Hero Demanded by the Era. Part - 4

Letter from Abdullabek Alimbek uulu to General Skobelev

The actions of Shabdan the Hero and his horsemen in southern Kyrgyzstan apparently did not exceed the limits of what was permissible, so as not to appear as servants of the Russian generals; their goal was precisely to prevent unnecessary mass bloodshed. This was vividly demonstrated during the Alai Expedition from July to October of the following year, 1876, under the command of the troops of the Fergana region, Major General M. D. Skobelev. According to Shabdan, he was summoned to this expedition by M. D. Skobelev, and in a report dated October 23, 1876, the major general states that "the brave and worthy Shabdan, who arrived at his own request (i.e., desire) with 25 horsemen from Tokmak and offered his services, refused his share of the spoils, saying that he came to serve, not to take."

Another Russian commander of the flying squad, Colonel Witgenstein, also noted in his report to M. D. Skobelev dated September 7, 1876, that "Shabdan's horsemen and he himself were very helpful during this affair."

Thanks to the presence of Shabdan and his brother Baybosun in the expedition, there was an opportunity for a diplomatic resolution of the situation between the opposing sides. For clarity, we will provide the full content of a little-known letter from the leader of the Alai Kyrgyz, Abdullabek Alimbek uulu, received by the addressee on July 27, 1876. It states: "To His Excellency Skobelev! We have received your letter regarding the truce. Until now, with the help of Allah and His prophet, gathering people, we have resisted because you constantly violate the obligations you have taken upon yourselves. For example: you handed over the rule of the Kokand Khanate to Regent Nasreddin, then took away power from him and sent him to Siberia. You also, General Skobelev, made an agreement with the respected Abdrahman autobachi, promising to leave him in Kokand, but broke your word and sent him and several of our elders to Siberia. All this has caused distrust towards you, and fearing you has forced us to retreat into the mountains to resist you. You rely on the strength and number of your weapons. We are unarmed and hope only for the will of Allah.

If you had fulfilled your promises, we would not have resorted to such actions. We want, while we are alive, to defend ourselves, our honor. We are nomads, but we also need property, wealth, and all kinds of goods.

Starting from Tokmak, you conquered the Kyrgyz, Kipchaks, Sart, made promises, but after the capture of Kokand, everything changed. If you had not broken your promises, there would have been no uprising. If you truly desire peace and intend to keep your promises, then assign Shabdan the Hero to the task. We also express our trust in him. LET Shabdan the Hero resolve our issues. It is all up to you, but if you leave Shabdan in the Osh district, it is possible that order will be established between us."

But, unfortunately, although "Abdullabek was inclined to surrender, the other rebels did not agree to this, and after an open fight, the entire party moved towards (the pass) Kyzyl-Art, capturing Shabdan's brother with his two horsemen." Soon, Baybosun and his friends were released. Kyrgyz traditions have preserved the people's memory of the fruitful mediating role of Shabdan the Hero during this military expedition in negotiations between the captured mother of Abdullabek, the famous "Queen of Alai," Kurmanzhan Datka, and Russian General M. D. Skobelev. And that he personally requested from General Skobelev the pardon of 35 mullahs, ishan, and other honorable people of the city of Namangan sentenced to execution. In total, according to the author of the first biographical work on Shabdan, Osmonaly Sydykov, the hero contributed to the release from responsibility for various offenses of 73 of his compatriots.

Shabdan the Hero maintained the most amicable relations with the residents of southern Kyrgyzstan in the following years. This is vividly evidenced by his persistent efforts—petitions to the Steppe Governor-General of the Semirechye region from 1882 to 1885 on behalf of himself and Soorombay Kudoyarov for the early release from custody of a resident of the Toguz-Torau district, mullah Mamyrbai Kuatbekov.

Hero, Demanded by the Era. Part - 3