Controversial Issues in the Biography of Sultan Ghazi Bulatovich Valikhanov

Research Article

Abstract

This article examines controversial issues in the biography of Sultan Ghazi Bulatovich Valikhanov, a little-studied figure of the 19th-century Kazakh aristocracy and intelligentsia. His figure has long been overshadowed by the more famous Shokan Valikhanov in historiography, despite Sultangazi's significant contribution to the socio-political, military, and intellectual life of the Russian Empire and the Kazakh steppe. The relevance of this study stems from the need to rethink the role of educated Chingizid sultans in shaping the historical consciousness of Kazakh society and in the context of Russian-Kazakh relations. Objectives. The purpose of this article is to reconstruct the biography of Sultan Ghazi Bulatovich Valikhanov and identify controversial aspects of his life, career, and public activities. The objectives of the study include: analysis of the origin and early stage of formation of the personality of Sultangazi; study of his military service and relations with the highest administration of the Russian Empire; consideration of his participation in socio-political and intellectual discussions of the late 19th century; identification of the role of Valikhanov in the discussion of the resettlement policy and the land issue; determination of his place in the history of the Kazakh intelligentsia. Materials and methods. The source base of the study consists of publications of the Russian periodicals of the 19th century (the magazines Niva, Severny Vestnik, the newspapers Novoye Vremya, Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti), the works of Russian publicists and writers (G. Uspensky, N. Konshin, P. Bykov), archival materials of the Chancellery of the Steppe Governor-General from the funds of the Central State Archives of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as memoirs and scientific research of Soviet and contemporary authors. The methodological basis is based on historical-comparative, retrospective, and personality studies, which allowed us to identify cause-and-effect relationships and the evolution of Sultangazi Valikhanov's views. Results. The study revealed that Sultangazi Valikhanov had a complex path from a graduate of the Omsk Cadet Corps and an officer in the Russian army to a prominent public figure and journalist in St. Petersburg. He enjoyed the patronage of high-ranking officials, but simultaneously faced intrigue and accusations of disloyalty. His activities in the capital of the Russian Empire were particularly significant, where he became a spokesman for the interests of Kazakh society, criticized the resettlement policy in the Akmola region, and advocated the harmonious coexistence of the nomadic and agricultural lifestyles. It is shown that Valikhanov acted as a representative of the "new Kazakh," who sought to combine a European education with the preservation of national identity. Conclusions Sultan Gazi Bulatovich Valikhanov was a key, yet underappreciated, figure in 19th-century Kazakh history. His biography reflects the complexities of the Kazakh elite's adaptation to the imperial system, as well as the contradictions between service to the state and protecting the interests of their own people. Sultangazi Valikhanov's work testifies to the formation of early forms of Kazakh social thought and political self-awareness. Further study of his legacy allows for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between Kazakhstan and Russia, as well as the origins of the modern Kazakh intelligentsia.