In The QÑrghÑz Baatïr and the Russian Empire Tetsu Akiyama gives a vivid description of the dynamism and dilemmas of empire-building in nomadic Central Asia from the mid-nineteenth to the early twentieth century, through reconstructing the biography of Shabdan Jantay uulu (ca. 1839â1912), a chieftain from the northern QÑrghÑz (Kirghiz, Kyrgyz) tribes. Based on the comprehensive study of primary sources stored in the archives of Central Asian countries and Russia, Akiyama explores Shabdanâs intermediary role in the Russian Empireâs military advance and rule in southern Semirechâe and its surrounding regions. Beyond the commonly held stereotype as a âfaithful collaboratorâ to Russia, he appears here as a flexible and tough leader who strategically faced and dealt with Russian dominance.
Tetsu Akiyama, Ph.D. (2010), Hokkaido University, is Associate Professor at the Waseda Institute for Advanced Study (WIAS). His publications include Why Was Russian Direct Rule over Kyrgyz Nomads Dependent on Tribal Chieftains âManapsâ? (Cahiers du Monde russe, vol. 56/4, 2015).
âAn innovative contribution to Central Asian studies, Akiyamaâs book is also important for Russian imperial history.â
- Fengfeng ZHANG , South China Normal University , in: Ab Imperio , (2022).
Acknowledgements Explanatory Notes List of Illustrations Abbreviations
Prologue
1 A Child of the Jookerchilik Zaman
â1âQÑrghÑz After the Collapse of the Zunghar Khanate
â2âThe Formation of the Manap Stratum
â3âYoung Shabdan Stands Out as a BaatÑr
2 Between Qoqand and Russia
â1âJantay as an Intermediary of the Qoqand Khanate
â2âJantay Encounters the Russian Advance
â3âJantay Under the Growing Russian Military Presence
â4âJantay on the Military Administration System
3 Between Ruling Reform and Military Expansion
â1âShabdan Appears Before the Russian Authority
â2âFrom Baranta to âMilitary Serviceâ
â3âShabdan as a Mediator
â4âKolpakovskii Mistrusts, Kaufman Pardons Shabdan
4 Aristocrat or Parasite
â1âShabdanâs Promotion to the Lieutenant Colonel
â2âThe Manaps as QÑrghÑz Aristocracy
â3âThe Emerging âAnti-Manap Struggleâ
â4âShabdan as an Impediment to Russian Rule
â5âThe âQueen Beeâ of the QÑrghÑz
5 On the Frontline of the Resettlement Policy
â1âFrom the âSwordâ to âMoneyâ
â2âLeaving the Deep Valley
â3âThe Resettlement Administration as a New Player in Semirechâe
â4âSearching for a Middle Ground
6 Growing Relationship to Islam Under Russian Rule
â1âShabdan as a Murid
â2âBaatïr to Baatïr Hajji
â3âShabdan as a Representative of Islam
â4âDilemmas Concerning the Engagement with Islam
Epilogue: Heading for Ruin
â1âThe Russian Colonial Military Authorities in Shabdanâs Funeral
â2âOrganizing the Ash
â3âThe Russian Authorities and the Ash
â4âThe Colonial Government Strengthens Its Intervention
â5âShabdan Remains âAliveâ: In the Name of Baatïr Hajji
Conclusion Bibliography Index
All interested in the modern history of Central Asia/Eurasia and the Russian Empire, and anyone concerned with the history of modern empires in view of local actors including nomads.