Abstract
This article examines the place and historical role of the *batyr* institution within the military-political landscape of traditional 18th-century Kazakh society. The study focuses on the political, military, and social activities of *batyrs* amidst the complex and volatile internal and external political processes of the era. It analyzes their role in fostering national unity and defense, organizing military campaigns, and rallying Kazakh clans and tribes, as well as their interactions with khans, sultans, *biys*, and other representatives of the traditional social structure. Particular attention is paid to defining the nature of *batyr* authority and the specifics of its formation within the traditional social system, alongside the ontology and evolution of this institution. The primary objective of the study is to elucidate the key functions, status, and significance of the *batyr* institution in the socio-political life of traditional 18th-century Kazakh society.Based on an analysis of historical data and scholarly literature, this study examines the evolution of the role of *batyrs* during the 18th century, a process driven by military and political events–specifically the Kazakh-Dzungar wars–and the geopolitical landscape that subsequently emerged in the region. The study substantiates the argument that the institution of *batyrs* was a crucial element of the traditional social structure of Kazakh society, fulfilling not only military functions but also socio-political, integrative, and diplomatic roles.