Zharkynaiym.
In the political life of the Kokand Khanate, an interesting role was played by the wife of Sherali Khan (1841-1844), Zharkynaiym.
Zharkynaiym (Khakim Aym) was born in 1802 into a wealthy family of a biya from the Saruu tribe. Her father, Asperdi Datka (historically known as Ajibek Datka), was a prominent statesman in the Kokand and Khiva Khanates. Asperdi Datka had two sons and two daughters - Zharkynai and Ziinat (Ziinat Datka).
Zharkynai's childhood was spent in the Talas Valley on the banks of the Kara-Buura River in the Koyon-Tokoy area. After making a pilgrimage to Mecca, her father Asperdi married Zharkynai to Sherali's nephew. They had three sons and a daughter.
In 1841, Sherali became the Khan of Kokand. To personally congratulate Sherali on his ascension to the throne, Alym-bek Datka arrived at the Kokand horde with his wife Kurmanzhan (Kurmanzhan Datka).
Here, Kurmanzhan met the wives of Sherali Khan, Zharkynaiym and Sonaiym. She presented them with gifts brought from Alai. Over the dastarkhan, the women got to know each other better, finding common ground and understanding. Kurmanzhan was impressed by Zharkynaiym's beauty, intellect, upbringing, her hospitality towards high guests, her warmth, and her talent for conversation. A connection was established between Kurmanzhan and the first women of the khanate, which gradually strengthened over time.
The wise and far-sighted Kurmanzhan performed a farewell ritual with Zharkynaiym and her close friends before leaving for Alai. This took place in the horde, in a special yurt for guests. Zharkynaiym understood that Kurmanzhan wanted to speak with her privately, face to face. Kurmanzhan began from afar, recounting the history of the Kyrgyz people from a single ancestor - Turk Ata, discussing the Kyrgyz struggle against foreign invaders, pointing out the scattered nature of Kyrgyz tribes and the absence of a united Kyrgyz khanate. Now, Kurmanzhan continued, it was necessary to take advantage of the current situation, with Sherali Khan in power. It was essential to strengthen this power, for the Kyrgyz to unite and act as a single camp in the interests of Sherali Khan. Anything could happen in the horde. If help was needed, she and Alym-bek Datka would always come to assist, for they had all of Alai, and the Andijan and Namangan Kyrgyz behind them.
The Khan is strong in his power, the bek in his solid position. Among the Kyrgyz, it is probably no coincidence that it is said: "Ayal jakshy, er jakshy" ("A good wife makes a good husband"). The main thing, the women decided, was for them and their people to live in good harmony, supporting each other. Both women decided to keep this conversation a secret. In the end, they swore an oath of loyalty to each other. As a farewell, Kurmanzhan and Zharkynaiym exchanged embroidered handkerchiefs for unforeseen critical situations, to take decisive measures to assist each other.
Thanks to Zharkynaiym, Kurmanzhan Datka was kept informed of all events in the horde. She did much to strengthen the power of Sherali Khan (and later his son Kudoiyar Khan) and to unite the Kyrgyz tribes. In 1845, during the suppression of the Kyrgyz uprising in Osh led by the Kipchaks' leader Musulmanqul, Zharkynaiym informed Kurmanzhan of a planned assassination attempt on Alym-bek Datka, sending a handkerchief with a special messenger. Zharkynaiym saved Alym-bek Datka from execution. This raised Kurmanzhan's prestige. After Sherali Khan's death, during Kudoiyar's reign, the connection between Zharkynaiym and Kurmanzhan Datka did not break but deepened.
Uzbek scholar-historian R.N. Nabiyev writes in his book "History of the Kokand Khanate": "...The mother of Kudoiyar, Zharkynaiym, lived almost until the end of Kudoiyar's reign, enjoying great authority not only among the female half of the court but also among the highest ruling nobility. She intervened in state affairs.
For example, at her insistence, Kudoiyar revoked his order for the execution of Kasym Minbashy.
Kudoiyar had a strong sense of kinship. He honored his mother and obeyed her in everything. The old woman Zharkynaiym, who was called "Khakim-Aym," lived mostly in a Kyrgyz yurt set up for her in the old horde, as was her custom...
The authority of the mother and sister was so great that the weakening of Kudoiyar's power is only associated with the death of the Khan's mother and sister..."
Zharkynaiym supported her relatives not only in her horde but also in Talas. To prevent struggles for power, Zharkynaiym always offered wise advice. Therefore, conflicts never arose between Kudoiyar Khan and Sultan Murad, another son of Zharkynaiym. Sultan Murad was the akim of Margilan until the end of his life and always deeply respected his mother.
In 2000, the director of the museum in Kokand "Palace of Kokand," Yahakhan Dadabaev, collected materials noting that Zharkynaiym was a progressive, educated, just, and wise woman for her time. In her horde, she was deeply respected, authoritative, and actively participated in resolving many state affairs. Her word was decisive.
Kudoiyar Khan loved his mother very much and visited her chambers every morning to greet her and hear her advice and instructions.
In 1868, Zharkynaiym passed away. Kudoiyar Khan and his children bid her farewell with tears. Lavish funerals were organized, and many people attended. Not only the residents of Kokand but also those from other cities and ails came to say goodbye to Zharkynaiym. Kurmanzhan Datka arrived with all her sons and close relatives. In the history of the Kokand Khanate, this was the second instance of such grand ceremonial funerals. Zharkynaiym made a significant contribution to the construction of the new Kokand Palace.
In memory of his mother, Kudoiyar Khan built a beautiful madrasah in the center of Kokand, which still adorns the city today.
During the Soviet period, her name was banned, and only after Kyrgyzstan was proclaimed an independent state did it take its rightful place in the centuries-old history of the Kyrgyz people.
Women of Kyrgyzstan