esim was named Kazakh «статный богатырь» for his bravery.

      After Esim’s death, his son Zhangir became a khan of Kazakh Khandom (1628-1680) and for his struggle against Zhungars he was named as «неудержимый».

    Strengthening of the Kazakh state begun in ruling of khan Tauke (1680-1718), the Kazakh union with Kyrgyzs and Karakalpaks weakened the oirat’s invasions to Kazakh lands for long time.

    However, soon hard economic and political situation in Kazakhstan was stipulated by:

1)       Ceaseless raids of oirats.

2)       Internal intestine wars.

3)       Unstable relations with Central Asian rulers.

4)       Building of the Russian military fortifications in the North, West and East of the Kazakh lands.