Uraz-Muhammed in the Context of Kazakh‑Russian Relations at the End of the 16th Century
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65076/Keywords:
Kazakh Khanate, Russia, Bukhara Khanate, Uraz-Muhammed, Kul-Muhammed, TauekelAbstract
The aim of the article is to study the position and role of Uraz-Muhammed — the future khan of the Kasym Khanate — in Kazakh‑Russian negotiations of 1594–1595. The research is based on materials identified by the author in the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (Moscow, Russian Federation). These materials were cross-checked against copies preserved in the Central State Archive of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Almaty) and in the Scientific Archive of the “Gylym Orda” RSE (Almaty). In addition, published documents on the topic were systematized and comprehensively reviewed. During the research, it was revealed that the established historiographical view — that Sultan Uraz-Muhammed’s role was limited solely to efforts to secure his release, and that this was the main goal of Tauekel Khan’s embassy to Moscow in 1594–1595 — is incorrect. At the Russian royal court, Uraz-Muhammed, as a direct descendant and close relative of ruling khans, held a high status and was involved in various state duties. This included participating in some diplomatic reception events with representatives of foreign states. However, such participation was mostly ceremonial in nature. Yet in the case of the Kazakh embassy, taking into account the sultan’s lineage and possibly preserved connections, Uraz-Muhammed was directly involved in negotiations conducted by the Kazakh envoy Kul-Muhammed. Archival documents show that Uraz-Muhammed met with the Kazakh envoy Kul-Muhammed not just once, as commonly believed in historical literature, but at least three times. At least two of these meetings took place in Moscow, where the Kazakh diplomatic mission was stationed, and one meeting occurred at the sultan’s estate. The article also demonstrates that Uraz-Muhammed played a significant role in establishing Kazakh‑Persian relations. With his direct involvement, a meeting was arranged in Moscow between the Persian envoy Gadibek and the Kazakh envoy Kul-Muhammed, who were both present in the city at the same time. Documents mentioning the rewards granted to Uraz-Muhammed, as well as the subsequent rise in his political status — including Tsar Boris Godunov’s official designation of him as khan of the Kasym Khanate — serve as evidence that Uraz-Muhammed successfully asserted himself during Kazakh‑Russian negotiations. Overall, analysis of the sources clearly shows that Uraz-Muhammed played a significant role in the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Kazakh Khanate and the Rus’ state at the end of the 16th century, and was directly involved in these processes.
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