The resettlement policy of Tsarist Russia on the Kazakh steppes of the late XIX – early XX centuries (based on the materials of periodicals and scientific articles)

Abstract

Relevance. After the conquest of Turkestan in the second half of the XIX century, the tsarist government began to take concrete action. The tsarist government sent special research expeditions to the Kazakh steppes and began to collect a lot of information about the geographical, economic and social situation. The Myrzashol and Kyzylkum districts in the south, notable for their proximity to the fertile and bird-rich banks of the Syrdarya River, offer convenient water access and deserve special attention. The materials collected by the researchers were processed, summarised and published in the Russian periodical “Turkestan Collection”. Purpose. The aim was to show the results of research expeditions and to introduce rulers, military personnel, peasants and peasants of vast Russia in search of work and land in the virgin steppe, where they have not yet plowed. Methodology. This research utilizes a historical review methodology, examining archival materials, periodicals, and previously published scientific articles. Results. The findings suggest that the resettlement was extensively facilitated by the division of Kazakh lands into administrative territories and the systematic imposition of state property laws. The analysis shows that this not only disrupted the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Kazakhs but also paved the way for significant Russian migration and agricultural development, particularly in cotton cultivation. Conclusions. The study concludes that the resettlement policy was a form of imperial strategy that had lasting impacts on the region's demographic and economic landscapes. It underscores the dual role of economic exploitation and cultural domination in Tsarist colonization efforts, reflecting broader patterns of European imperial practices in Asia. The research highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of these historical dynamics to appreciate the complex legacy of colonial policies in Central Asia.