Abstract
The article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the role of Abulkhair Khan, one of the key political and military leaders of the Kazakh people in the 18th century. The focus is on the period of his rule over the Junior Zhuz, marked by large-scale challenges, foreign policy threats, and internal contradictions. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of Abulkhair’s political, military, and diplomatic activities, including his decisive role in organizing resistance to Dzungar invasions, strengthening the position of khan’s power, and consolidating national unity. Particular attention is paid to the Khan’s initiative in establishing interstate relations with the Russian Empire, which became a significant step in shaping the foreign policy direction of Kazakh statehood. The study also examines aspects of his internal governance, strategies for regulating tribal relations, and attempts to modernize traditional structures of power. Based on the analysis of historical sources and modern historiography, the author argues that Abulkhair Khan’s actions laid the foundation for the political consolidation of the Kazakh zhuzes and played an important role in creating the prerequisites for the subsequent development of Kazakh statehood.