Kichik Alai- an advanced mountain range located north of the Alai Range between the valleys of Isfairamsay in the west and Akbura in the east. The Alay Ridge proper in this region does not have a special name. You can’t call it High Alay - it differs too much in nature from the areas of the Tandykul peak or the Abramov glacier. Therefore, allowing for some geographical inaccuracy, we will expand the Kichik-Alai region to include the watershed ridge adjoining from the south. Naumov has already gone down this path, placing in the list of peaks Kichik-Alai, Skobelev peak.

In the center of Kichik-Alai, the watershed (Alai) ridge, which extends from west to east, is connected by a meridional bridge with a side (Kichik-Alai) ridge parallel to it. One of the sources of Isfairamsay, the western Kichik-Alai, flows from this bridge to the west, and to the east, the main component of Akbura, the river. Kichik-Alai eastern. Between these rivers, the rivers Abshirsay, Chile and Kirghizata flow to the north from the side ridge. All this in its structure resembles the Sugan Alps in the Central Caucasus with Shtulskaya jumper, Cherek Balkarsky in the west, Urukh in the east and the Rtsyvashki, Psygansu and Khaznydon rivers flowing north from the Lateral Range.

From the north, the Kichik-Alai region is bounded by a wide mountain valley, which extends at an altitude of 1200 - 1300 meters above sea level and is separated from the Ferghana Valley by an arid mountain range up to 1700 meters high. It is divided by a low ridge into two parts - the western part with the mining town of Kyzyl-Kiya and the eastern part closest to the city of Osh, which we will agree to call the Naukat valley. 20 kilometers south of Osh, the bus crosses the Dozdundaban pass (1389) and after another 15 kilometers descends into the flowering Naukat valley, abundantly irrigated by the Kichik-Alai rivers. This valley is fertile and densely populated. The largest is the regional center Iski-Naukat. Also significant are the almost confluent settlements of Shankol, Kirghizata and Yanginaukat. To the south of the valley, in good weather, the majestic snow-capped peaks of Kichik-Alay are visible. I remember the North Caucasus, only it is much hotter here.

In Iski Naukat the roads diverge. Tourists can choose any of the Kichik-Alay valleys to enter the mountains. Known for the existence highways in the valleys of the Isfairamsay, Chile, Kirghizata and Akbura rivers.

From the south, the region is limited by a 65-kilometer section of the Alai Valley from Darout-Kurgan in the west to Sary-Mogol in the east. The well-known village of Sary-Tash (with a border outpost) is located 35 kilometers east of Sary-Mogol. Since 1995, the border zone regime has been operating in the Alai Valley, so you need to get a pass to visit it. On the entrances from the north, a pass is not required.

Damjailoo lakes. In the distance are the peaks of Lenin (left) and Dzerzhinsky

As you move south to the Kichik-Alay Range, the mountains rise higher and higher, the brown semi-desert stony slopes covered with wormwood become emerald green, and the apricot groves are replaced by wild pear and apple orchards. The water in the river is clean, its banks are overgrown with willow and sea buckthorn, poplar and birch are often found. The first juniper trees appear even higher. Having reached a height of 2400 m, you find yourself in the zone of juniper forests. At the confluence of the Akart and Gezart rivers (the sources of the Chile River), the juniper forests are very dense, the trees in them are powerful and tall, there are even clearings with forestry posts. The forest glades here are overgrown with tall grass, with an abundance of a wide variety of flowers. High and large bells are especially remembered. Such powerful vegetation, unusual in Alai, is apparently due to high humidity due to the close proximity of Lenin Peak. In alpine meadows there are many edelweiss and onions. On the bottom of the valleys, grass grows up to a height of 4000 m.

The glaciers in Kichik-Alai have largely degraded, so there are many lakes in the area. The largest lake Tegermach reaches a length of 1200 meters with a width of about 500 meters, and its surface lies at an altitude of 3880 m. In some places there are families of six or more lakes, for example, the Damdzhailoo lake group on the southern slope of the Alai Range. The largest glacier in the region, Gezart, descends from a height of 4900 to 3500 m, reaching a length of 8.5 kilometers. The area of ​​this valley glacier is 9.8 square kilometers. The height of the snow line is 4350 m. Gezart, reaches a length of 4.2 kilometers, its area is 6.9 square kilometers, and the thickness of the ice is 100 meters. The Jumas glacier, located to the west of the Gezart glacier, descends from a height of 4900 to 3400 m and reaches a length of 6 kilometers.

Flowers of Kichik-Alai

Alai and Kichik-Alai ridges are poorly dissected. The highest point of the region is Skobelev Peak 5051m. The height of the southeastern tower of the Kumtor wall, apparently, also exceeds 5000m. Most likely, there are no other five-thousanders in the area. But there are many peaks over 4900m high. The highest peak of the mountain knot with the most significant glaciation (Gezart, Dzhumas and Barkalak glaciers) reaches a height of 4933 m. This peak is possibly the highest in the Kichik-Alay Range. With a weak dissection of the ridges, even the simplest passes exceed 4400 m in height (pass Gezart, 1B, 4481). And the highest passes reach 4900 m (per. Rototaeva, 2A, 4820). Given that meadows are already growing at an altitude of 3800-3900m, it is easy to build a mountain route with an abundance of "warm" overnight stays and with elevation changes not exceeding 800-1000 meters.

A wide and gentle bridge between the Alai and Kichik-Alai ranges drops to a height of 4103 m (Kichik-Alai pass, n / a). From this jumper to the west and east, the Kichik-Alai rivers of the same name flow. For 20 kilometers they drop in height about 1300 meters. Juniper forests along the banks of these rivers and their main tributaries are not as dense as on the northern slopes of the Kichik-Alai Range, however, they are no less picturesque.

Kumtor wall

Despite some superiority of the Alai Range in height over the Kichik-Alai Range, its glaciation is less. The largest are the Karasel and Kosh-Moinok glaciers, 4.5 km long. There are practically no glaciers on the southern slopes of the Kichik-Alai and Alai ranges. Tourist and mountaineering development of Kichik-Alai leaves much to be desired. Mountain lovers arriving in Osh in an effort to visit the Pamirs bypass the amazingly beautiful region of Kichik-Alai. That is why, despite the rich flora and fauna, Kichik-Alai is not endowed with the status of an alpturzone in Kyrgyzstan.

Until the mid-1990s, the upper reaches of the Tegermach and Gezart rivers in the Kichik-Alay Range were the most explored by tourists. Most of the Kichik-Alai passes mentioned in the 1990 list are located in this area. Perhaps tourists were attracted by the largest lake Kichik-Alaya and the largest glacier. The mountains surrounding the plateau of the Gezart Glacier are relatively flat. There are many passes 1B-2A k.s., so the plateau of the Gezart glacier is accessible for beginner tourists. Another thing is the Barkalak glacier located north of Gezart. It lies low and is surrounded by steep and high walls with passes 3A k.s.

Note of the pioneers on Skobelev Peak

Starting from the mid-90s, thanks to the initiative of the MAI Tourist Club, a new wave of development of Kichik-Alai began. Groups from the MAI Tour Club and other Moscow teams, from Kiev and Kaluga, in numerous campaigns, passed about 40 new passes.

The next Aktyube region, adjacent to the Gezart region from the east and bounded from the west and east by the Akart (right source of the Chile river) and Karagay (left source of the Kirghizat river) rivers, did not seem to have been visited by tourists or climbers until the 90s. The peaks here reach a height of 4900 m. The largest glacier is 5 km long. is located in the headwaters of Aktobe - the right tributary of the river. Chile. Even to the east is the area of ​​Kirghizat, well studied by climbers. Here, at the confluence of the sources of the Kirghizata, above the forestry enterprise, the alpine camp "Kirghizata" functioned for several years in a row. Numerous climbing routes and some passes of the area are described in detail in Naumov's book.

Memorial plaque on Skobelev Peak

In the Alai Range between the passes Tyuzashu (4276) and Kindyk (4472) there is an area of ​​Skobelev Peak (5051) with significant glaciation. According to data from Skobelev Peak, at least until 1995 it remained unconquered. However, this is not so: on August 31, 1976, a group of geologists from the South-Kyrgyz geological expedition led by L.A. Sirotov climbed to its summit (route along the southern slope 1B k.s.). Even earlier, Skobelev Peak was used as a triangulation point during surveys in 1963 and 1964. For this purpose, a metal tripod was built into the top. In 1963, workers of the 24th top squad (later the 223rd expedition) of the 12th AGP climbed to the top. Led the ascent N.P. Lutsik. The brigade included T.M. Mumji, V.A. Dontsov. In 1964, a team of G.Ya. Tarana (technician-geodesist), V. Podkolzin (technician) and workers: Shpigel M., Khaydarov F., Tishchenko V. The rise was carried out from the north side.

In 1998, MAI tourists climbed the summit from the north 2B k.s. outstanding commander General Skobelev, memorial plaque. The ascent was carried out with the assistance of the Skobelev Committee.

To the east between the passes Kindyk and Sary-Mogol (4303.1A) there is the next node of glaciation - the area of ​​Sary-Mogol. The highest point of this region is 4966. Further east between the Sary-Mogol and Djiptyk passes (4189.1A) is the Kosh-Moinok region. There is a glacier with a length of 4.5 and an area of ​​5 square kilometers and peak 4931. The gorges of this region are deeply incised, so we assume the existence of passes 3A-3B of the c.s. A significant contribution to the development of these areas was made by Kyiv tourists.

The most interesting in the mountain hike along the Pamir-Alay, the Kichik-Alay ridge:

  • The hike will be officially registered, each participant fulfills the standard for assigning the 3rd category in sports tourism, will receive a certificate of passage of the route and the “Tourist of Russia” badge;
  • Opportunity to see the Pamirs and Lenin Peak (7134 meters);
  • Climbing the five-thousander Skobelev Peak (5051 meters);
  • Passage of 4 mountain passes with a height of 4000 meters, various forms mountainous terrain;
  • Huge color variety of landscapes, numerous lakes, alpine meadows with grazing yaks;
  • A logical linear route that completely crosses the Kichik-Alai ridge from south to north and ends in the northern spurs of the ridge, which are strongly dissected, and for this reason chosen by climbers.

This route will be interesting for tourists who have seen a lot and want more. For this route it is desirable to have hiking experience. It is supposed to pass technical obstacles, move in bundles along the glacier, various scree slopes of different steepness.

The route begins in the vast Alai Valley, located at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters and is very dry. Then it is planned to climb the five-thousander, to the peak of Skobelev 5,051 meters. Climbing it from the south is quite simple (1B category of difficulty). Next, it is planned to visit (with a day) the picturesque cascade of Damdzhailo lakes, located at an altitude above 4,000 meters. Visiting the picturesque valley of the Kichik-Alai river, with grazing yaks. Some people compare the valley of the Kara-Sel River with the famous Grand Canyon for the similarity of landscapes.


* An additional discount on paying for a mountain hike in the Pamir-Alay is provided to tourists who have previously traveled with the Sputnik sports travel club!

Why choose us?

The hike will be registered with the Route Qualification Commission. At the end, each participant receives a certificate of passage of the route, the badge "Tourist of Russia" and a certificate for it.

The route has been repeatedly successfully completed by our club, all organizational details have been checked and worked out to the smallest detail.

If you are a group of 8 people, we will conduct this trip on dates convenient for you.

We provide you with quality equipment at a reasonable price. Have the opportunity
travel light and save a lot of money.

Great hike

A personal manager will advise you at all stages of preparation, help you get ready for a trip, give recommendations on buying tickets and equipment.

Fill out the application and closer to the start make a small advance payment (from 10%) in the most convenient way for you. The rest of the amount - on the day of the start.

Reliability

Our tourist club is officially registered, concludes contracts, pays taxes. There are experienced instructors on the routes. Only modern and high-quality equipment is used.

Those who go hiking with our tourist club for the second or more time receive a 5% discount on participation.

1. Itinerary and requirements 2. Travel plan 3. Cost of participation 4. Recommendations for equipment

Route:

Osh city - Kashka-Su village (Alai Valley) - Kashka-Su river - Kekdzhar river - Skobelev Saddle pass - Skobelev peak (1B, 5,051 meters) - Damjailo lake - Kyzylkur pass (1A, 4,500 meters) - Tyuz-pass Ashu (1A, 4273 meters) - Tyuz river - Kichik-Alai river - Kara-Sel river - Kichik-Alai pass (n / a, 4082 meters) - descent along the Kichik-Alai river - Osh city.

Required documents: Enough passport of the Russian Federation (a foreign passport for citizens of the Russian Federation on the territory of Kyrgyzstan is not required)

Requirements to physical training participants: Hiking experience required, good physical shape

Participation rules and safety precautions when making a mountain hike in the Pamir-Alay

1 day

Meeting of the group in the city of Osh (in the south of Kyrgyzstan). We are located in a guest house, 30 minutes drive from the airport. Getting to know the group. Walk around the city. Those who wish can take a walk to Mount Suleiman, located in the very center of the city, from the top of which the city of Osh is in the palm of your hand. We buy food and gas for the trip.




2 day

In the morning departure on a custom vehicle. Transfer of the group to the Alai valley, the path passes through the Taldyk automobile pass, with a height of over 3,600 meters. Further descent to Alai valley. In the afternoon we arrive at the southern spurs of the Kichik-Alai ridge, distribute food and equipment. We spend the night on the banks of the Kashka-Su river. From the south you can see the powerful Pamir. Dinner here and then we cook on gas burners.

3 day

The active part of the route begins. We move through endless onion fields. Climbing up the Kashka-Su valley. Behind there is a great view of the Pamirs and Lenin Peak. The Zaalai Range frames the Alai Valley from the south. Overnight in the upper reaches of the river.


Day 4

We continue to climb in the morning. Trek to the mouth of the Kekdzhar River. Smooth gradual climb. Yaks and horses graze in places. Endless alpine meadows. From here, the next day, a 2-day ascent to Skobelev Peak (light) will begin. Then the descent back to the makeshift Base Camp.


Day 5

We take with us food for 2 days and go out to storm the Skobelev peak. The ascent will take 2 days: a day approaching the summit, the second day an assault and a return descent to the mouth of the Kekdzhar River. In the first half of the day, climbing along the Kekdzhar River, then going to the moraine ramparts. Ascent to the side moraine of the glacier. Overnight at about 4500 meters.


Day 6

Then climb up the open glacier. Climbing is best done in the morning, while the glacier is “not limp” and movement on it is safer. In the upper part of the glacier is closed, we go in bundles. possible cracks in the glacier. Movement in cats. Climbing the scree slope to the Sedlo Skobelev pass and further to the very top of Skobelev 5,051 meters, which received its name in the 19th century in honor of the talented Russian commander Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev, the hero of Plevna and Shipka, the liberator of Bulgaria from Turkish oppression and a supporter of strengthening Russia and rapprochement of the Slavs . Skobelev Peak is highest point Ridge Kichik-Alai. Descent along the path of ascent to the camp on the side moraine. Late lunch and descent back to the left things in the Kekjar river valley.




Day 7

Trek to the cascade of Damdzhailo lakes. On the way we make a stop for lunch. On one of the picturesque lakes we stop for the night.

Day 8

Day in picturesque place. Also, this day is a reserve in case of bad weather on previous days.


Day 9

After a day of rest, you will have to climb the not difficult Kyzylkur pass (1A, 4,500 meters), however, there will be a decent climb. Further descent to the river of the same name, approach to the next pass.


Day 10

Plan for the 10th day: Tyuz-Ashu pass (1A, 4273 meters) - Tyuz river - Kichik-Alai river.

Day 11

Gradual climb along the Kichik-Alai river, then exit to the valley of the Kara-Sel river and up along it. The river valley is compared with the famous Grand Canyon - one of the deepest canyons in the world, for the similarity of landscapes.


day 12

Kara-Sel river - Kichik-Alai pass (n / a, 4082 meters) - descent along the Kichik-Alai river. This pass is one of the easiest on the route. Yaks graze on its slopes.


day 13

Further descent along the wide valley of the Kichik-Alai river. Numerous yaks grazing can be seen in the valley. In places yurts with local shepherds. We pass by shepherds living in yurts to a small village. Then departure to the city of Osh. The journey takes several hours. Accommodation in a guest house, where dinner, shower and clean clothes are waiting for us.




Day 14

Departure of participants to their homes

The itinerary or route schedule can be adjusted on the spot, based on weather conditions, group readiness and other circumstances.

Program cost: 29 900 rub.

Included in the price:

  • Accommodation in Osh city (in the city center) before and after the route (2 nights)
  • Transfer to the mountains and back from the city of Osh (by car)
  • Meals on the route (we cook ourselves on the burners), breakfast in the city of Osh on the second day;
  • Group equipment (gas, burner, pharmacy)
  • Instructor

Price does NOT include:

  • Flight to the city of Osh and back (there is regular air communication with Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and others major cities RF, and can also be reached with a change in Bishkek).
  • Meals while traveling by car (stops at roadside cafes), while staying in the city of Osh (except breakfast on the 2nd day);
  • Other expenses not covered by the program;

- this is the eastern part of Pamir-Alai, which in the western part is called Fanami :), then comes Matcha and High Alai, and in the east - Kichik-Alai (or Small Alai).

The area is not high by Asian standards - the highest point is the Chon-Kumtor Peak (Skobelev Peak) 5051, and quite simple - the bulk of the passes up to 2A-2B, heights from 4000 to 4800. From what I saw earlier, it is most similar to the South Chuisky Range, but one kilometer higher. Most of our overnight stays were at the level of 4000 m.

The area is relatively new, intensively developed over the past 10 years, although there were hikes before - many passes in last years"First climbed" for the second time.
Our short (7-8 days) hike was acclimatization before trampling the slopes of Lenin Peak. The idea of ​​the route is to cross the ridge from north to south, go to the Skobelev peak, and also visit the Damdzhailoo lakes. As a result, the route passed:

d.r. Ak-Art - trans. Ak-Art (1B, 4500) - lane 4150 n / a - lane. Bypass (1A, 4200) - the sources of the river. Karasil - trans. Spartak (2A, 4650) - Damdzhailoo lakes - per. Kekdzhar (n / c) - d.b. Kekdzhar - Chon-Kumtor Peak (Skobelev Peak, 1B, 5051) - d.r. Kashka-su

Day 1.
In the morning we flew to Osh, in the afternoon we left in two off-road vehicles, having managed to purchase and distribute food, and collect supplies for the MAL. The beginning of the route is the Ak-Art valley, the settlement of the same name.
To drive about 100 km is close by Asian standards, but the second part of the way, along the Chile valley, goes along the dirt road, which is periodically washed out, covered with mudflows, etc.

Side gorge, view from the road in the Chile valley.

We got there without incident, and even drove a little higher than planned. After walking a couple of kilometers, we stop for the night in a picturesque place on the banks of the river. Nearby is a well-traveled path, along which cows wander down the valley.

Day 2
The next two days - approach along the valley of the Ak-Art river under the pass of the same name, you need to dial more than 2 km, from 2400 to 4600. The valley is quite long, so the climb is smooth, along a good path. The lower part is covered with juniper (a type of juniper) forest, at times it seems that you are walking somewhere in the Crimea :). We pass several cats along the way.

upper koshi in Ak-Art valley

We dine under the takeoff of the crossbar, for good it would be necessary to spend the night here. But it's still early, so after lunch we'll go up two crossings, past the waterfall - to the next step of the valley.

The altitude of the overnight stay is about 3500. The weather is good so far.

Day 3
Again up the valley - the trail is worse, but the climb is just as smooth.

They thought that civilization had already ended - but horses graze under the very moraine of the glacier. However, a caravan route once passed through our first Ak-Art pass (1B, 4500).

By lunchtime we go out under the glacier and stand on sandy platforms. It turned out to be a half-day, but you shouldn't rush - and so the height is already more than 4000. After lunch, walks around the neighborhood, dominoes and other delights of high-altitude idleness.

per. Ak-Art (Akart)

Day 4
Finally, the promised bad weather began;) - in the morning rain and fog, we leave at about 11. Climbing along a gentle open glacier, then a scree take-off (and where is the promised path ??) - and we are at the saddle.
The southern slopes of the ridge are steeper, almost snowless and Asian-colored.

We need to go around the spur and, without descending into the valley of Eastern Kichik-Alay, jump out under the next pass - H / K, 4150 after which there is another climb around the canyon (1A, 4200, Bypass). The Kichik-Alai pass is nothing remarkable, n / c as n / c - a gentle grassy rise, a wide saddle. The weather is good :)

Having crossed into the upper reaches of the right tributary of the river. Karasil, we started climbing the spur - as it turned out, too early, anyway, we had to go down to the river for the night. But they were rewarded with views of the upper reaches of the canyon.

View of the 4898: most of the peaks in the area are nameless (and untrodden), the exception is the area of ​​the a/l Kirgiz-Ata, which, apparently, was mastered by the Urals - what are the names Legendary Magnitka or Chelyabinsk Rabochy :)

Day 5
The morning pleased with the snow that fell during the night, good weather and gorgeous views :)

We climb out to the Bypass pass - there is no saddle as such, the ridge can be crossed anywhere. The canyon, by the way, is quite passable, but the path goes into the valley much lower - and we need to go up to the Spartak pass.

Karasil valley, view to the west from Obkhodnaya pass

Having descended from the pass, we begin to climb up the valley along numerous animal paths. Above there are two ways - either along the moraines (as we went), or along the path that goes high along the right-bank slope.

Crossing over Karasil.

The upper reaches of the Karasil valley, the saddle of the lane is marked. Spartacus (2A, 4650).

Since the area is not very visited (compared to, for example, the Caucasus), there are paths (cattle and shepherd's) mainly on the green - higher, on the moraines - off-road. There are also few parking lots in the upper reaches.
We found a place on the right-bank moraine, and very on time - traditional snow and fog until the evening.

Day 6
In the morning it cleared up a little, we go to the Spartak pass, 2A.

in the background - in 4882

The pass is not avalanche-prone - the ascent passes along the buttress. And in comparison with the descriptions, this year there is little snow. The steepness is up to 40 degrees, but there is enough snow, we go without bundles, adhering to rocky outcrops.

Behind the pass is the highlight of the hike - Lake Damdzhailoo. There are 7 or 8 of them. Upper lake, below - Double.

The descent goes along the side valley to the Double Lake - straight downs. The weather turned bad - rain, fog. The group stretched out - not everyone walks confidently on wet stones. Finally, we go out to Double, find a place for tents - and, lo and behold, the sun again.

Another photo session - this time around Damdzhailoo Lake.

At the bottom of the Alai Valley and behind it is the massif of Lenin Peak.

These are the lower lakes. The saddle of our next Kekdzhar pass is visible on the left.

Day 7
The next pass - again n / a, Kekdzhar - to the valley of the same name. Broad saddle with high mountain tundra.

Descent to the Kekdzhar valley.

Gradually we approach the glacier, ...

... and then to the upper circus. The height of the overnight stay is about 4800, Skobelev Peak is in the background.

Overnight stay under Skobelev Peak (Chon-Kumtor)

Evening delighted with the sunset…

... and the morning - tolerable weather.

Day 8
Chon-Kumtor Peak (Skobelev Peak), 5051 is the highest point of the region. From the south, from the glacier (through the Sedlo Skobelev pass), the easiest way is 1B.

We leave after a light breakfast, the ascent and descent took a little over 2 hours. We pack up and run down, lunch below the glacier.
Then we go down the Kekdzhar, and then along the Kashka-su. On the way, rain caught up with us, a thunderstorm - without stopping, we run down.

Kashka-su valley, the rain has passed

bad weather over Alai valley

view of Alai valley

We camp for the night in the Kashka-su valley. In the evening, cows came to visit, very arrogant - we had to defend ourselves. Also, when staging a fashionable one-layer Mountain Hardware, the rack was broken.

Mountain Hardware and Vaude Space 3 in the Kashka-su valley.

Day 9
The exit to civilization is down the Kashka-su valley to the village of the same name.
Asian contrasts - swamp in the valley and dry slopes.

Local color.

We had lunch in the village, and surprisingly easily found transport to the MAL.


135 years ago, in July-August 1876, the so-called Alai campaign took place, which ended with the annexation of the southern part of modern Kyrgyzstan to the Russian Empire. In his report dated October 23, 1876 to the commander of the troops of the Turkestan military district, the commander of the Alai detachment, Major General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev, in the future the famous Russian commander, famous " white general”, reporting on the results of his “military-scientific” expedition, wrote: “The Karakirghiz, who inhabit the mountainous strip, were brought into obedience, a Russian government was established between them ... From now on, these nomads, who did not recognize anyone's power, are Russian subjects. Our position on the Kashgar border was revealed. Misunderstandings with the Caratigen are over. Countries completely unknown to Europeans have been discovered, and about 25 thousand square miles have been mapped..

The Alai campaign fully reflected the “voluntary-compulsory” nature of the accession of Central Asia to the Russian Empire - where possible, the imperial authorities tried to avoid the use of force, acting mainly with the help of a “carrot”, that is, trying to convince the population future colonial possessions in the immeasurable benefits of being in the sphere of Russian influence.

But since the mid-1960s, a much more “hard” line has prevailed: as soon as the achievement of main goal- the establishment of complete Russian domination - met even the slightest resistance, the most severe blows fell on the "recalcitrant" in order to explain to the "unreasonable natives" the whole senselessness of resistance.
And it must be admitted that in the end, such tactics, based, of course, primarily on the huge military superiority of Russia, worked - gradually more and more representatives of the local elite were forced to recognize the inevitability and even "goodness" of the transition of their peoples under the rule of the Russian crown .
This is evidenced, in particular, by life path so bright and unique historical figure, as Kurmanzhan-Datka (1811-1907), nicknamed the "Queen of Alai".

"Queen of Alai"
After the capture of Tashkent by Russian troops (1865), only the Ferghana Valley remained in direct subordination to the Kokand khans. True, purely formally, the sovereignty of Kokand extended to the mountainous regions of southern Kyrgyzstan - the Alai Valley. However, the militant nomadic population of these regions (in Russia they were called "Karakirghiz" and "Kipchaks") essentially never submitted to Kokand. Moreover, quite often they raided the flat Kokand lands.

Kokand regularly sent troops against the Alai, but each time these punitive expeditions failed, running into the most stubborn resistance of the highlanders. In the end, the Kokand khans were forced to come to terms with the real independence of the mountainous region and, in fact, recognize the peculiar patriarchal state that had developed here, headed by a woman ruler - a situation that is rare for the Islamic East!
This woman's name was Kurmanzhan. She was born in the family of a simple nomad from the Mongush clan. At the age of 18, she was given in marriage to a man whom she first saw on her wedding day. She did not like him, and, contrary to custom, she did not go to her husband, but remained in her father's Yurt. In 1832, the Alai feudal lord Alimbek, who received the title of “datka” (ruler) of all the Kirghiz of Alai from the Kokand Khan, freed her from the marriage agreement and married her himself. Due to the frequent absence of her husband (he became close to the Kokand Khan, and then the first vizier), Kurmanjan, in fact, ruled Alay. After the death of Alimbek, who fell victim to a palace conspiracy in Kokand (1862), she openly took power into her own hands.
However, the Kokand Khan Khudoyar declared the Alai Kirghiz his subjects and imposed taxes on them, which was completely unacceptable for the nomads, who never paid anything to anyone. Kurmanzhan opposed this and, as a result of a stubborn struggle, she achieved success. First, it was recognized by the Emir of Bukhara Muzaffar, and then by Khudoyar Khan himself. She was assigned honorary title Datki "with proper label and gifts". She became the only woman who was honored with a solemn reception in the palace of the Emir of Bukhara.

Kurmanjan-Datka very quickly acquired a reputation as the wisest ruler, successfully settled the tribal disputes of the mountainous Kyrgyz, and pursued a policy independent of the Kokand Khanate. This outstanding woman perfectly understood the significance of the Great Silk Road and organized something like a customs: first, sending her people towards the caravan to intimidate, and then, when the merchants turned to her, as a ruler, for help and protection, Kurmanzhan named her price for the safe passage of travelers. She was assisted by her sons - Abdullabek, Mamytbek, Kamchibek and Asanbek, as well as her nephew Mirza-Payas. Each of them controlled a part of the Kirghiz nomad camps in Alai.

The collapse of the Kokand kingdom
Meanwhile, a social explosion was brewing in the Kokand Khanate itself. The loss of territories occupied by Russian troops caused a reduction in treasury revenues, which prompted Khan Khudoyar to increase taxes on the remaining population. The collection of taxes was accompanied by monstrous arbitrariness, which turned the "financial policy" of the khan's authorities into outright robbery. In addition, the endless bloody tribal and palace civil strife did not stop, ruining the economy of the region and taking away many human lives.

All this, in the end, led to a popular uprising (1873) against Khan Khudoyar in the southeast of Kokand, and then throughout the Ferghana Valley. Basic driving force the uprisings were social bottoms - nomadic Kyrgyz and Uzbek farmers.
Interestingly, a significant part of the rebels saw Russia as their protector from the khan's violence. Even at the beginning of the uprising, in November 1873, a deputation of the Kokand Kirghiz presented the Russian administration of the Turkestan Territory with a list of 42 Kirghiz clans, whose members expressed a desire to accept Russian citizenship. In the spring of 1874, a group of rebels led by the Kirghiz Mamyr turned to the Governor-General of Turkestan Konstantin Petrovich Kaufman with a request to accept them into Russian citizenship.
In April of the same year, the rebellious Kyrgyz, whose number was, according to their own calculation, more than 200 thousand, in a letter addressed to the Russian citizen Zhurabek (who was on close terms with Kaufman and spoke Russian), asked him to petition for their acceptance into Russian citizenship. .

The rebels, in particular, wrote: “As you know, all the Kyrgyz subordinate to Kokand are considered subjects of Khudoyar Khan. Oppression, persecution, terrible executions, somehow impalement, which we are subjected to by the khan, and punishment with sticks, forced us to fall away from the khan and take a hostile position in relation to his family ... If there is an opportunity and it will not be difficult for you, report about all of the above to the Governor General. With the consent of His Excellency, we, the unfortunate subjects of Kokand, could get rid of the tyranny of Khudoyar Khan and find peace..

When Mullah Iskhak Khasan-uulu (born Kirghiz from the Boston tribe) became the leader of the rebels, calling himself Pulatkhan, the grandson of the late Kokand Khan Alim, he also tried to establish ties with the Turkestan colonial administration and sent his envoys to the governor-general. However, the Russian authorities arrested his delegation.

So in vain did the rebels expect support from Russia. According to the agreement of 1868, St. Petersburg undertook to provide assistance to the "legitimate power", and as such, he recognized first Khan Khudoyar, and then his heir Nasreddin. Since the autumn of 1875, the Russian administration began to openly defend the Kokand Khan, sending troops to help him. Until recently, the "natives" who asked for Russian citizenship followed the progress of the Russian troops with bewilderment.

Kurmanzhan Datka initially sympathized with the rebels and, in general, sympathized with their appeals for help to Russia. However, after the decisive intervention of Russian troops in Kokand affairs, the “Alai queen” changed her attitude towards Russian politics, without preventing his eldest son Abdullabek from becoming one of the most active allies of the "Kyrgyz Pugachev" - the false Pulatkhan.
The latter announced to Russia gazavat ( holy war), and the rebels began to increasingly attack not only Russian soldiers in the Kokand Khanate proper, but also invaded the boundaries of the governor-general. So, for example, one of the detachments went to the Tashkent-Khodzhent tract, where he began to burn postal stations, capturing coachmen and passers-by.
And in general, the uprising began to acquire an openly anti-Russian character. The atrocities committed Russian troops during the suppression of the uprising, they were "balanced" by all kinds of atrocities against Russian prisoners of war and settlers.

However, the Russian intervention did not save the Kokand khans: in July 1875, when the rebel detachments approached Kokand, Khudoyarkhan, betrayed by his own army, fled under the protection of the Russian authorities. In October, the same fate befell his son and heir, Nasreddin. The rebels led by "Pulatkhan" captured Namangan, and the Russian garrison, hiding in the citadel, was barely able to repulse the assault. In response, new Russian troops were transferred to the Namangan region, led by the then Colonel Skobelev. His Namangan detachment began to make desperate raids into various regions of the khanate, crushing the rebels everywhere.
"Pulatkhan" tried to resist the offensive of the tsarist troops, but was defeated near Andijan and near Asaka. Departing with five thousand soldiers to Uch-Korgon, he was overtaken by a detachment of Baron Meller-Zakomelsky, who unexpectedly attacked the rebel camp. "Pulatkhan", however, managed to escape to Alai. Meller-Zakomelsky's detachment followed in his footsteps. Between the villages of Karayantak and Kaprabat, the Russians overtook the rebel convoy. “His cover was cut down... All the named villages were burned,” the tsarist punishers reported.

In January 1876, Kaufman was able to obtain, bypassing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the emperor's sanction for the complete liquidation of the Kokand Khanate, they did not even think about restoring Khudoyar or Nasreddin to the throne. Skobelev, who was stationed in Namangan, received a telegram from General Trotsky with the order to move to Kokand and the postscript "Misha, don't yawn!".
Skobelev's detachment, having covered more than 80 kilometers in a day, occupied Kokand almost without a fight. By a decree of February 19, 1876, the Kokand Khanate was liquidated and, under the name of the Fergana region, was included in the Turkestan Governor-General. The first military governor of the new region was now Major General M.D. Skobelev.

And "Pulatkhan" on the night of February 18-19 was captured by his own comrades-in-arms and handed over Russian authorities. Involved in many atrocities, this "Kyrgyz Pugachev" was hanged on March 1, 1876 in the city square of Margelan - where he dealt with Russian prisoners.

"Definitely a special expedition"
But there was still recalcitrant Alai. The local population almost did not participate in hostilities, and therefore they did not have to experience any sensitive blows from the Russian army. Partly for this reason, partly because of their confidence in the inaccessibility of their wanderings among the mountain gorges of Alai, the “Karakirghiz” did not see any particular threat in the assertion of Russian rule in the Fergana Valley.
The local elite did not have a unified position on the issue of relations with Russia. Kurmanzhan-Datka's nephew Mirza-Payas belonged to a kind of "peace party" - he offered to enter into negotiations with Kaufman. But the “party of war” was headed by Abdullabek. He was actively supported by refugees from the Ferghana Valley. Kurmanzhan Datka herself, with a part of ordinary nomads, preferred to migrate as far as possible from the Russian troops - to the border with Kashgar.
In early April 1876, Abdullabek's detachment of 1,500 horsemen took up hard-to-reach positions in the highlands of Zhanyryk, 25 versts from Gulcha. On April 25, they put up stubborn resistance to Skobelev's detachment, which, nevertheless, managed to oust the Kirghiz from their positions. Moreover, the Sarybagysh manap greatly helped the Russians (Manap is the ruler. - Approx. ed.) Shabdan Dzhantaev (1839-1912) - a longtime supporter of the empire from the north of present-day Kyrgyzstan, who took part in the conquest of the Kokand Khanate and in operations against "Pulatkhan", for which he received George Cross.

With the onset of summer, the Alay people became active again. In June, a detachment of 400 people appeared near the Sokh River (south of Kokand), but was driven away by the unit of Captain Bogolyubov, who pursued the rebels for several days and burned two auls along the way. At the same time, the Russian diplomatic agent Rizakhan-Khoja, who was returning from Karategin, was killed and robbed by the Kirghiz. Meanwhile, Abdullabek settled in the Daraut-Kurgan fortress, from where he raided the Ferghana Valley.

A semi-battalion of infantry under Captain Spolatbog was sent against him. The Russian infantry, met by hurricane fire, could not dislodge Abdullabek's forces from impregnable rocks, suffered losses and returned to Margelan. All this began to have a bad effect on the loyalty of the seemingly “pacified” population of Kokand and Fergana, and therefore the Russian administration came to the conclusion that more energetic measures were needed.
General Skobelev himself, who repeatedly reported this to his superiors, was a resolute supporter of "certainly a special expedition to the Alai Valley" with the aim of "immediately bringing it to obedience". It was he who was appointed by Kaufman as the commander of the Alai detachment, which had to carry out an incredibly difficult mission.

Kaufman was instructed to undertake a “movement to the mountains” in the summer in order to “explore the entire mountainous region and take appropriate measures on the spot for the complete subordination of our power to the Karakirgiz and the possible elimination of unrest in the future.” The detachment was allocated: one company each from the 2nd, 4th, 14th and 15th Turkmen line battalions; two companies from the 1st Turkmen Rifle Battalion; sapper team of 15 people; equestrian construction division; three hundred Orenburg and two hundred Ural Cossacks; rocket battery of 8 machine tools and 4 mining guns. In addition, Shabdan Dzhantaev's flying detachment of 40 horsemen operated as part of the Russian troops. The expedition was divided into three columns:
1) Uch-Kurganskaya, Colonel Yuniy;
2) Osh, lieutenant colonel Garnovsky;
3) Gulchinskaya, Lieutenant Colonel Garder.

For scientific research the naturalist V.F. Oshanin, A.R. Bonsdorf, who was engaged in astronomical observations, and the military geographer, Lieutenant Colonel of the General Staff L.F. Kostenko, were with the detachment. The detachment's columns concentrated at assembly points on 16 July. Meanwhile, on July 12, in Margelan, Skobelev received news that Abdullabek, proclaimed khan, had taken a strong position in the Shot tract (about 50 kilometers from Osh) and that the Kirghiz intended to make a series of raids into the valley and take over Naukat. Therefore, on July 14, Naukat was occupied by the Meller-Zakomelsky detachment. Skobelev himself decided to start moving with the Osh column and part of the Gulchin column, defeat the enemy, who had concentrated at Shot, and then act according to circumstances. On July 17 and 18, the offensive into the mountains began.
Skobelev led the Osh column through the Taldyk pass. The Russian troops reached the Yangi-Aryk tract without skirmishes. But before entering the gorge, the Cossacks reported to Skobelev that the Kirghiz had fortified there, burned the bridges across the Belauli River and, under the leadership of Abdullah Bek himself, were preparing to repulse him. The general, hoping to quickly put an end to the rebels, ordered the infantry to "drive out the negligents." But the Kirghiz offered stubborn resistance. Hiding behind the stone rubble, they fired accurately and repelled the attack. Then Skobelev decided to bypass the enemy from the rear.

Five days later, scouts collected detailed information about ways to bypass the enemy position. From the right flank, from the side of the Taldyk pass, Abdullabek bypassed the detachment under the command of Major Ionov. He went to the rear of Abdullabek, restored the burnt bridge across the river under enemy fire and, having crossed it, took up positions for the attack.
On the left, the retreat path to the mound of Omar-bek was cut off by Cossack hundreds under the command of Colonel Prince Wittgenstein. However, Abdullabek and his brothers Mamytbek and Asanbek managed to escape at night. Wittgenstein's detachment followed on the heels of the fugitives, but almost died during a snowstorm on the shores of Lake Kara-Kul. The rebellious Kyrgyz managed to get away from the chase and hide in Afghanistan.

Captivity of Kurmanjan-Datka
The news of the battle on Yangi-Aryk also reached the queen of Alai, and she fled with her property to Kashgar. On the border, she was robbed by the Kashgarians, who, moreover, did not let her into the state of Yakubkhan. Kurmanjan-datka, accompanied by her son Kamchibek and nephew Mirza-Payas, was forced to return back. On July 29, near the town of Bordaba, Dzhantaev’s horsemen accidentally came upon her, who captured her and handed her over to the Cossacks of Prince Wittgenstein, who had already delivered her to Skobelev. Very interesting memories of the Russian officer B.L. Tageev, an eyewitness to the capture of Kurmanzhan-datka and her meeting with Skobelev, have been preserved: “At this time, General Skobelev was in the fortification of Gulcha, and I was instructed to deliver the arrested Queen Alay and her two batyrs to him. I was very happy with this assignment. Entering the yurt where the prisoner was placed, I saw a Kyrgyz woman of small stature, although not young, but beautiful, sitting on a carpet in an Asian fashion, dressed in a brocade robe trimmed with some kind of fur - she was a Datka.
She sat sadly with her head bowed. In front of her was a tray on which lay pistachios, sultanas, and other native sweets. The Queen of Scarlet, apparently, was thinking about what had happened to her lately, and she was all immersed in her grief. She did not immediately notice the appearance of the officer, and only a few seconds later, with a start, looked at me. Through an interpreter, I told her that I was appointed to accompany her to Gulcha, where General Skobelev was now; she was completely indifferent to my words. “Now I am a slave of the Russians, who can do whatever they want with me, it means that this is the will of Allah,” she answered through an interpreter, and large tears flashed from the narrow slits of her eyes.
Through an interpreter, Kurmanjan-datka was told that tomorrow she would be taken to a Russian camp. “Hop, hop, taksyr (Ok, ok, your honor),” she said and nodded her head in agreement. The next morning the convoy set off. The Cossacks escorted the prisoners. Datka sat cheerfully in the saddle, dressed in a velvet fur coat with galloons and a cap with a brocade top, trimmed with fur.
Approaching Lyaangar, I noticed a large gathering of Kirghiz and Cossacks near the post station house, who reported that the general was going to Alai and stopped here for a rest. I ordered to report on myself, and was immediately received. Having informed about the purpose of my arrival, I received an order to bring the prisoners into the house. Datka, accompanied by Kamchibek and Mirza-Payas, entered the room. Both bowed low, while the captive queen stood in silence, bowing her head. Skobelev got up, went up to her and held out his hand. Datka, apparently, was taken aback, she did not expect such a reception, and a joyful smile lit up her face. She shook the hero's hand and said something to him in Kyrgyz.
“Tell Datka,” Skobelev turned to the Kirghiz interpreter, lieutenant Baitakov, who was standing here, “that I am very glad to see her in good health and I hope that, using her great importance in Alai, she will also influence the nomadic population to bow to peace and obey Russian requirements. I heard a lot about her wise administration and the importance she deserved from the neighboring khans, and therefore I am sure that Datka will understand the futility of a hostile attitude towards the Russians. Tell her, - said the general, when the translator translated part of his speech, - that she, as a mother, can be proud of her sons. Abdullabek sacredly fulfilled his duty and left only when it was already unthinkable to fight. But let her know that the Russians know how to appreciate the bravery of their enemies. If she manages to persuade her sons to leave Afghanistan and return to Alai, then I will reward them, as heroes should be rewarded, and now I ask Datka to accept dostarkhan.
And the general ordered to bring, according to native custom, a huge tray, on which a whole mountain of native treats towered; after that, he personally put on a brocade honorary robe on the captive and turned to the batyrs, admonishing them to faithfully serve Russia.
Completion of the expedition

Meanwhile, the development of events confirmed the correctness of Skobelev's plan, which assumed the simultaneous offensive of all three columns: the area at the confluence of the Shot and Ak-Bura rivers, where about 2000 rebels gathered and the exit to which was protected by a stone blockage, was cleared without a fight and occupied by parts of the Osh column . Its vanguard moved forward, occupied the auls of the fleeing Kirghiz and took possession of the cattle found here. Major Ionov's column also came out here.
Wittgenstein's detachment moved after the enemy retreating from the Shot tract to the Kaindy pass. Skobelev also moved there, who, convinced of the impossibility of overtaking the enemy here and fearing to move away from Osh without a supply of food, returned the united columns to the Shot tract. By July 31, the Gulchinskaya column and the Wittgenstein detachment, having crossed the Alai Range along the Saryk-Mogol Pass, came to the Alai Valley, by August 6 the Osh column arrived here and on August 14 - Uch-Kurgan. The troops had to overcome incredible difficulties and hardships when moving along snowy passes, the ascent to which was sometimes possible only by steps cut down in icy rocks.

During this time, separate flying detachments pursued rebel groups that fled in all directions and negotiated with local leaders. As a result, numerous deputations of nomads began to arrive at Skobelev, who announced the cessation of resistance, the transition to the power of the Russian Empire and their agreement to pay the appointed indemnity by supplying horses for the detachment and constructing the Gulcha-Alai wheeled road through the Taldyk-Davan pass.

On August 7, Skobelev set out from Archa-Bulak to review the Kashgar border. At the same time, it turned out that Yakubkhan, taking advantage of the weakening of the khan's power in the last years of Khudoyar's reign, without any agreement annexed southern slopes Scarlet. Not content with the border watershed, he extended his possessions to the upper reaches of the Tara River, near Uzgent, which flows into the Kara Darya. Thus, part of the Kirghiz, now subject to the Russian crown, fell into submission to Kashgar. In addition, on the upper reaches of the Tara, Yakubkhan built the Oital fortification, and behind Irkshitan, the Uluk-Chash fortification, which made it possible for the Kashgar authorities to influence the Kirghiz roaming along the Tara and Kara-Darya. On Alaika, as Skobelev later reported, “ restless elements and those unwilling to pay(submit)".

The settlement of border issues led to the fact that the entire detachment remained in the Alai Valley until August 28. From the place of the last stop at Daraut-Kurgan, Skobelev made reconnaissance of the Altip-Dara gorge and the Muk-Su valley, and, finally, at the head of most of the detachment, set out back to Kokand, through the Kara-Kazyk pass. This path was again extremely difficult: we had to walk along a glacier covered with stones. Nevertheless, on September 1, the detachment went to Vuadil, a village lying at the foot of the mountains, but already in the Ferghana Valley. The rest of the detachment remained in Alai until September 15, carrying out reconnaissance and research and dispersing the surviving rebel groups.

During the expedition, Skobelev never forgot the scientists who were in the detachment, and provided them with all kinds of assistance. The results were not long in coming. As already noted, up to 26 thousand miles were mapped, and with the definition of 11 astronomical points. In addition, 42 barometric measurements were made from Kokand to the Uch-Bel-Su pass; magnetic declination was determined at 5 points, rich natural-historical collections were collected.

In his memorandum dated October 23, 1876, Skobelev paid much attention, in modern terms, to geopolitics. Concerning the problem of borders with Kashgar, he argued that “to put up with such borders is unthinkable, both because it deprives us of convenient administrative points for managing our mountain subjects, and also mainly because we should not allow anyone else to influence them, except ours”. insisting on "recognition of the entire Fergana Tien Shan as ours", the general proposed to found " on our new Kashgar border in the form in which I dare to ask Your Excellency to recognize it", Cossack villages and even a whole Cossack army, "once and for all providing us with the actual possession of a mountain strip and providing power in the region of the Russian element".
Skobelev considered "the crown of our efforts in the Central Asian issue" the ability to "take such a threatening position with respect to the Asian British possessions that would facilitate the solution in our favor of the difficult Eastern question - in other words: to conquer Tsargrad in a timely, politically and strategically directed demonstration." Soon the Russian-Turkish war began, and Skobelev left Turkestan, heading for the Balkan theater of operations, where he happened to confirm his exceptional leadership qualities.

royal widow
Thus, as a result of Skobelev's expedition, Alai "with 17380 families" was annexed to Russia. Five volosts were formed on this territory: Kichi-Alai, Naukat, Gulchin, Uzgen and Ak-Bura, which became part of the Osh district. It is interesting that the sons of Kurmanzhan-Datka were appointed to manage them: Omorbek, Kamchibek, Asanbek and Batyrbek.
The fact is that even during a meeting with Skobelev, the “Queen of Alai” gave the general a promise that while she lives in the world, there will be peace and tranquility in Alai. And Skobelev gave her full confidence, allowing her to live freely, where she wants. To protect his people from bloodshed, Kurmanzhan-Datka "officially" announced the accession of the Alai Kirghiz to Russia.

Her letter to the Fergana military governor Ionov stated: “When the Fergana Muslim state did not recognize Russia yet, I fought and argued with you ... In this peaceful time, I declare: all my people, myself and my relatives will never oppose you. There will be no trouble from us. If my people do badly and become a traitor, then I will punish the guilty person with the most severe measure, I will suffer forever until the end of my days..
Her sons Mamytbek and Asanbek and many other Kirghiz returned from Afghanistan. Only Abdullabek did not return to Alay, but went to Mecca, but did not endure the difficult and dangerous journey and died on the way from his wounds.

Skobelev confirmed the title of Kurmanzhan. She remained rich, owned a large livestock and enjoyed great prestige among the Kirghiz. Russian newspapers and magazines late XIX centuries translated her title simply: queen. The royal widow was very popular not only in the press. There is evidence that the same Shabdan Dzhantaev (he received the rank of military foreman, in 1883 he was part of the Turkestan delegation at the coronation Alexander III) married the queen. As a result of the proposed dynastic marriage, the south and north of Kyrgyzstan could unite for the first time. But Kurmanzhan rejected all marriage proposals.

Not only representatives of the Turkestan colonial administration, but also Russian emperor twice honored her with his attention: once he granted Kurmanzhan-datka an expensive ring with precious stone, in the other - gave a gold watch, showered with diamonds. She survived eight governors-general. Each of them tried to see her and left her some valuable keepsake. Kurmanzhan was entered in the register of the ruling families of the Romanov court, received the rank of colonel, she was addressed as “Your Grace”.

However, all these honors did not save Kurmanzhan from personal tragedy. In 1893, two of her sons and two grandsons were accused of smuggling, and her beloved son Kamchibek, the ruler of Osh, was charged with the murder of a customs official. This story remains rather dark and unclear until now, but then everything ended very badly. Even Kurmanzhan, with her influence, could not help out her sons and grandchildren. All her petitions, as well as the petitions of influential Russian friends, were rejected, Kamchibek was hanged, and the rest were exiled to Siberia. According to popular rumor, the faithful Kirghiz offered her to recapture the convicts by force, but Kurmanzhan refused, saying: “It is bitter to realize that my younger one will go to another world, but I will never bear the fact that my people will die because of my son. Then there will be no justification for me either in this world or in this world. ”.

The execution of his son caused Kurmanzhan the deepest mental trauma. She gave away her property and retired to her native village. In 1906, it was visited by Colonel of the Guard Karl Mannerheim, who, on the instructions of the General Staff, made a long trip to Asia. The future Finnish marshal and president of Finland testified that Kurmanzhan was surrounded sincere love and popular reverence.