Abdullabek and Pulat-Khan: A Story of Pride
The choice of Kurmandzhan Datka, who accepted Russian citizenship, predetermined, as is known, the further historical path of the southern Kyrgyz. However, another scenario was also possible, embodied in the fate of the impostor Pulat-Khan and the rebellious son of the Alay queen, Abdullabek. The stories of their fates are both interesting and instructive...
It is known what the fate of the Alay people would have been had they followed not the advice of their wise matriarch but the calls of her offspring, an arrogant and proud fanatic, an associate of the disgraced Pulat-Khan. The uncrowned prince of Alay would likely not have spared his fellow tribesmen, throwing them onto the altar of his ambitions. He was not at all tempted by the prospect of becoming a mere volost elder, a tax collector for the tsar's treasury, after entering the ranks of Russian subjects.
But let us try to answer the difficult question: was the position of this rebel hopeless?..
Taming the Stubborn Abdullabek
As it turns out, the conqueror of Turkestan, Skobelev, repeatedly attempted to initiate peaceful negotiations with Abdullabek. This is evidenced by several letters addressed to him by the general, currently stored in the military-historical archive in Moscow. Here is one of these documents: “Abdullabek Datka! I propose that you voluntarily come to us with your people, without leaving Abdulkarimbek. You have already seen the impossibility of fighting against the invincible Russian troops; neither mountains, nor rivers, nor enemies can stop them. Therefore, you will be hunted down everywhere as a fugitive until, sooner or later, you are captured by us.
Upon coming to us, surrender to the inexhaustible generosity of our famous leader - Yarym-Padsha and hope for his mercy. But, in any case, you know better. Skobelev.”
However, the Russian general's persuasion was far from the only measure taken to reason with the stubborn batyr.
It turns out that Abdullabek also had a conversation with a loyal servant of the "white tsar," the leader of the Kemin Kyrgyz, Shabdan Jantaev. During a confidential conversation, the Alay man nearly leaned towards the decision to surrender to the Russian authorities, but as he confessed to his interlocutor, such a decision would not stop the majority of the “other rebels.”
As a result, the negotiations reached a deadlock. Moreover, Abdullabek's horsemen captured Shabdan's brother Abdurakhman and two of his associates. However, after some time, the rebels released these captives. Subsequently, after an open battle, Abdullabek's rebels were pursued by the flying detachment of Prince Witgenstein and Shabdan-Batyr across the Pamir Pass Kyzyl-Art to the Chon-Suu River on the way to Karategin. After that, the detachment of Alay rebels split into two: one part, led by Abdullabek, went to Badakhshan, while the other headed to Karategin.
Abdullabek, along with his brothers, fought his way through, leaving Kurmandzhan to the enemy. By that time, the Alay queen likely already understood the hopelessness of the rebels, for whom her sons were fighting.
The matriarch intended to flee to Afghanistan, but on July 29, 1876, she was intercepted by the detachments of Major General Ionov. Without resisting the Russians who captured her, she immediately agreed to meet with the commander of the army, M. D. Skobelev, whose camp was located in the Archa-Bulak area in Chon-Ala.
The captured datka arrived there accompanied by Ionov and a group of biys, bringing her younger son Kamchybek and her grandson Myrzapayas with her. Kurmandzhan Datka fulfilled her promise.
Moreover, the matriarch, having received guarantees of the safety of her fellow tribesmen from Skobelev, sent the Kyrgyz prisoners she had received throughout Alay with a call to return to their aiyls. Her sons returned home as well. Mamytbek and Khasanbek came from Kabul, while Batyrbek came from the Badaulat of Yakub-Bek in Kashgar. The arriving governor-general Kaufman appointed them as volost administrators. Kurmandzhan did not forget to send a message to Abdullabek. Here is the text of this letter: “To the esteemed, beloved son, the heir to the throne of Alay, brave and loyal Abdullabek!... We, thanks to Allah, are in good health and in harmony with our people.
We, for our part, are assured by General Skobelev of a peaceful disposition towards the Kara-Kyrgyz and all possible assistance in the swift conclusion of this senseless slaughter. Enough blood, Abdullabek. Do not seek the edge of an egg. Peace must reign in Alay. Release the people to their mothers and children. Believe me: the Russian padishah is invincible. You have been shown this. Khudoyar-Khan was much stronger than you - and he fell to his knees like a stallion with cut veins. With Russia's support, we will gain borders that will not be violated by either the Kidan (i.e., the Chinese - Note by V. P.) or the Fars (i.e., the Iranians and Afghans). The slaughter between the tribes will cease. The people will engage in their ancestral labor, not in raids and the defense of their aiyls. How can you not understand that by taking away a small tribal pride, you do not give a greater hope for long-lasting peace and prosperity.
Upon receiving this letter, come immediately to Sufi-Kurgan, where you will receive from your old mother the title of datka and my blessing. If you are wronged by the Russians, the punishment for this will fall on my head.”
As we can see, among the arguments of the Alay queen is not only her call to submit to the power of the “white padishah,” but also reasons that speak to Kurmandzhan's great foresight as a politician: she understood that Russian citizenship would provide the Alay people with great benefits - primarily the security of borders and the cessation of internecine strife.
Alas, the rational arguments did not have their effect. Obviously, the unquestionable authority of the rebellious son of the matriarch was held by his suzerain, the rebellious Pulat-Khan.
Kurmanzhan Datka
