NEW SEARCHES ON THE KAZAKH-KALMYK RELATIONS OF THE FIRST HALF OF 1740S: NEW ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS FROM ELISTA

Abstract

On the base of new archival documents from the National Archive Republic of Kamykia this paper examines V.N. Tatishchev’s activities to regulate the relations between Kazakhs and Kalmyks during 1741-1745 crisis in Kalmyk Khanate. Thanks to the tireless attention and consistent actions, V.N. Tatishchev managed to get in touch with the Kazakh elite and promote the conclusion of a peace treaty between the Kazakhs and the Kalmyks. The management style of V.N. Tatishchev, aimed at establishing an alliance with the nomadic elite, and the policy of peaceful conquest of the steppes, allowed Russia to control the border zone, unfortified by structures, without the use of military force. This was important during the warеtime (Russian- Sweden war of 1741-1743). And as subsequent events showed, I. Neplyuev’s tough management style led to opposition with the Kazakh Khan Abulhair, which led to a breach of stability in the region. The next period of time 1743-1744 was characterized by numerous raids of Kazakhs to Russian fortresses and neighboring Kalmyks. The stability of the border region has been broken. Regular military units were not enough. The result was that the situation demanded a lot of attention from both central and local governments.