Atake Batyr was a biya - the ruler of the Sarybagysh clan, living in the Chuy Valley. To hide a defect in his lower jaw, he had to wear a special bandage covering his mouth. Due to his wisdom and insight, Atake Batyr was highly respected by ordinary people and held authority among the elders and leaders of Kyrgyz tribes.
He understood that only decisive measures could prevent the disappearance of the Kyrgyz as a people and preserve their independence, so he decided to convene a kurultai (council) of the rulers of the Northern Kyrgyzstan clans, experienced and knowledgeable people, to discuss the current situation.
Kurultai. The leaders of the clans, accompanied by batyrs and dzhigits, gathered in Atake Batyr's aiyl. They were received with great honor and attention. In specially designated colorful yurts for guests, dastarkhans were laid out with abundant treats, and renowned akyns sang songs in their honor, while competitions of famous wrestlers and strongmen were organized.
The clan leaders, wise aksakals, gathered in the beautifully decorated spacious yurt of Atake, sitting according to custom — in the center were the experienced and authoritative elders, etc. The kurultai began. The first to speak was Atake Batyr — the oldest of the biy. He thoroughly informed those gathered about the difficult situation facing the Kyrgyz people. Instead of one long-standing enemy — the Kalmak khans, now the independence of the Kyrgyz was threatened simultaneously by three. To the south, countless Chinese troops were on standby, to the west, the influence of the Kokand Khanate was growing year by year, tormenting the people with its levies, and to the northeast, the related Kazakhs had turned into malicious enemies. All of them were ready to subjugate the Kyrgyz and plunder their wealth at the slightest opportunity.
The kurultai dragged on for a long time. The leaders and their wise advisors expressed various proposals. They considered all the nearby and distant neighbors who could help the Kyrgyz. Finally, they all deemed Atake Batyr's words reasonable and justified: to fight a strong enemy, one must seek a strong ally. Then Atake Batyr proposed to establish ties with Russia.
As Atake Batyr had heard, the Russian tsar possessed great power. His state was very large, and there were many people. The Russian troops were well-trained, armed with rifles and cannons. “If the Kyrgyz accepted the allegiance of Russia, then the enemies would not dare to attack us,” he declared. Some biy disagreed with this opinion, but no one offered more weighty arguments or an alternative solution. The kurultai decided to send an envoy to the White Tsar. This was truly a historic decision, as it had enormous significance for the future fate of the Kyrgyz people.
Sending envoys to Russia. Atake Batyr pondered for a long time about whom to send as an envoy to the distant country. Firstly, it should be someone who had been to Russia and understood the customs and manners of the Russian people. Secondly, this person should possess a flexible mind and command respect. Thirdly, he should be experienced and resourceful, able to quickly orient himself and overcome difficulties that might arise on the long journey through foreign lands.
The choice fell on Abdrahman Kuchakov and a close associate of Atake — Shergazy. Abdrahman had gone to Russia in childhood with relatives who moved there to live and had lived there for many years. Later, he returned to his homeland and settled in Atake's aiyl. Fluent in Russian and knowledgeable about Russian life, Abdrahman headed the embassy. The second envoy was Atake's trusted person — his adopted son Shergazy. They were accompanied by two nukhers (warriors) of Atake Batyr.
In the spring of 1785, the envoys left Atake-bi's aiyl, and in the autumn of the same year, they arrived in Siberia, part of Russia, and met with the governor-general in Omsk. After receiving permission to enter St. Petersburg, the envoys set off on their long journey. They had to cover the distance from the southern borders of Russia to the city of St. Petersburg located in the north on horseback during the autumn and winter seasons. They faced many difficulties, sometimes unexpected.
The envoys arrived at the royal palace on December 29, 1785. On March 15, 1786, they were received by Empress Catherine II and presented her, on behalf of Atake Batyr, with a gift — two horses, three leopard skins, five lynx skins, one black slave, and also handed over a letter. Catherine accepted the gifts, read the batyr's letter, and granted him 600 rubles in silver, Abdrahman received 100 rubles, and Shergazy 25 rubles in silver. In those times, this was a large sum of money. The envoys were given a response letter written on behalf of the empress, stating that she accepted Atake-bi's proposals for friendship.
On the way back, the head of the Kyrgyz embassy fell ill and unexpectedly passed away during prayer in the Omsk mosque. His son Satynbay, who was waiting for him there, along with Shergazy, brought Abdrahman's body back to his homeland, where he was buried with due honors.
Later, Atake Batyr's initiative was continued by the Kyrgyz clans living around Issyk-Kul. Thus, the first diplomatic relations were established between the Kyrgyz and the powerful Russia.
