The Figure of Emir Edigu in Russian, Turkic, and Kazakh Historiography

Research Article

Abstract

This article examines the study and evaluation of the role of Amir Edigu, ruler of the Golden Horde (Ulugh Ulus) from 1396–1419 and supreme biy (beklerbek) of the Nogai Horde, within Soviet/Russian, Turkic, and Kazakh historiography. As the uluses under Amir Edigu's authority bordered the Russian state and maintained close interrelations, Russian written sources preserve abundant information concerning him. Russian sources report that legends about Edigu were recorded from the Kazakhs by G.I. Spassky and from the Nogais by A. Khodzko. Prominent Russian historians, such as B. Grekov and A. Yakubovsky, characterize Edigu negatively. Given that the Russian state existed under the dominion of the Golden Horde for 240 years, Russian historians depicted Amir Edigu, one of this ulus's rulers, as a cruel tyrant due to his repeated raids on Russian lands precipitated by the non–payment of tribute. Nevertheless, several researchers, including M. Saparghaliev, V. Trepavlov, and R. Pothekaev, offer a more objective assessment of Amir Edigu's personality.  V. Trepavlov posits that Edigu founded the Nogai Ulus, which originated from the Golden Horde. He appears in historical chronicles under the titles “temnik”, “amir”, and “beklerbek”. The state formed in the 1390s was established in Western Kazakhstan, between the Zhaiyk (Ural) and Emba rivers, and subsequently expanded its territories. Sh. Ualikhanov, A. Margulan, along with scholars B. Ayagan and M. Alpysbes, maintain that Edigu was born in the settlement of Kumkent on the slopes of the Karatau mountains, and suggest that the Nogais may have migrated as far as Kyrgyzstan at some point. “Historical epic poems preserved in the people's memory play an important role in clarifying the figure of Edige”. Shokan Ualikhanov was the first, in the 19th century, to provide a scholarly analysis of the historical foundations of the epic common to the Turkic world. He noted, “The Zhir (Epic) of Edigu relates to events at the end of the 14th century and must have been composed at the beginning of the 15th century. This is evidenced by many archaic words and expressions no longer present in the language”. The epic “Edige” has been preserved in the collective memory of Turkic peoples – including Kazakhs, Karakalpaks, Nogais, Tatars, Bashkirs, Uzbeks, and Turkmens – who widely incorporated it into their culture from the 14th–15th centuries. However, commencing in 1944 within the Soviet Union, epics concerning Edigu and his descendants were perceived as glorifying the past and attempting to whitewash the Mongol–Tatar invasion, leading to their removal from publication. Following the collapse of the USSR and the attainment of independence by numerous Turkic nations, the “Edige” epic experienced renewed publication and research. According to contemporary researchers, approximately 50 variants of the “Edige” epic exist today. However, scholarly opinion holds that the extant versions contain numerous discrepancies when compared with historical sources and perspectives regarding Edigu's personality. Nonetheless, Edigu dedicated much of his active life to the struggle for power and the consolidation of the Golden and Nogai Hordes. Therefore, in conclusion, several facets of his personality merit emphasis: First, Edigu's persona persists in the historical memory of most Turkic peoples, as does his ambition to unify the Turkic nations. After centuries, his name has been restored and has assumed its place in history as the ruler of a significant Turkic empire in medieval Eurasia. Second, Amir Edigu's life course and statecraft demonstrate his qualities as a charismatic, adept, and resolute politician, military commander, and skilled diplomat. Third, as the ruler of the Nogai–Kipchak uluses, Edigu championed their interests. Consequently, he endures in the historical memory of the Kazakh people and is revered to this day as “El qamyn jegen er Edige”, translating to the hero who cared for the people. Fourth, it is a recognized fact within historical scholarship today that the foundation of the Kazakh people and state comprises Kipchak clans and tribes. These groups were historically proximate to the Nogais, sharing common origins, related languages, a unified faith, mentality, analogous traditions, cultures, and economic systems. Therefore, it is justifiable to regard Amir Edigu as a son of the Nogai people and a shared historical figure for both Kazakhs and Nogais – a ruler of the Golden Horde who dedicated his life to the state's preservation and consolidation, and a figure deserving a distinguished place in Kazakh history.