Ablai Khan

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Ablai-Khan (1711 - 1781) was a Kazakh khan of the Middle Horde. Born as Abulmansur. Ablai-Khan belonged to the senior branch of descendants of the 15th century founder of the Kazakh state, Janybek Khan. In the first half of the 18th century Ablai-Khan proved to be a talented organizer and commander as he headed detachments of the Kazakh militia fighting the Dzungars. He participated in the most significant battles against the Jungars from the 1720s to the 1750s, for which he was declared a "batyr" ("hero") by the people.

Ablai's activity aimed to create a strong and independent Kazakh state. He headed the unified forces of the Kazakhs and furthered the centralization of state power in Kazakhstan. In 1771 at the meeting of the representatives of the three hordes (Kazakh "zhuz" or "one hundred"), Ablai was elected as a Kazakh khan.

During the Qing campaigns against the Dzungars, Ablai Khan chose not to take sides in the Dzungar-Chinese conflict. Once the conflict was settled, Ablai offered his submission to the Qianlong Emperor. Ablai was confirmed as Kazakh khan by both the Chinese and the Russians.

The life of Khan from Abulmansur to Ablai is the subject material for the 2005 Kazakhstani film "Nomad" (Kazakh: Көшпенділер)