The Legend of the Manap Baytik Kanaev

BAYTIK-BATYR

In 1862, a rebellion erupted among the Kyrgyz in the Chuy Valley. It was led by the bey of the Solto clan, Baytik Kanaev. What made this man famous?

Here are the scant historical data, gathered bit by bit from archives.

Born in 1820, died in 1886. Hereditary manap of the Solto tribe. For his bravery and strength, he received the honorary title of "batyr" from the people. He was known as an irreconcilable enemy of Kokand rule and a friend of Russia. He raised a rebellion and destroyed the Kokand governor Rahmatulla. Together with Russian troops, Baytik's detachment stormed the fortresses of Bishkek, Merke, and Auliye-Ata; they were taken and destroyed. He received the rank of captain in the Russian army from the Russian government. He was awarded: the Great Gold Medal on the Annen ribbon and the Order of Stanislaus III class.
In 1867, he was among the representatives of Central Asian peoples who traveled to St. Petersburg to present themselves to Emperor Alexander II. That's about all.

Much more detail about the personality of Baytik is preserved in the memory of the people. In memories (and retellings from the words of old people), he appears to us as a semi-legendary figure, possessing all the attributes of a folk hero.

Baytik was the son of the supreme manap Kanay from his second (and therefore younger) wife. The elder wife was considered the mistress ~ baibiche.

Children from younger wives performed all the hard household work. And Baytik was dressed quite differently from the older sons, which was only right: it was inappropriate to gather manure or carry bundles of firewood on your back in festive clothing.

Time passed. Baytik turned into a broad-shouldered, tall jigit. He was about two meters tall. His father noticed his agility, intelligence, and skill and singled him out among the other sons.

Now Baytik was dressed no worse than his older brothers, and his horse Ker-Kashka—a gift from his father—was the best.

By the time of the events that drastically changed the future of Baytik Kanaev, that is, by 1862, he was already known to historians as the recognized head of the Solto clan. People lived well under him. The wise, just rule of the supreme tribal leader, his even temperament, and energy directed towards the good of the tribe—all this naturally evoked reciprocal love and respect from the people. And then a great misfortune approached.

According to the custom established in the khanate, local feudal lords were obliged to send their children (or younger relatives) into "service" to the Kokand governors. This made it easier to keep rebellious tribal leaders in check. Baytik was forced to send his younger son Baytik-batyr into "service" to the commander of the Kokand fortress Bishkek, who was, in fact, the khan's governor in the Chuy Valley, Rahmatulla. This Rahmatulla-datka, a corpulent, gluttonous libertine, inflicted a grave insult on the entire clan of Baytik. He dragged the boy into his bed. Such insults can only be washed away with blood.

Baytik invites Rahmatulla to visit, pretending to have forgotten the insult.

The datka arrived with 60 jigits. The hosts set up ten yurts for the guests, with a large yurt in the center for the main guest.

After tea, gifts began to be distributed to the guests: rich brocade robes, silks, furs, silver bridles, belts, expensive fur hats, and horses. At the same time, several of Baytik's jigits secretly cut the stirrups and girths of the Kokand horses.

They served beshbarmak. And then Baytik-batyr clapped his hands. At this signal, the slaughter began.

Rahmatulla, who had been on guard the whole time, managed to escape from the yurt. His loyal jigits put him in the saddle, and he galloped away, caring little for the others. And the slaughter continued. Still, most of the Kokand men managed to mount their horses. Many of them immediately fell off along with their saddles. And those who were lucky rushed after their leader. The Solto men gave chase... Rahmatulla was caught and killed by Baytik's closest companion, his "right hand" Kokum...

Now let’s return again to 1862. The rebelling Kyrgyz at the fortress of Bishkek. Without artillery and siege equipment, there was no thought of taking the fortress. The nomads did not know how to storm or lay siege to fortresses. And Baytik sends his cousin Uzbek Boshkoev with a letter to Verny, where the Russian troops were stationed...

Through the joint efforts of the Kyrgyz rebels led by Baytik-batyr and the regular Russian troops commanded by Colonel G. A. Kolpakovsky, the fortress of Bishkek was taken and destroyed to the ground. After this, G. A. Kolpakovsky, who became a major general, highly appreciated Baytik's role in the rebellion and the capture of the fortress. In his directive to the commander of the Siberian Corps, Dyugamel, he wrote about him: "Throughout the siege of this fortress, he behaved extremely commendably and, through his diligence and loyalty, fully deserved a worthy reward."

Dyugamel requested the Russian government to award the manap with the Great Gold Medal on the Annen ribbon.

Which was done with "most gracious favor."

Myths and Legends