The Roles of the Kazakh Elder Sultans in the Governance Structure of the Russian Empire (XIX сentury)

Abstract

The politico-administrative reform of 1822 within the Russian Empire initiated the process of dismantling the Kazakh Khanate, consequently leading to the establishment of new administrative structures in its former territories. Within the Kazakh Steppe, a transformation of power institutions occurred: the authority of the Khans was supplanted by a system of governance represented by Senior Sultans, volost (district) rulers, and aul (village) elders. Within the broader administrative framework of the Russian Empire, which included the Governing Senate and the institution of Governors-General, the administration of the annexed Kazakh lands was incorporated into the existing structure. Specifically, the territory of the Middle Zhuz was integrated into the West Siberian Governor-Generalship, headquartered in Omsk. The Governor-General supervised the activities of the newly established district prikaz. In chronological order, the following external districts were established: Kokchetav and Karkaraly (1824), Bayanaul (1833), and Kokpekty (1844). The leadership of these districts, formed after the abolition of Khanate rule, was entrusted to Senior Sultans elected from the local aristocracy. The administrative-territorial structure of each district comprised subordinate volosts and auls, managed respectively by volost rulers and aul elders. The reform of administrative governance in the Kazakh Steppe resulted in the institutionalization of the elected positions of Elder Sultans, volost rulers, and elders, integrating them into the administrative structure of the Russian Empire. Archival collections in Russia and Kazakhstan contain information regarding the functional responsibilities of Senior Sultans during this chronological period (1822–1868). This study of the activities of Senior Sultans focuses on the examples of the Kushmurun, Karkaraly, Bayanaul, and Kokpekty districts of the Middle Zhuz, the analysis of whose administrative organization constitutes a pertinent scholarly objective.