Abstract
The paper analyses the historiography of the batyr’srole in maintaining the integrity of the Kazakh state in the first quarter of the XVIII – the second half of XIX century. The researchers demonstrate the degree of study of the theme and peculiarities of approaches in the development of the institute of batyrsand its role in the unity of the Kazakh khanate. The researchers identified contemporary tendencies and directions in the study of theoretical problems of the role of batyrs as a social institute (‘institution’ should have been more appropriate) in the life of Kazakh society. Certain aspects of the problem, such as the term “batyr”, the social structure of the Kazakh society, the role of batyrs as a public institution in the life of Kazakh people. Modern Kazakh historiography is characterized by a trend away from dogmatic stereotypes, expansion of range of issues under study and attraction of oral folklore materials on the topic that interests people.