Russian military, Kazakhs of the Middle Zhuz and Bukhara merchants in the south of Western Siberia in 1752-1753

The article, based on archival materials of diplomatic correspondence and military reports, examines the process of interaction between the Russian authorities and the Kazakh zhuzes in the area of border fortifications in the south of Western Siberia in the 1750s. The study showed that the recognition of Russian citizenship by the Kazakh zhuzes did not actually mean direct adherence to Russian orders. In fact, the Kazakh rulers could not or did not want to influence their subjects in relation to the interests of Russia, which led to the emergence of border conflicts that reached the highest ranks of the Russian government. The problem of the participation of Bukharan merchants in Russian-Kazakh relations in the borderland in the mid-18th century, their importance in the trading activities of the southern Siberian lands is considered. Both positive examples of international interaction in the sphere of trade and cases of attacks that led to border conflicts are touched upon. Kazakh leaders could not or did not want to influence their subjects according to the interests of Russia, which led to the emergence of border conflicts that reached the highest ranks of the Russian government. The international trade conducted by the Bukharan caravans was a mutually beneficial process for the countries and peoples involved in it. It also left its mark on the history of Russian-Kazakh border contacts; the noted attacks were not of a mass nature and were a consequence of the specifics of that nomadic society with weak control of the rulers and complex Kazakh-Dzungar relations. At the same time, the support provided by Sultan Ablai to the Bukharan caravans traveling to Russian possessions showed examples of successful international cooperation in ensuring trade routes.

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