Alymbek - the Main Figure in the Khanate under Sha-Murad
The Removal of Malla-Khan by Alymbek
Being a perceptive researcher, Duygamel, who closely observed the situation within the Kyrgyz tribes, understood that Alymbek, who openly opposed the Kokand khan, would attempt to become an independent ruler of Tian Shan and would therefore inevitably turn to the Russians. This intention, apparently, was present in Alymbek. Duygamel instructed the head of the Alatav district, G.A. Kolpakovsky, to treat Alymbek favorably if he attempted to establish relations. Even the tsar found the "practical... instructions made in case Alymbek expressed his intention to enter into friendly relations with us" to be useful.
For tsarism and Russian policy in Turkestan as a whole, this was certainly advantageous primarily as a favorable springboard for further advancement into the depths of Central Asia, especially since prior to this, the sarybagysh manaps had a negative attitude towards joining Russia. However, Alymbek took a different path, directing his efforts towards the overthrow of Malla-Khan in Kokand.
The following year, Malla-Khan decided to resume his campaign, but the Kyrgyz categorically refused to participate. The khan sent his men to arrest Alymbek, but he, warned in time, fled to Alai, to Gulcha. Only his property could be confiscated. However, this was not the end of the energetic Alymbek's career. As recalled in his autobiography by the famous Kyrgyz feudal lord Shabdan Jantaev, during his service under the Khanate - the ruler of Tashkent - Alymbek, in conspiracy with Kydyr, Shabdan-Khodzha, and five other feudal lords, including Alymkul, Khudai-Nazar-Datka, Dust-Mekhtar, and Mad-Ibrahim-Mirza, burst into Malla-Khan's quarters and killed him in his bedroom. This occurred in the early days of March 1862, and from that moment on, Alymbek likely became the main figure in the khanate under the conspirators' appointee - Sha-Murad.
The throne was ascended by the nephew of Khudoyar-Khan - Sha-Murad. With the ascension of Sha-Murad, Khudoyar-Khan decided to reclaim the throne. Having secured the support of the Bukhara emir Muzaffar, he headed towards Kokand. The emir, with part of his troops, crossed the Darya and went to the Karakum, starting to plunder the Kyrgyz. Sha-Murad fled from Kokand, and Khudoyar-Khan entered the capital. However, Alymkul and the Talas Kyrgyz of the Naiman clan, Sarymsak-bai, managed to gather an army mainly from the Kyrgyz, defeated Khudoyar's army near Assake, and the khan found himself under a long siege. During this time, the emir of Bukhara took Kokand, began to plunder the city, but, fearing retribution and strong resistance, fled back to Bukhara. Episodic battles occurred between Alymkul and Khudoyar-Khan. Gradually, the Kyrgyz and Kipchaks seized Andijan, Margilan, and Namangan. In this struggle against Khudoyar-Khan, the Kyrgyz clan leaders of the Naiman clan - Sarymsak-bai, Alymkul's friend - Tavaldi, the Isfara and Sukh rivers Kyrgyz particularly distinguished themselves. In the second half of June 1863, the Kyrgyz leaders proclaimed the minor son of Malla-Khan - Sultan-Seid, who lived in Namangan, as khan.
The actual ruler alongside him became Alymkul.
Alymbek Datka - the biy overseeing the governance of the Kyrgyz
