Аннотации:
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.
