The Gumilyov Journal of History is an international, peer-reviewed scientific and historical journal that is open to all readers. The journal's stated mission is to become a leading creative hub that promotes research on all aspects of the history of Kazakhstan (Domestic History) and Eurasia in a broad sense, from the eastern to western margins. Main thematic areas of the journal: Archaeology, World History, National History. The journal welcomes articles that place these regions in a global context (World History). The journal was initially published until December 31, 2024, under the title “Bulletin of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. Series: Historical Sciences. Philosophy. Religious Studies”, first published in 1995. The journal was established by Non-profit joint-stock company L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, a leading scientific and educational institution in Central Asia that has made significant contributions to advancing academic science, interdisciplinary research, and disseminating scientific knowledge. The university, named after the great Eurasian thinker Lev Nikolaevich Gumilyov, upholds the traditions of in-depth historical analysis by integrating interdisciplinary research methods, scientific support, a solid methodological foundation, and access to extensive academic resources. The mission and objectives of the journal are to unite scholars working on relevant regional thematic areas, such as archaeology, historiography, source studies, ethnography, and ethnology, providing a platform to present the best theoretical, empirical, and analytical scientific works dedicated to the history of Kazakhstan and the Eurasian continent. The journal's brand is built upon an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral synthesis, bringing together unique thematic areas in the study of history. The Gumilyov Journal of History is intended for professional historians, researchers, educators, graduate students, and undergraduates interested in historical processes within the Eurasia and beyond. The journal publishes original research articles, review papers, book reviews, archival studies, and analytical materials. The journal considers all manuscripts under the strict condition that the manuscript is the author's original work and does not duplicate any previously published works, including the author’s own prior publications. Founder and Publisher: Non-profit joint-stock company L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University 010008 Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, Satpayev 2 Certificate of re-registration for Periodical Print Publication and/or News Agency No. KZ41VPY00111229, issued on January 31, 2025, by the Information Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan. ISSN (Print) 3080-129Х ISSN (Online) 3080-6860 The history of renaming: Bulletin of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. Series: Historical Sciences. Philosophy. Religious Studies – 1995-2024 гг. Gumilyov Journal of History – since 2025. Publication frequency: 4 times a year (March, June, September, December). The journal publishes articles in Kazakh, English, and Russian languages. It is included in the list of journals recommended by the Science and Higher Education Quality Assurance Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Online First — accepted articles are published on the website with full citation details, assigned DOI, and registered in the Crossref database (DOI remains unchanged after publication). A pre-publication version of the article is available for download in PDF format. Readers can access the article in the "Accepted for Publication" section of the website, and authors can reference it as part of their scientific work in official reports, just like a final published article.
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Transition from the Soviet Model of Museums to the Modern Kazakhstani Model: Historical and Cultural Analysis
The article is devoted to the historical and cultural analysis of the transformation of the museum sector of Kazakhstan in the post-Soviet period. The research aims to identify the key stages of the transition from the Soviet model of museums, focused on ideological representation and centralized management, to the modern Kazakh museum as an institution of cultural memory, identity and public history. For the first time, the institutional, substantive, and conceptual changes that have occurred since 1991 have been analyzed within the framework of a unified approach, as well as the factors that influenced the formation of a new museum paradigm in the context of independence. The article describes the Soviet museums, which were a strictly centralized system subordinate to government agencies and used as an instrument of ideological control. Their main function was to broadcast the official historical version corresponding to the party line. Historical events were presented through the prism of class struggle, socialist construction, and the cult of heroism, especially in relation to the revolution, the Civil War, and the Great Patriotic War. One of the central places in the study is occupied by the question of the representation of historical memory: how attitudes towards such topics as the Famine of 1932-1933, Stalin's repressions, the Alash movement, and the deportation of ethnic minorities have changed. These events were previously marginalized or hushed up, but today they are becoming part of the museum narrative, reinterpreted through the prism of national identity and cultural sovereignty. The study reveals that today museums are increasingly viewed as not only repositories of artifacts, but also as spaces of reflection and dialogue with the past. In addition, they perform educational, communicative and memorial functions, providing a connecting thread between generations. Their activities contribute to the formation of a stable historical culture based on a critical understanding of both heroic and tragic pages of the past. Through museum practices, collective work with traumatic experiences is carried out, which is especially important in a multinational society striving for consolidation. The article also details the current challenges of the museum industry: lack of funding, institutional instability, lack of qualified personnel, lagging behind international standards in the field of digitalization and curatorial practice. The initiatives of the state policy, including "Rukhani Zhangyru" and "Uly Dala Eli", are considered as attempts to update the museum infrastructure and the semantic agenda. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the systematic formulation of issues of identity, memory and cultural transformation through the museum context. The work can be useful for historians, cultural scientists, museologists and specialists in the field of humanitarian policy of the post-Soviet space.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ye. Ibrayev, G. Nurusheva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
This article explores the ancient Turkic banner «urungu» («khorugv» or «gonfalon» type of banner) as a distinct form of military insignia among Turkic-Mongol peoples. On this type of military banner, the fly is attached to a horizontal crossbar, which hangs from the flagshaft. Depictions of such banners are often found on ancient Turkic monuments of art. The features of this type of military attribute in ancient Turkic culture have not yet been comprehensively examined in academic research, making this topic particularly relevant for the study of military insignia among medieval nomads. This study aims to investigate the use of this form of military banner during the ancient Turkic period. The subject of the research is the specific types and structural features of the urungu standard. Unfortunately, no physical examples of urungu banners from the ancient Turkic period have survived. Written sources on this type of military insignia among the Turks are also very limited. Therefore, the primary sources for this study are visual materials – foremost among them, artistic monuments created by the Turks and other Turkic-speaking tribes, as well as images of similar battle and religious banners from other Eastern and Western cultures. These include rock carvings, wall graffiti, images on numismatic and heraldic materials, as well as mural paintings of various kinds. Additional sources included written accounts, archaeological evidence, and material artifacts. The study also draws on previous research and publications related to petroglyphs of medieval nomads, which depict this type of banner. To determine the function, specific forms, and methods of use of this symbolic object, comparative data from analogous military insignia of other peoples were also employed. The research applies both general scientific and specialized methods from the fields of history and art history. Through comparison and correlation with similar materials and sources, the study identifies shared features, distinctive traits, and unique aspects of this particular form of ancient Turkic military insignia. The classification of urungu images into distinct types based on visual similarity follows a typological methodology. As a result of this comprehensive analysis, the study reconstructs various forms and types of this nomadic military symbol, examines their geographic distribution, and traces the history of their application. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the system of military symbolism among nomads and shed light on the functional specifics of these banners.
Copyright (c) 2026 K. Akhmetzhan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Elections to the Soviets in the Kazakh ASSR, 1922-1935: Through the Lens of Official Soviet Statistics
The article is devoted to an overview of early Soviet electoral statistics of the 1920s and the first half of the 1930s, as well as to an analysis of their informativeness as a historical source. The focus is on the critical interpretation of official statistical materials reflecting the course and results of elections to the Soviets, as well as an assessment of their potential for reconstructing electoral geography, the structure of the electorate, and methodological approaches to data interpretation. The aim of the study was to provide a detailed characterization of the outcomes of elections to the Soviets in the Kazakh ASSR in terms of their completeness, reliability, and correspondence to all-Russian trends, which makes it possible to identify the specific features of the political development of the autonomy in the context of the transformation of the Soviet electoral system. The article presents information on administrative-territorial changes in the Kazakh ASSR, the dynamics of the number of urban and rural settlements, and the formation of a network of lower-level Soviets that appeared in intermediate and final statistics. It is shown that the autonomy repeatedly ranked among the regions lagging behind in submitting statistical data to the Center, and that the number of territories of the Kazakh ASSR included in all-Russian summaries remained extremely limited. The author links this to ongoing administrative-territorial reforms, difficulties in population accounting, the high mobility of nomadic and semi-nomadic groups, and delays in establishing a stable network of local Soviets. The study analyzes data on the number of voters and disenfranchised persons, as well as turnout indicators in cities and auls/villages, compared with data for the RSFSR. A paradoxical situation is noted in which, despite the evident undercounting of voters, an increase in electoral activity was recorded, indicating the politicized nature of the statistics. It is concluded that from the mid 1920s official data demonstrated rising electoral activity in the Kazakh autonomy, exceeding RSFSR indicators, whereas in the first half of the 1930s a stable lag behind all-Russian values emerged. Official statistics, as emphasized in the article, clearly reflect the course toward the Sovietization of national peripheries, the drive to monopolize the interpretation of results, and the strengthening of administrative control over the electoral process. The study shows that the electoral statistics of the Kazakh ASSR constitute an important source for understanding the mechanisms of political mobilization, the specific features of regional governance, and the formation of the Soviet model of power in national republics.
Copyright (c) 2026 N. Ablazhey https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
The northern republics in the demographic landscape of Russia
The study is devoted to the demographic development of the northern republics of Russia, located in the European North – the Republics of Karelia and Komi; in the Asian North – the Republics of Sakha (Yakutia) and Tyva; in the southern part of Western Siberia – the Altai Republic; in Eastern Siberia – the Republic of Buryatia. All the named republics differ from other subjects of the Russian Federation in that they owe their names to the titular ethnic groups that constituted the ethnic majority during the period of their formation. In economic terms, all the titular republics have rich deposits of various minerals, which made them attractive for colonization and involvement in economic circulation at the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1930s and 1950s, all the republics became part of the Gulag economy, which radically changed their traditional way of life and economic activities. The article is based on current statistics and population censuses (1926-2021). On this basis, the transformation of the population dynamics of six republics is revealed: some republics demonstrated an increase in their numbers, others – a population decline, and there were also multidirectional dynamics. The importance of considering this issue is that the population dynamics of the republics determine their demographic potential and opportunities for economic development and the exploration of new territories. It is shown that along with external migration flows that have disturbed the demographic structures of the population (there are more men and disproportions in the age structure have arisen); the problems of the titular ethnic groups are examined in detail, the problems are revealed, how, from the dominant ethnic groups before the 20th century, they became both absolute and relative ethnic minorities. Economic expansion has led to a decrease in the territory of indigenous ethnic groups. The place of the northern ethnic groups in the national structure of the peoples of Russia was considered separately. According to the 2021 population census, the Yakuts occupied – 17th place, the Buryats – 19th, the Tuvans – 24th, the Komi – 33rd, the Altaians – 43rd, the Karelians – 56th. The issues of settlement of titular ethnic groups are examined in detail. It is noted that most of them live in rural areas and in their ethnic homeland. The Materials from the All-Russian Population Census 2021, «On the distribution of married couples by nationality of the spouses» represent novelty and scientific contribution; this data is being introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. It has been shown that people living in ethnic republics enter into same-ethnic marriages more often than those living outside of them. Karelians and Komi people are most likely to get married across national borders; it is noted that the spread of interethnic married couples leads to assimilation, the dissolution of small ethnic groups into larger ones. It should be noted that only a small part of the problems of the titular ethnic groups has been considered; it remains to be studied the problems of marriage and conscious loneliness, why civil marriages (cohabitation) leading to low birth rates are becoming widespread, and why the number of divorces and illegitimate births is increasing.
Copyright (c) 2026 V. Fauzer, I. Zherebtsov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Ideological Narratives of Peasant Uprisings in Soviet Kazakhstan in the 1920s–1930s (on the basis of the F. Tolstoukhov uprising)
The article examines the ideological narratives of peasant armed uprisings in Soviet Kazakhstan during the 1920s–1930s, using the rebellion led by F. D. Tolstoukhov as a case study. The relevance of this research stems from the need for a more in-depth analysis of the insurgent movement during the collectivization period, not only as a socio-economic phenomenon but also as a specific form of political and ideological self-determination of the peasantry. The aim of the study is to reconstruct the ideological orientations, motivational patterns, and behavioral strategies of the uprising’s participants, as well as to identify the distinctive features of the formation of their political platform. The methodological foundation of the research consists of the principles of historicism, systemic approach, and interdisciplinary approach, as well as elements of microhistorical and narrative analysis. The source base comprises a wide range of archival materials, including documents from central and regional archives of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as investigative files of the Joint State Political Directorate (OGPU), containing interrogation records, operational reports, intelligence summaries, and insurgent propaganda materials. The use of these sources made it possible not only to reconstruct the course of events but also to uncover the internal logic and underlying meanings of protest behavior. Special attention is given to the analysis of the rebels’ political platform, their slogans, proclamations, rumors, and forms of agitation, reflecting the specific nature of their perception of Soviet power, collectivization policies, and the socio-economic transformations of the late 1920s to early 1930s. It is established that the ideology of the uprising was complex in nature, combining elements of anti-Soviet rhetoric with notions of a “just” peasant authority, “free labor,” and the restoration of traditional forms of economic organization. It is demonstrated that, in the consciousness of the movement’s participants, Soviet power was not entirely rejected but rather reinterpreted through the prism of local experience and social expectations. The study concludes that peasant protest movements of this period represented not only a reaction to accelerated socio-economic transformations but also a form of alternative political thinking rooted in the peasant milieu, manifesting in attempts to construct their own model of power and social order. The findings expand our understanding of the nature and content of anti-collectivization uprisings in Kazakhstan and contribute to the historiography of insurgent movements in the Soviet period.
Copyright (c) 2026 B. Atantayeva, R. Akhmetova, A. Bоtаbеkоvа https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Woman in Camp Society: Problems of Sexual Exploitation and Interpersonal Relations (Based on the Materials of Karlag and Peschanlag)
This article examines one of the most complex and taboo aspects of camp everyday life – the position of women in Kazakhstani correctional labour camps in the 1930s-1950s, focusing on survival strategies via sexual relations. This issue is the least studied in Kazakh historiography. The research is based on previously unpublished documents from the State Archive of the Russian Federation, fund R-9414 – Main Directorate of Places of Imprisonment (sometimes unofficially referred to as the “GULAG archive”), as well as the testimonies of former prisoners, which allow us to reconstruct the practice of sexual relations within the camp society. The study addresses the political and moral state of the Karlag military guard, which was notably at a low level. The article provides facts about the cohabitation of guards with female prisoners. The report on the results of the operational and service activities of the paramilitary guards of the camps and colonies of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs for 1951 to the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR, Colonel General I.A. Serov, was discussed. Information concerning the negative aspects of the activities of the paramilitary guards (VOKhR) is presented. The article assesses the condition of discipline within the 2nd Industrial and Karadzhar divisions and Espinsky, Prostornensky, and SKhOS (Agricultural Experimental Station) independent platoons based on the report on the operational performance of the paramilitary security units of the Karlag under the Ministry of Justice of the USSR. Primary focus is on the under-researched and ethically complex phenomenon of “sex behind barbed wire” as a survival strategy and a mechanism for physical adaptation. According to the meticulously documented case (April 1952) on cohabitation between prisoners and the officers, guards, and civilian employees of the 4th camp division of the Special Peschany Camp (MVD USSR), the authors analyse both forced and consensual forms of sexual contact. The study provides facts, detailing the circumstances. while also examining the camp administration’s policies regarding the professional misconduct of officers, VOKhR sergeants, and overseers. The obtained data indicate that sexual relations under conditions of camp confinement should be considered along a continuum – from direct coercion to forced adaptive forms of behavior determined by the asymmetry of power between guards and prisoners. This study is based on archival documents and testimonies of former female inmates, enabling a reconstruction of the gender hierarchy within the camp's social structure.
Copyright (c) 2026 Z. Saktaganova, T. Allaniyazov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
The historical development of the Organization of Turkic States: stages of integration, problems, and prospects
In the 21st century, the global system is becoming more multipolar, while regional integration is playing a growing role in politics and economics. Countries are increasingly turning to multilateral cooperation based on shared history, culture, and geopolitical interests. In this setting, cooperation among Turkic-speaking states has become especially important and has developed actively since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In 1992, with the support of Turkey, the first summit of the heads of Turkic-speaking states took place. It marked the beginning of regular dialogue in the Turkic world and created a foundation for future cooperation. Another important step came in 2022, when the Turkic Council was transformed into the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) at the Samarkand Summit. Since then, the organization has strengthened its structure, expanded cooperation, and moved toward a more stable form of regional interaction. A notable event was the summit held on November 6, 2024, in Bishkek. During this meeting, the participating countries agreed to develop cooperation in digital technologies, finance, transport, logistics, and international communication. This article looks at how the OTS developed over time and how integration among Turkic states has changed. It also considers current challenges and possible directions for future development in the Eurasian region. Special attention is given to key strategic documents, including the “Vision of the Turkic World – 2040” and the “OTS Strategy for 2022–2026,” which outline priorities in political dialogue, economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and humanitarian ties. The research uses descriptive and comparative approaches and is based on academic studies, analytical materials, and open sources. The analysis shows that cooperation among Turkic states has passed through several stages. At first, it focused mainly on culture and education. Later, political cooperation became more structured through regular summits and institutions. Today, the organization is expanding its activities, strengthening economic ties, and increasing its role in the Eurasian region. The findings show that the OTS has strong potential for further development. At the same time, some institutional, economic, and political challenges remain. Even so, current trends point to a gradual strengthening of cooperation and growing opportunities for deeper interaction among Turkic states.
Copyright (c) 2026 A. Kylychev, T. Abdyrakhmanov, J. Omurovа https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Assessing the Implementation of the Soviet Industrial Project of the 1930s in Contemporary Russian Historiography
The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of scientific approaches in modern Russian historiography to the assessment of the implementation of the Soviet industrial project in the 1930s. The main vectors, methodological innovations, and substantive conclusions of modern Russian historical science in assessing the goals, mechanisms, course, and results of the Soviet industrial project in the 1930s are systematized. The article examines the methodological transition from the monistic Soviet paradigm to a pluralistic research model, which became possible after the collapse of the USSR and the opening of archival funds. The work highlights and describes in detail three key areas of research on the subject: assessments of industrialization, collectivization, and the history of everyday life in modern Russian historiography. Within each of these areas, the interpretations of economic mechanisms, social consequences, human dimensions, and long-term outcomes of forced industrialization are analyzed. Particular attention is given to controversial topics in contemporary historical scholarship, such as alternatives to the Stalinist model, the relationship between coercion and enthusiasm, and the connection between the industrial breakthrough and victory in the Great Patriotic War. A conclusion is drawn about the emergence of a dialectical approach in contemporary Russian historiography, one that recognizes the simultaneous achievement of macroeconomic results and high social costs. This allows us to view the Soviet industrial project as a deeply contradictory phenomenon. Russian historiography today demonstrates a mature, dialectical understanding of the Soviet industrial project of the 1930s. This period is no longer perceived solely as a "triumph" or "catastrophe," but is recognized as a deeply contradictory and multifaceted phenomenon. The main achievement lies in rejecting primitive, polarized assessments in favor of a multifaceted analysis that encompasses macroeconomic data and the geopolitical situation, as well as microhistorical details, social processes, and individual human destinies. Revolutionary technological advances contrast with archaic management approaches based on direct pressure and coercion unrelated to economic incentives. The creation of impressive industrial potential was accompanied by serious structural imbalances in the economy, where heavy industry expanded at the expense of the agricultural and consumer sectors. On the one hand, a society with expanded social prospects and growing prosperity was emerging. On the other hand, total control over citizens' lives, coupled with the erosion of traditional social ties, led to an uneven distribution of resources. The methodological basis of the study is a combination of analytical approaches based on the principles of historicism and objectivity, a combination of universal methods of analysis and synthesis, deductive and inductive approaches, as well as methods of bottom-up and top-down analysis, classification, and typification. The use of the historical-typological method, based on deductive-inductive logic, makes it possible to identify key patterns in the development of modern Russian historiography, formulate its chronological division, and propose a classification system for the main trends.
Copyright (c) 2026 G. Petachenko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
From the history of the ethnographic study of pattern weaving(branoe tkachestvo) of the Udora Komi
Samples of patterned weaving produced by the Udora Komi were regularly documented by ethnographers and collectors throughout the twentieth century. Woven items collected along the Vashka and Mezen rivers are now held in major national and regional museums in Russia, as well as in museum collections abroad (Hungary, Finland, Estonia, Germany). Nevertheless, to this day, no specialized studies have been devoted to this unique artistic tradition. The reason for this “lack of scholarly attention” on the part of ethnographers and art historians likely lies in the fact that nearly all collectors have regarded Udora decorative weaving as a tradition borrowed from the Russian population of the Northern Dvina basin. It is quite possible that the emergence of patterned weaving in Udora was directly connected to the influx of Old Believer peasant settlers from the Pinega and Northern Dvina regions who arrived on the Vashka in the 1860s. Undoubtedly, the technological language used to execute ornamental motifs and narrative compositions in Udora textiles is closely related to the work of Vologda and Arkhangelsk craftswomen, since the inhabitants of the Vashka and Pinega rivers share a common historical and cultural environment within the Northern Dvina basin. However, Komi craftswomen did not borrow Russian patterns themselves; rather, they adopted the technological language of producing woven ornamented items. There is reason to believe that in the first half of the twentieth century, a distinctive multicolored ornamental style developed in the patterned weaving of the Udora Komi—one that is uncharacteristic not only of Russian craftswomen but also of other ethnographic groups of the Komi. This article presents a concise history of the ethnographic study of Udora Komi patterned weaving in the twentieth century, as well as an attempt to describe the unique multicolored decorative canon of textile ornamentation created by Komi craftswomen of the Vashka River basin. The article also formulates a hypothesis regarding the origins of the artistic tradition of multicolored patterned weaving among the Udora Komi in the first half of the twentieth century.
Copyright (c) 2026 V. Sharapov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Social Aspects of Soviet Modernization in Kazakhstan: The Role of Housing Policy (1920s-1980s)
The article offers a comprehensive analysis of housing policy as a key mechanism of social modernization in Kazakhstan during the 1920s‒1980s, examining it within the broader context of the formation of the Soviet model of social order. The study focuses on the transformation of housing conditions, settlement patterns, and principles of housing allocation, which functioned not only as social measures aimed at improving living standards but also as instruments of state regulation, control, and integration of the population into the Soviet socioeconomic system. The authors argue that housing policy was one of the most effective channels for shaping a new social structure, since access to housing‒its type, quality, and location‒determined opportunities for professional advancement, the degree of inclusion in the urban environment, and participation in industrial production processes. The article identifies several stages in the development of housing policy. The municipalization of the housing stock marked the 1920s, the redistribution of prerevolutionary urban spaces, and attempts to construct a new model of “socialist everyday life.” In the 1930s‒1950s, a centralized system of state housing distribution emerged, closely linked to industrialization, migration flows, and the development of new industrial centers in Kazakhstan. Particular attention is given to the Khruschev modernization of the 1950s–1960s, when mass housing construction became a major instrument of accelerated urbanization and social mobility, enabling a significant portion of the population to move from barracks and adobe dwellings to standardized apartments. In the subsequent decades, housing policy continued to serve as an important regulator of social stratification, although resource shortages, regional disparities, and growing waiting lists for housing constrained its effectiveness. The methodological framework of the study includes the analysis of legal acts, statistical data, and archival materials, as well as the use of historical-comparative and problemchronological approaches. This comprehensive methodology makes it possible to identify both all-Union trends and regional specificities shaped by levels of industrialization, ethnodemographic dynamics, and settlement patterns in Kazakhstan. The study demonstrates that housing policy contributed to the formation of new models of everyday life, changes in family structures, the consolidation of Soviet identity, and the emergence of a distinct urban culture. The conclusion substantiates that housing policy in Kazakhstan was a crucial component of Soviet modernization, combining the functions of resource redistribution, social integration, disciplinary control, and the construction of a new social order. It not only defined material living conditions but also served as an instrument for shaping Soviet society, influencing social mobility, labor structures, and the nature of state–society relations.
Copyright (c) 2026 A. Kapayeva, S. Asanova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
The Medieval Settlement of Bozok: From a Cult Center to a Cultural Manifesto of Steppe Eurasia
This article attempts a scientific conceptualization of the history of the hierotopy of the Bozoq medieval settlement – an archaeological site – analyzed in dynamics and through the unfolding of its temporality from the Early Middle Ages to the present day. The sacralization of the southwestern outskirts of Kazakhstan’s modern capital, Astana, is determined by the potential of its historical onomasticon formed in the distant past. Through an etymological analysis of the historical names of the Akmola and Buzuqty tracts, the study demonstrates their connection both to the steppe tradition of conceptualizing funerary structures as sacred loci and to the history and mythology of the early Turkic Oghuz. These elements established a specific code – a message from the creators of Bozoq’s hierotopy to subsequent generations. Drawing on archival materials from the Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IHMK RAS) and an article by the first researcher of Bozoq, L.F. Semenov, this work examines the history of the site's study, which began in the late 1920s. Thanks to the dedication and efforts of L.F. Semenov, the head of the Akmola Museum, the site gained recognition both within Kazakhstan and abroad. Consequently, the site he named the "Buzuk Settlement" was integrated into the sphere of national archaeology, which, seventy-one years later, allowed scholars to commence a profound and detailed study of the location. The site’s planigraphy, the limnonym Buzuqty, and the surrounding lake-steppe landscape ‒ supplemented by excavations and archaeological and cultural reconstructions – have enabled the scientific community to present various interpretations of the ancient code left by the settlement’s creators for future generations. The research efforts of scholars led by K.A. Akishev and M.K. Khabdulina successfully returned the site to the fold of hierotopy, which had been interrupted during the Late Middle Ages. The value and symbolic potential of the Bozok settlement for the country's history and culture led to its inclusion in the List of Sacred Objects of National Importance in 2017 and the opening of the Bozok State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve in 2018, aimed at creating a National Open-Air Archaeological Park. These developments defined not only the vector of its progress as a tourist destination within the context of the developing National Park but also established the grounds for expanding the boundaries and objectives of its hierotopy through musealization. This transformation marks the evolution from a cult center to a cultural manifesto of Steppe Eurasia ‒ a representation of its historical, cultural, and intangible heritage.
Copyright (c) 2026 Z. Suraganova, S. Burbaeva, K. Tolegenuly https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
The Ideas of Comfort in the Soviet Architectural Discourses of the 1920s-1930s
The article examines the problem of improving housing conditions for Soviet citizens in the 1920s-1930s. The authors note that after the Bolsheviks came to power, immediate attempts were made to improve the living conditions of the working people. Initially, however, the authorities were forced to limit themselves to relocating workers into the apartments of the bourgeoisie. The emergence of communal apartments (kommunalki) led not so much to the improvement in the lives of the masses, but rather to the establishment of social justice in its Bolshevik understanding. The new government was only able to begin creating new housing stock after the end of the Civil War and the rollout of the New Economic Policy. The article examines plans for building garden-cities. Relocating workers from the overpopulated center to green cottage settlements could have improved the quality of life, but the implementation of this idea was a financially unfeasible task. The article presents designs for house-communes, through which it was intended to reshape the daily life of Soviet people, but which had little in common with the traditional idea of comfortable housing. The article addresses the influence of politics, economic priorities, and ideology on the development and implementation of housing projects for the working population. The authors conclude that in discussions about improving the living conditions of the masses, the issue of comfort was at best secondary. Architects were primarily concerned with how to economically address the housing shortage and design new types of dwellings that would contribute to Soviet ideals of social transformation based on collectivist principles. Central to architectural debates were questions of rationalizing the use of living space, hygiene, restructuring everyday life, and aligning housing with modern standards, including references to Western achievements in architecture. The article emphasizes that with the onset of industrialization, resources were directed toward the creation of heavy industry, while funding for housing construction was reduced to a minimum. The majority of Soviet citizens lived in cramped conditions in barracks, dormitories, and communal apartments, where the notion of comfort was not considered at all. Truly comfortable living conditions were reserved for the Soviet elites. The article demonstrates that in the case of “houses for officials” and foreign specialists, architects largely abandoned innovative ideas and designed projects that reflected notions of bourgeois prosperity. Housing for the elite was to be spacious, of reasonable layout, bright, well-ventilated, and finished with natural materials. It is indicative that Soviet architects included quarters where servants would live. Examples of Soviet comfortable housing include the Narkomfin Building, the House on the Embankment, and cottage developments in socialist cities and settlements.
Copyright (c) 2026 M. Shabasova, V. Menkouski https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
The space race between the USSR and the USA in the pages of the Soviet press (1957-1963)
This article examines the representation of the space race between the USSR and the USA in the Soviet press from 1957 to 1963. The study focuses not only on the factual coverage of events but also on the strategic approaches employed to shape public perceptions of the scientific and technological rivalry between the two superpowers. The primary objective is to identify the key directions of propaganda, to assess the role of print media in reinforcing national identity and the international prestige of the Soviet Union, and to demonstrate how the theme of space was transformed into an instrument of ideological struggle within the broader context of the Cold War. The methodological framework of the research is based on the principles of historicism and objectivity, complemented by content analysis, which enables the systematization of press materials and the identification of recurring motifs and stylistic features. The findings reveal that the Soviet press actively constructed a heroic image of cosmonauts and engineers, presenting them as symbols of scientific progress and patriotic virtue. Achievements in Soviet space exploration were consistently portrayed as evidence of the technical and moral superiority of the socialist system, with each new step in space exploration depicted as a collective triumph of the nation. By contrast, American initiatives were covered predominantly in an ironic or critical manner. Failures, delays, and contradictions in the U.S. program were emphasized, serving as a means of internal mobilization and reinforcing confidence in the legitimacy of the Soviet path. In this way, space was represented not only as a domain of scientific discovery but also as a symbolic arena of ideological rivalry, with the USSR positioned as the leader of global science and technology and the USA depicted as a competitor whose efforts were frequently cast in a negative light. Particular attention is paid to the political motivation underlying propaganda: space achievements were utilized both to consolidate the regime domestically and to project power internationally. The Soviet press adapted its communicative strategies to the rapidly changing international environment, transforming the space theme into a universal instrument for shaping mass consciousness. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that during 1957–1963, the Soviet press fulfilled a complex informational and propagandistic function, constructing a positive image of the USSR as a leading space power and fostering collective identity. The space race became a central element of the ideological agenda, exerting a lasting influence on the development of Soviet scientific and propagandistic culture and on the international image of the country.
Copyright (c) 2026 Yu. Veremeychik https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
New data on the anthropology of the Turkic population of Zhetysu
The article examines the anthropological features of the Zhetysu Turkic population using the example of the Samsy monument located in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region. According to the results of radiocarbon dating of C14 and analysis of funeral rites and tools, the early Turkic burials of the burial ground date back to the VIII-X centuries. The purpose of this study is to introduce new data on the anthropology of the Zhetysu Turkic population into scientific circulation and fill in the gaps in a little-studied area in the history of the region. The skeletal remains of people buried at the Samsy monument were processed at the Laboratory of Physical Anthropology of the Margulan Institute of Archeology in Almaty. The paper analyzes the morphological features of the skulls, dental system, and postcranial skeleton of individuals from the Samsy burial ground. For this purpose, measurements of skulls and elements of the postcranial skeleton were carried out using craniometric and osteometric programs. According to the results of craniological studies, it turned out that several anthropological types represent the people buried in this burial ground: Caucasoid, Mongoloid and mixed. Traces of unintentional artificial «beshik» deformation are recorded on several skulls. Such changes in the shape of the head are usually associated with prolonged lying of the child on the back in the cradle. Based on the study of the dental system of individuals, it is concluded that the odontological status of the early Zhetysu Turks is characterized as Caucasoid with the presence of East Asian Mongoloid elements. The diversity of the anthropological composition is observed among the Turkic population of Kazakhstan and nearby regions. According to the results of the intra-group analysis of postcrania, it can be noted that male skeletons belong to the «steppe» morphological type, characterized by medium or increased limb bone lengths and balanced proportions. This type was widespread in Eurasia in previous eras. The body length calculated by the size of the right femurs according to the method of K. Pearson and A. Lee averaged 166.9 cm, according to S. Dupertuis and D. Hadden 173.4 cm.
Copyright (c) 2025 R. Zhanuzak, K. Sikhymbaeva, A. Childebayeva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
The Phenomenon of “Tekke” in the Context of the Spiritual and Cultural Identity of Turkic-Muslim Peoples (Mid 19th – Early 20th Century)
This study explores the significance of Anatolian tekkes as pivotal spiritual and religious institutions that profoundly influenced the Islamic identity of Turkic communities in Central Asia. It draws upon an in-depth analysis of Eastern archival records and manuscript traditions, shedding light on the processes of collecting, safeguarding, and interpreting Islamic manuscripts. A central focus is placed on the role of tekkes in pilgrimage, Islamic scholarship, and the broader cultural-religious development of Turkic societies. Historical accounts underscore the profound connection between manuscript traditions and the operations of tekkes, which functioned as depositories, transcription centers, and distribution points for theological discourse, philosophical essays, and literary works rooted in Islamic thought. Notably, tekkes were not confined to religious functions; they also acted as cultural nexuses, bridging diverse regions and fostering spiritual unity within the Turkic-Muslim sphere. Within this framework, particular attention is given to Uzbek tekkes in Istanbul, which emerged as focal sites of religious convergence for Central Asian pilgrims while also serving as conduits for the dissemination of Islamic knowledge and devotional practices. The theoretical foundation of this research is based on cultural archival studies and historical-cultural analysis, which regard manuscripts as integral elements of collective memory, ensuring the transmission of religious doctrines and spiritual customs. Methodologically, the study employs a comparative-historical approach, textual scrutiny of archival sources, and an examination of the socio-political, ethno-religious, and cultural dimensions of tekkes. Special emphasis is placed on Uzbek dervish tekkes within the Ottoman Empire, their involvement in pilgrimage networks, and their instrumental role in spreading Sufi traditions among Turkic populations. The evaluation of primary sources reveals that Uzbek tekkes in Istanbul functioned not only as centers for spiritual education but also as arenas for social engagement, reinforcing Islamic communal identity. The manuscripts preserved and composed in these tekkes were more than revered texts; they were dynamic instruments of religious instruction that embedded Islamic thought within the community. On a broader scale, tekkes operated as crucial spiritual institutions that facilitated the transmission of knowledge and upheld cultural-religious continuity among the Turkic-Muslim communities of the Russian Empire from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. The findings substantiate that Uzbek tekkes in Anatolia played a fundamental role in reshaping religious and educational practices, particularly amid the socio-political turbulence of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their contributions to Islamic pedagogy and intercultural dialogue emphasize the necessity for further exploration of their manuscript legacy, offering deeper insights into the religious and ethno-cultural dynamics of the Turkic world.
Copyright (c) 2025 M. Egamberdiyev, A. Azmukhanova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Uprisings and protests of people in 1928-1932 in Kazakhstan
This paper aims to study the history of uprisings and protests by the people of Kazakhstan that took place between 1928 and 1932. The objective of this scientific work is to identify the stages, numbers, dynamics, and forms of resistance, as well as to determine the driving forces, goals, and nature of uprisings and protests, and the number of participants. The relevance and novelty of the study are reflected in the in-depth critical analysis of documentary sources, most of which are being introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, in the presentation of updated statistics on uprisings and protests of people, the number of participants, as well as data on the number of repressed uprisings and protests participants. The results of the study demonstrated that the policy of the Soviet government and the state, which had been implemented in the period from 1928 to 1932, aggravated the socio-political contradictions between the government and various social strata and groups, which led to large-scale public uprisings and protests. In terms of content, they were: a) armed uprisings that led to military clashes with troops and communist detachments; b) armed migrations, accompanied by fierce military actions with OGPU forces and border troops; c) peaceful actions, expressed in opposition to the economic and political campaigns of the authorities and accompanied by demands for the abolition of grain and livestock procurement, attacks on Soyuzmyaso (Meat depot) bases, taking back socialized livestock, and the theft of grain from barns. All armed uprisings were suppressed most brutally, and their participants were subjected to criminal prosecution and large-scale repression. In the process of an in-depth study of documents and materials, data was revealed that in 1929-1931, there were not 372 unarmed uprisings, but 399 uprisings. Considering over 120 mass struggles that took place in the first half of 1932 due to food shortages, the total number of public uprisings and protests for 1928-1932 amounted to 545, including twenty-six armed actions in which more than one hundred thousand people took part. The total number of mass upheavals and folk-quakes, both armed and unarmed, included migrations, the activities of “counter-revolutionary” organizations and groups, and the actions of “gangs.” Declassification of the CDA (Classified documents archives), concentrated in the SA of the RK, access to classified materials, contained in the SSA of KNB of the RK, will provide an opportunity for a thorough study of the entire set of a significant volume of materials on the history of the "gang movement" in late 1931 - 1932. This will allow us to separate protest movements from the actions of “gangs” that had either a criminal or criminal-political overtone and to expand the chronological framework of the protest movement up to and including 1932. It is necessary to develop the problem of qualifying “bandit migrations” beyond the borders of residence or abroad, which were one of the forms of protest of Kazakh Sharua (peasantry) against the agrarian policy of the Soviet government.
Copyright (c) 2025 Т. Алланиязов (Автор) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Historical and Ideological Origins of Turkish Nationalism
The paper explores the historical and ideological origins and theoretical underpinnings of Turkish nationalism in the late Ottoman period and the early republican era. The study draws on relevant sources and literature on the topic and builds on underlying theories of nationalism and identity studies. Under Ottoman rule, the multiethnic and multireligious populations of the empire were bound by their belonging to the common homeland, the Ottoman nation, and the ideology of Ottomanism, regardless of their ethnic origins. However, the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Greek, Armenian, Serbian, and other minority nationalisms led to the decline of Ottomanism as the hegemonic ideology. This process also induced the emergence of Turkish nationalism. The genesis and promotion of Turkish nationalism and Turkishness by Ottoman intellectuals at the end of the 19th century led to the erosion of Ottomanism. The transition from the Ottoman era into the republican period was marked by the nationalization of Turkish society. The nation-building project implemented by Mustafa Kemal and his followers aimed to transform Turkish society from a traditional and Islamic society into a secular, modern, progressive, and Western one. The results of the study have shown that the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye was not a mere transition from one period to another, but the inception of crafting a new nation premised on Turkishness. The Kemalists focus more on creating a unified national identity by Turkifying Muslim ethnic groups, while maintaining separate identities for Christian and other religious minorities. The results of the study have also indicated that Kemalist nationalism has pursued a policy of displacing and marginalizing the Ottoman past and Islam. Furthermore, the study shows that alongside the dominant Kemalist nationalist discourse, Turkish society also hosts other competing and overlapping nationalist ideologies and political groups. This is particularly evident in the emergence of non-Kemalist discourses and the rise of the AKP to power. The ascent of the AKP has indicated the persistence of alternative nationalist ideologies and discourses that were displaced and suppressed by the Kemalists, specifically Ottomanism, which has become a powerful discourse in both domestic and foreign policy in Türkiye.
Copyright (c) 2026 G. Zhumatay, Y. Sari, A. Yskak https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Local elections in the Kazakh SSR as an instrument of political mobilization: a regional case of the Pavlodar Irtysh region (1920–1930s)
This paper examines the evolution of the electoral system in the territory of Kazakhstan in the 1920s ‒ 1930s. Considering that the institution of elections under the Soviet system was formed on the basis of the specific principle of non-alternativeness (lack of choice) and was consistently entrenched both in the center and locally, attention should be paid to the conditions of its formation, the regulatory framework, and the specifics of its dissemination. The country's population was integrated into the new realities of political life when, according to the Constitution, citizens gained the right to participate in the life of the state; however, at the same time, a certain part of them was deprived of this right if their involvement with "exploitative elements" was revealed. Ideologization, proclaimed equality, and harsh repressive policies became characteristic components of the country's electoral system as well. Under these conditions, the state authorities carried out extensive organizational work to promote the new model of electoral campaigns; a large number of people were involved in agitation activities among candidates and electors, and corresponding literature was developed. At the same time, it is necessary to point out the colossal financial resources spent on organizing the entire election procedure. The aim of the research is related to the analysis of the history of preparing and conducting electoral campaigns in the Kazakh SSR in the 1920s ‒ 1930s, identifying their features, problems, and contradictions, as well as assessing the role of elections in the process of forming the Soviet political system in the region. A distinctive feature of this work is also the regional aspect of studying the stated issues. To achieve the aim and the set tasks, archival materials from the fonds of the State Archive of the Pavlodar Region (Pavlodar City Executive Committee of Workers', Peasants', and Red Army Deputies; Pavlodar Uyezd Committee of the Medical Sanitary Labor Union; Pavlodar District Executive Committee of Soviets of Workers', Peasants', and Red Army Deputies) were used, specifically within the framework of regulatory acts of authorities, reports of local executive committees, and electoral commissions. The source base of the research also included Soviet-era journals, analyzed from the perspective of their coverage of this topic. In the course of analyzing the historiography on the topic of the work, the main approaches, problems, and directions of its study were identified. Thus, the institution of elections to the Soviets became part of the process of "Sovietization" of society. These processes unfolded in parallel with a wide range of state-initiated campaigns of the period, such as the eradication of illiteracy, korenizatsiya (indigenization), anti-religious measures, and other initiatives aimed at reshaping the socio-political order and incorporating broad segments of the population, including residents of auls (villages), into newly constructed systems of social relations. Within this context, electoral practices acquired a ritualized character, serving as a symbolic mechanism through which citizens were formally integrated into political life.
Copyright (c) 2026 A. Turlybekova, N. Baigabylov, Ye. Sailaubay https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
On the issue of the results of the re-election of the Soviets in 1927 in the Cossack ASSR
The relevance of the author’s research lies in the formation of a historiographical understanding of the emergence of the Soviet electoral system and the Soviet state power apparatus. The historiography of electoral history has accumulated substantial scholarly experience reflected in published articles, monographs, and defended dissertations across a broad academic field; this topic has also been actively developed in Kazakhstan. Despite a certain degree of critical assessment, it can be noted that the principle of popular sovereignty within the Soviet electoral system became a political platform of state democracy implemented from above. The controversial nature of the issue lies in the question of whether the electoral system formed in the RSFSR as a whole, and in the Kazakh ASSR as part of the union system, genuinely contained elements of popular self-government. The key research question and scientific novelty of the article consist in the analysis of the 1926-1927 electoral campaign based on the content of an archival document introduced into scholarly circulation for the first time, identified in the Archive of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The narratives of the presented document and the authors’ research analysis reveal the multilevel relationships between state authorities and the electorate through a comparative examination of data that confirm or refute specific fragments of the document. The article examines the 1926-1927 electoral campaign in the Kazakh ASSR in the context of the tightening of Soviet electoral policy, taking into account the Instruction on Elections approved on November 4, 1926, by the Presidium of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee (VTsIK). The new Instruction, which replaced the 1925 document, introduced mechanisms of stricter control, including the expansion of categories of persons deprived of electoral rights (including those using hired labor), detailed procedures for compiling lists of lishentsy and for appealing unlawful deprivation of voting rights, the strengthening of the role and significance of electoral commissions, as well as the introduction of quorum requirements for electoral assemblies (at least 35% of eligible voters). The identified archival document reconstructs the phased implementation of the electoral campaign calendar plan, the formation of electoral commissions, the determination and format of their activities at the local level – including agitation work – the conduct of meetings, compliance with electoral procedures, mandatory oversight by authorized representatives, and their actions in response to identified violations. One of the outcomes of the 1926-1927 elections was an increase in the number of individuals deprived of electoral rights. The uniqueness of the published document lies in the numerous examples cited by authorized officials in their reports concerning cases of disenfranchisement. Such large-scale deprivation of citizens’ electoral rights reflects not only the provisions of the Instruction on Elections but also the arbitrary interpretation of its clauses by electoral commissions at the gubernial, district, city, and rural (aul) levels. Virtually all electoral campaigns were accompanied by talasovki and clan-based confrontations in rural communities both during the pre-election period and in the course of the elections themselves. The article is based on a variational-critical approach that combines the analysis of state sources with regional specificity. The author’s historiographical review demonstrates sustained scholarly interest in the problem under study and its significance for the historical research community.
Copyright (c) 2026 М. Izguttinov, Kh. Maslov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Clarification of the Concepts of “Burial Rites” and “Funeral and Memorial Ritualism” in the Archaeological Context
This article is devoted to the theoretical understanding of the concepts of “burial rites” and “funeral and memorial ritualism” in archaeological interpretation. Based on an analysis of the works of domestic and foreign researchers, the main approaches to defining the content, structure, and interrelationship of these concepts are considered, and the terminology related to ritual practices recorded in archaeological materials is clarified. Particular attention is paid to the distinction between different levels and aspects of ritual activity, allowing for a more comprehensive reconstruction of the spiritual and material cultures of ancient societies. Burial complexes and the accompanying ritual practices are important sources of information about the social organisation, ideological attitudes, and symbolic models of the world of ancient communities. Analysis of archaeological data reveals insights into ideas about death and the afterlife, as well as demonstrating the complex interrelationships between ritual practice and the society's worldview. The study employed analytical-comparative and historiographical methods, which made it possible to systematise and compare the existing scientific approaches to the interpretation of funeral and memorial rites. This comprehensive approach enabled the tracing of the evolution of ideas about the structure and content of funeral and memorial rites, as well as the identification of their role in archaeological interpretation. The work aims to clarify the conceptual apparatus and the relationship between “burial rites” and “funeral and memorial ritualism”, as well as to identify their significance for the reconstruction of the ideological and worldview attitudes of ancient societies. The methodological basis of the study provided a systematic approach to analysing concepts and theoretical models, which allows archaeological, ethnographic, and semantic data to be combined into a single interpretative framework. Particular attention is paid to the practical significance of the work: the results of the research can be used to analyse archaeological materials and prepare educational programmes and methodological guides on archaeology and ethnology. In addition, the work emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach that combines data from various humanities disciplines to achieve a deeper understanding of cultural processes and the transformation of ritual practices in ancient societies. The results of this work open up opportunities for integrating archaeological data with ethnographic and historical-cultural sources, thereby increasing the accuracy of interpreting ritual practices in ancient societies. Thus, the work demonstrates a transition from descriptive approaches to complex models of research into ritual and ceremonial practices and emphasises the relevance of clarifying key concepts in modern archaeology
Copyright (c) 2026 А. Karazhigitova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
The Activities of Independent Kazakhstan in the Justification and Development of the Country's Defense and Its Political and Historical Significance
The article delineates the inaugural organisational measures and their ramifications in the implementation of the autonomous defence policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan since the inaugural period of its independence. It cites a plethora of data, assesses the relevance and significance of this step in developing and strengthening sovereignty, and analyzes the initial work being done. The objectives of the state program of the Republic of Kazakhstan for implementing the defense policy adopted during the first period of independence are specified, and the significance of the work to be carried out within its framework is determined. The specific measures implemented by the Republic of Kazakhstan to strengthen the country's defense forces, train military specialists, and ensure their technical condition, and the initial activities and tasks for further implementation of this work are analysed using specific examples. The text goes on to describe the Republic of Kazakhstan's entry into the Collective Security Organization (CSO), a body founded among several former USSR republics, and its activities within it. It also indicates the significance of the planned efforts and proposals for further development and increasing the effectiveness of the work of this defense organization. Finally, it analyses the activity of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the SCO and indicates its significance. The text goes on to outline specific proposals put forward by the state within the framework of this regional organisation for organising the country's defence on a solid basis, and to provide a historical assessment. The analysis then goes on to consider the relations and exchange of experience with the defence services of foreign countries, including the Republic of Turkey, the USA, and others, in strengthening the armed forces of the sovereign state, basing its capabilities in accordance with world requirements. Simultaneously, consideration is given to the accords established by the sovereign nation with NATO member states within this domain to ensure parity and tranquillity. Furthermore, the implementation of Kazakhstan's "Partnership for Peace" initiative is documented. The necessity of maintaining a consistently high level of defence policy, the primary guarantee of the country's independence, in the context of global and regional changes, is emphasised. Recommendations are provided for the systematic and purposeful implementation of this work. The primary sources of information for this article are drawn from foreign and domestic state archives, as well as historical works.
Copyright (c) 2026 G. Karassayev, K. Yensenov, N. Konrbay, А. Balykova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
The Chronicle of Baybars al-Manṣūrī al-Nāṣirī ‘Zubda(t) al-Fikra(t) fī Tārīkh al-Hijra(t)’ in the Studies of the Mamluk State in Egypt in the Early Bahri Period
The article deals with the place and role of the ‘Zubda(t) al-Fikra(t) fī Tārīkh al-Hijra(t)’ by Baybars al-Manṣūrī (d. in 1325) in the contemporary Mamluk studies, as well as with posssibilty of its wider implementation in Middle East studies. The author of this Chronicle was a prominent amīr and official in the early Bahri period. Despite the importance of the Chronicle in deep understanding of the early Mamluk history, the political development of the Mamluk state, and the transformation of its political institutions under the influence of the Turk legacy of the first Mamluk elite, this source was published according to academic standards relatively late, only in 1998 by Donald Richards. After that, ‘Zubda(t)...’ is commonly cited in almost all academic works devoted to the Bahri period. The article considers the history of academic research on the source, various approaches to its significance, as well as possible implementation in studies beyond the Mamluks state, particularly for studying the history of the Golden Horde and the Ilkhanate. The article summarizes the importance of ‘Zubda(t)...’ because of the following considerations: a) it is still insufficiently studied and brings new information into the Mamluk studies; b) Baybars al-Manṣūrī is a very rare example of a member of the highest military and political elites who composed a full historic chronicle. Moreover, he personally participated in many events which are mentioned in his work; c) During to his Turk (presumably Kipchak) origin, Baybars al-Manṣūrī was aware of traditional Turk political and social institutes and made a special emphasis on these elements, while they were unclear and of less importance for later Mamluk authors; d) The Chronicle covers a relatively long period of time (1252-1307 AD), which allows making statistic observations and calculations, as well as to trace the evolution of main political and social institutes within the early Bahri period.
‘Zubda(t) al-Fikra(t) fī Tārīkh al-Hijra(t)’
Copyright (c) 2026 A. Filipau https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Historical Connections between the Kazakhs and the Uzbek Khanates in the 18th Century, According to the Works of Central Asian Authors of the Modern Period
This article researches Arabic-script manuscript works produced by historiographers of Kokand, Khiva, Bukhara, and Tashkent. The research aims to identify valuable written sources on the historical connections between the Kazakhs and the peoples of the Central Asian region in the 18th century. The modern period of Central Asian historical literature is represented by chronicles of both official and private character. The authors of these narrative works came from diverse social classes and expressed the interests of either the central or local ruling elites. The use of diversified historical writings in the research makes it possible to develop a fuller and more objective understanding of the region’s political situation during the researched period. In official works, particular attention is devoted to the political and economic crises that engulfed the region in the first half of the 18th century as a result of turmoil and rebellions among appanage rulers, as well as Kalmyk incursions into the Dasht-i Qipchaq and Mawarannahr. The principal sources used in compiling Central Asian chronicles were archival documents from khanal chanceries, as well as accounts transmitted by participants, eyewitnesses, and contemporaries of the events described by the authors. Subsequent historiographers tried to supplement works with previously unknown facts and to offer their own assessments of the ruling elite’s activities. The factual material identified in these historical writings demonstrates that they contain original data on the history of our region. The valuable information preserved in written historical works makes it possible to gain a deeper understanding of the complex relations that developed among the khanates of the Central Asian region throughout the 18th century. Reports in the chronicles concerning the Kazakhs may be divided into the following thematic groups: 1) commercial ties in Central Asia and the influence of the cities near Syr Darya on the region’s overall economic situation; 2) the involvement of the Chingizids of the Dasht-i Qipchaq in the internecine feuds of the Chingizids of Khwarazm and Bukhara; 3) the migration of Kazakhs into the territories of the Uzbek khanates occurred as a result of repeated Kalmyk incursions into the Kazakh Khanate in the first half of the 18th century: some kins of the Junior Zhuz resettled in Khwarazm; some kins of the Middle Zhuz moved toward Samarqand and Bukhara; and certain kins of the Senior Zhuz migrated into the regions of Karategin and Fergan, reaching as far as the Pamirs; 4) during the period under review, the vilayets of Sayram and Turkestan were at times under the control of Bukhara. The analysis of these materials indicates that the historical connections between the Kazakhs and the Uzbek khanates have an important place in the political and economic life of the states of the Central Asian region.
Historiography of Kokand, Bukhara, Khiva
Copyright (c) 2026 Zh. Tulibayeva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Some materials on the activities of L.F. Semenov – researcher of antiquities in Central Kazakhstan
In the presented study, the authors attempt to clearly demonstrate the role and significance of archaeological research in Central Kazakhstan in the 1920s, the post-revolutionary period marked by difficult economic conditions, consequences, and the beginning of reconstruction in the cultural and scientific spheres. Despite the difficult time, including a lack of material and human resources, the state took steps to preserve and study material culture. This is evidenced by the clear regulation of archaeological excavations on the basis of special permits – Open letters. Archaeological work during this period was often of a local historical nature. Local initiatives contributed to archaeological excavations, the recording of material, and its subsequent transfer to museums. Much credit is due to one of the pioneers of the museum movement and an active researcher of the region, L.F. Semenov, who was at the forefront of the opening of the local history museum in Akmolinsk. He took an active part in organising and conducting archaeological research, collecting and classifying artefacts. The study aims to identify, analyse, and evaluate L.F. Semenov's contribution to the study of archaeological sites in Central Kazakhstan, as well as to provide an overview of the surviving materials reflecting his scientific activity. To study the content of his scientific works, articles, and field diaries to identify the subject matter, methodology, and scientific significance, content analysis was used, as well as a historical-comparative method, which made it possible to compare the approaches and results of L.F. Semenov's research with the works of other archaeologists of his time. Particular attention is paid to materials found in the archives on the issue of granting the right to conduct archaeological work. It is noted that the right to conduct archaeological excavations was granted to L.F. Semenov on the basis of an Open letter issued in 1929 in accordance with the established norms of that time. Of additional value are materials from his correspondence with scientists, which allow us to reconstruct scientific connections, discuss theoretical approaches at the time, and clarify the chronology of individual stages of field research. The scientific community highly appreciated L.F. Semenov's contribution to the study of archaeological sites in Central Kazakhstan, as evidenced by references to his works in publications by domestic and foreign specialists. The study of the archaeological legacy of L.F. Semenov is important for concretizing one of the stages in the development of Kazakhstani archaeology.
Copyright (c) 2026 Т. Koshman, М. Bedelbayeva, А. Dukombaiev https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Myrzagazy Espolov’s participation in the implementation of agrarian policy in the Turkestan ASSR
The study aims to determine the socio-political activities of Myrzagazy Espolov in Tashkent in the early 1920s based on a comprehensive analysis of archival sources, as well as to provide a scholarly interpretation of his role within the system of the People’s Commissariat of Agriculture (Turknarkomzem) of the Turkestan ASSR, his administrative approaches, and the specific features of his activities in defending national interests. The objectives of the study are: to analyze the process of formation of agrarian policy in the Turkestan ASSR and the institutional foundations of the activities of the People’s Commissariat of Agriculture; to identify the official status and positions held by Myrzagazy Espolov in the city of Tashkent; and to reveal the characteristics of Myrzagazy Espolov’s socio-political activity and his role as a representative of the national intelligentsia. Myrzagazy Espolov was one of the prominent representatives of the Kazakh intelligentsia of the early twentieth century and an activist of the Alash movement who made a significant contribution to the political development of Kazakhstan. The main focus is placed on his activities in Tashkent as a member of the Turkestan Central Executive Committee (TurkTsIK) and as a responsible official of the People’s Commissariat of Agriculture. The study examines Espolov’s participation in the development and discussion of key decisions on the land question, including his practical work in the field of land management and the organization of land-survey expeditions. The relevance of this study is due to the need for an in-depth analysis of the role of the national intelligentsia in the implementation of land policy in the Turkestan ASSR. An examination of Myrzagazy Espolov’s activities within the system of the People’s Commissariat of Agriculture and the Turkestan Central Executive Committee makes it possible to identify the specific features of interaction between central directives and regional practice, as well as to determine the contribution of national cadres to the process of socialist transformation of agriculture in the early Soviet period. In this regard, Myrzagazy Espolov is viewed as a figure who not only managed to adapt to new historical conditions but also actively participated in shaping them. The source base of the study consists of minutes and stenographic records of plenary sessions of the Turkestan Central Executive Committee, documents of the People’s Commissariat of Agriculture, materials from land-survey expeditions, official reports, and the personal file of Myrzagazy Espolov. An analysis of these sources demonstrates that his activities had a pronounced socio-political character and were aimed at adjusting agrarian policy in the interests of the indigenous population in the context of the transition to the New Economic Policy. The article shows that Espolov acted not only as an administrator but also as a representative of the national intelligentsia who sought to use agrarian transformations as a tool for social stabilization. It is concluded that Myrzagazy Espolov’s contribution goes beyond narrowly departmental work and reflects a broader process of participation by national cadres in the formation and implementation of agrarian policy in the Turkestan ASSR.
Copyright (c) 2026 G. Tastekova, D. Panto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Morphological Analysis of Bronze Age Clay Vessels (Based on Materials from the East Kazakhstan Regional Museum of History and Local Lore)
This paper presents a comprehensive morphological analysis of a representative collection of Bronze Age ceramics housed in the funds of the Regional Museum of Local History (Ust-Kamenogorsk). The research is based on vessels recovered during archaeological excavations of landmark sites in the region: the Marinka, Barashki, Berezovsky, and Zevakinsky burial grounds. These objects are localized within key geographical zones of East Kazakhstan, making their analysis highly representative for understanding the ethnocultural processes that occurred across the entire territory of the region. It is important to note that the study aims to reconstruct regional pottery traditions through the analysis of vessel forms, ornamental stylistics, and comparative studies of ceramic assemblages to establish genetic links or cultural distinctions. Within the framework of this approach, morphological analysis based on the formation of functional parts revealed a significant structural diversity, ranging from simple 3-part to complex 6-part designs. The study of functional part formation identified distinct chronological dynamics, demonstrating the selectivity of technological innovations. A progressive development of body shape is observed in pot-type vessels, whereas jar-shaped forms exhibited simultaneous regression. This suggests shifting functional requirements driven by the socio-economic transformation of Bronze Age society. A complex synthesis is recorded in the ornamental tradition: the preservation of a stable local foundation, serving as a marker of collective identity, alongside the active absorption of external cultural impulses. Although the core of the collection aligns with the Nura cultural circle, the discovery of «imitation vessels» with Alakul and Tagar parallels serves as direct evidence of extensive intercultural contacts and migration processes within the framework of the Andronovo cultural and historical community. This is further supported by foreign cultural decorative techniques that imitate various types of combed and smooth ornamental stamps. In conclusion, it should be emphasized that this research identifies specific features of ceramic production reflecting both conservative local traditions and dynamic external influences. The findings enable a precise reconstruction of cultural interactions, technological paradigm shifts, and the chronological evolution of material culture across the region’s steppe and forest-steppe zones.
Andronovo cultural and historical community
Copyright (c) 2026 D. Shaimukhanova, R. Zhumatayev https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Chronology and cultural affiliation of the early burials of the Tazhegul burial ground
This paper introduces materials obtained during scientific research at the Tazhegul archaeological complex. The complex is located near the village of Abylaykhan in the Burabay district of the Akmola region. A topographic description of the valley is provided, which contains numerous sites from various periods – from the Early and Late Bronze Ages to the modern period. This paper aims to highlight the research findings on monuments dating back to the initial stage of the complex's formation. The methods and materials section describes the process and results of the study of two objects: stone enclosure No. 1 and a small extension to enclosure No. 2. The first site is located in the lower, northern part of the valley, while the second was discovered in the upper southern part, in the stratigraphic layer beneath the Kazakh Kystau. Radiocarbon dating of the sites yielded dates ranging from the 4th to the 3rd millennia BC. The literature review and discussion section provides a comparative typological analysis of similar sites studied in other regions of Kazakhstan. This allowed the authors to hypothesize about the unified processes of cultural genesis that occurred across much of Kazakhstan during the Early Bronze Age. The article focuses on Early Bronze Age sites in the Burabay mountain forest massif of Northern Kazakhstan, the materials from which are important for addressing certain issues concerning the origins of archaeological cultures of this period. New materials, the first ever discovered in the study area, reveal evidence of burial structures and a burial rite similar to the Yamnaya culture. The authors document and analyze cultural layers of different periods within the complex. Monuments with characteristics of the Yamnaya culture are overlain by a cultural layer of the Nura-Fyodorovo archaeological culture. This paper presents information on reliably identified sites of the Nura-Fyodorovo archaeological culture located near the Tazhygul complex. The discussion section provides a comparative analysis of the characteristic features of the Yamnaya archaeological culture and the Nura-Fyodorovo culture sites that succeeded it. In conclusion, the researchers formulate and express the concept that the formation of regional groups of the Nura-Fyodorovo culture could have occurred on the basis of the Yamnaya culture monuments.
Copyright (c) 2025 K. Auezov, S. Yarygin, S. Sakenov, G. Kulmagambetova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
All Union Censuses as resources for historical demographic research of urban population in 1950-1980-s
The results of All-Union censuses’ analysis as sources of historical and demographic research are represented in the paper. The Censuses characterize different groups of the population at a particular time. They form a large set of statistical materials distributed in various thematic tables. The sources of the paper are systematized into census tables submitted to the state archives, as well as statistical collections where the results of the censuses are presented in a concise form. The aim of the paper is to describe those census materials that are valuable for the research of demographic characteristics of the urban population. Internal criticism of sources and the method of comparative analysis are research methods. As a result, it is revealed that All-Union censuses with certain shortcomings included are generally an accurate statistical resource. However, the situation might be different for the population of individual republics and regions. The country's leadership insisted on hiding the information about the size and territorial location of certain categories of the population. The special census procedure was applied to military personnel, employees of local KGB bodies and employees of individual industrial enterprises, etc. Closed cities which population was also distributed across different regions of the country were not included into the census systematized tables. The author’s method for calculating the approximate size of population attributions, which requires Soviet-era statistics, and recalculations based on the results of the 2002 All-Russian Census is applied. Currently, most of the census materials can be easily found in central and regional archives and libraries. Certain difficulties occur while searching for some rarely found information that is obvious due to the fact that they have not yet been transferred to archives from departmental repositories. Thus, as a result of the analysis of statistical collections and tables, the census data relevant for the study of the urban population, their completeness and reliability are revealed in the paper for the first time. The specific features of publications of the results of different censuses are represented and the places of their storage are indicated. It gives an opportunity for scholars to introduce with the materials that can be a foundation for further description of the most important trends and patterns in the numerical, gender, age, social class, and national composition of the urban population in the 1950-s and 1980-s.
Copyright (c) 2025 O. Dashinamzhilov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Soviet migration in the context of passportization in the early 1930s.
The purpose of the article is to study the traditional phenomenon of seasonal migration from the Russian villages, namely the temporary departure of rural residents from their permanent homes for work. In the 1920s and the first half of the 1930s, it underwent transformation aimed at establishing state control over labor migration, particularly from the village, and organizing the supply of workers to industry. The study shows that throughout the 1920s, the Soviet government attempted to limit the spontaneous movement of the rural population, seeing it as a reason for rising unemployment and worsening socio-economic conditions in cities. To combat unregulated movements within the country and to evenly provide the industry with labor, the state implemented a system of economic recruitment. However, by the late 1920s to 1930s, unemployment was replaced by a “staff shortage”, and the demand for labor first exceeded supply. This shift required the authorities to introduce new measures to ensure the growing industry had enough workforce. Therefore, before the beginning of the passportization campaign, two channels for hiring workforce from the village remained economic recruitment and seasonal migration, but for peasants who signed contracts with economic authorities, agricultural benefits were introduced to attract them to participate in the seasonal migration. Concurrently, due to the policy pursued by the Bolsheviks in the villages and the onset of famine, the problem of mass outflow of population from villages worsened. This led to disruptions in commodity supply, intensifying the housing crisis, and leading to an increase in criminal activity in cities. Administrative documentation often classified such migrants were also referred to as seasonal migrants, although they were not related to labor migration. In the context of the flight of peasants, the government took measures aimed at keeping village residents in the villages and socially cleansing cities by introducing passports - a kind of filter whose possession granted the right to reside in cities, especially in restricted areas. New documents were not issued to rural residents, which limited their mobility across the country. Now, to leave the village, a peasant was required to provide documents confirming their intention to engage in “socially useful labor” in production, institutions, schools; documents of this kind included a job invitation, a recruitment contract, a certificate from the collective farm's administration about the departure, etc. The introduction of the passport system effectively transformed seasonal migration from a spontaneous labor migration into a system of organized supply for the industrial sector, while mass movement from the village was prohibited under the threat of administrative and repressive measures against violators of the new regime.
Copyright (c) 2025 N. Potapova https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Comparative analysis of the consequences of famine in Kazakhstan in the20-30 years of the 20th century: demographic aspect
This article is devoted to the study of historical and demographic aspects of famine in Kazakhstan at the beginning of the 20th century. During this period, there were two major famines in Kazakhstan in 1921-1923 and 1931-1933. In both cases, the victims of famine number in the millions. The aim of the work is a historical and comparative analysis of the demographic consequences of two famines with a difference of ten years. The comparative analysis of hunger with the use of archival documents, census materials and statistical data, as well as the application of the method of demographic analysis of the consequences of famines, the scale of damage, and their impact on the lives of the indigenous population of the republic, are defined as research tasks. In particular, the objectives of the study included the systematization of statistical data by measurement, by period, by age, by location, by quantitative and percentage ratios, the use of a comparative method of analyzing numbers and data, drawing up a picture of the demographic situation after the two famines of the 20th century, the analysis of numerical data presented in tables and statistical schemes. A feature of the research methodology is the systematization of statistical data for both cities in various dimensions and modules. The results of the study show that the use of a comparative method to study the demographic consequences of hunger contributes to an even deeper study of this topic. However, there were a number of difficulties in writing this article. These include the fact that the population of several regions and districts is not indicated, as well as general figures in censuses conducted several years after the famine years. There are some difficulties in the data designated as human losses, such as the ratio of their share in internal and external migration, the contradiction of information provided by local authorities with official statistical authorities, the identification of unregistered cases of morbidity (death from illness or starvation), and mortality. The results of the study consist of three parts. The first and second parts consider the historical, political, and demographic aspects of the famines of 1921-1923 and 1931-1933. The third part presents a comparative analysis of the demographic losses of the two famines. According to the results obtained, it turned out that during the famine years, Kazakhs showed the highest rate of human casualties in the republic. The results obtained through qualitative analysis using statistical data served as an empirical basis for compiling a more complete demographic picture of mass famine in the 20s-30s of the 20th century in Kazakhstan.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ye. Ustagaliyev, D. Aitmagambetov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/