A unique historical relic has been found, in a manuscript mentioning the name of Zhalantos Bakadur (1576-1656) — a prominent military leader and revered national hero in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as reported by the head of the American company “Victorin’s Art and Auctions” Anvar Viktorin in an interview with the correspondent of Kazinform agency.
Antique and rarity expert, including Central Asia, Anvar Viktorin reported that his collection now includes an ancient 16th-century manuscript — a treatise on the basic tenets of Islam, which was part of the extensive collection of the renowned Ottoman writer Mustafa Izzet.
Following examinations conducted in February 2024 by two Russian institutions: the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences” and the “International Russian-Iranian Center of RTU,” the authenticity of the book was confirmed, with an assessment stating “The presented manuscript is an undeniable historical relic and holds significant value.”
The expert report indicates that on the back of the last leaf of the manuscript, there is an impression of an almond-shaped seal with the inscription: “Imam Kuli Bakadur-khan,” indicating that the manuscript belonged to the library of the Ashtarhanid (Jani) ruler Imamkuli Khan (1582–1644), who ruled in Bukhara from 1611 to 1642. The seal is placed next to the name of Imamkuli Khan in accordance with the epistolary tradition of the khan’s chancellery. Below the seal is the name of the Emir of Samarkand, Zhalantos Bakadur, with the date 1021 (1612–1613), accompanied by an inscription highlighting his military talents and organizational skills, for which he was granted the title of emir by the Ashtarhanids ruler.
The contents of the manuscript are written in ancient Persian of the 16th century, and the name Zhalantos Bakadur, in a loose translation into Russian, sounds like Yalantush Bakadur.
It is important to note two red lines. The first is the name of Imamkuli Khan, the ruler of Bukhara. In the second red line is the name of Zhalantos Bakadur. Scholars explained that it was customary to write the khan’s name in red ink to emphasize it in all manuscripts, but interestingly, Imamkuli Khan ordered that the name of Zhalantos Bakadur also be written in red ink. This indicates that the khan considered Bakadur equal to himself and elevated him to the level of khan, meaning Zhalantos Bakadur was a full-fledged ruler throughout the khanate.
— This manuscript reveals another undisputed fact: Zhalantos Bakadur played an important role in the history of the Uzbek Bukharan Khanate. He helped Imamkuli Khan ascend to the throne, and in return, he was granted the title of Emir of Samarkand. The book describes a commendatory poem addressed to Zhalantos Batyr, — noted Anvar Viktorin.
To verify the authenticity of the inscription, chemical and technological expertise was conducted in December 2023 at the “Center for Forensic Expertise of the State Social-Humanitarian University” and the State Budgetary Institution of Culture “Moscow Museum of Modern Art,” confirming that the inks used and linen fibers of the paper pages correspond to materials used in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
To this day, there remains an unofficial historical debate about the ethnic affiliation of the renowned batyr.
Thus, Zhalantos Bakadur has garnered significant interest from the Uzbek side.
Earlier this year, a large-scale historical film about the great military leader Bakadur Khan was released in Uzbekistan, with its presentation already taking place.
In Kazakhstan, Zhalantos Bakadur is also considered a national hero. Monuments to him have been erected in Kyzylorda, Aktobe, and the Turkestan region.
— Why is this manuscript of interest to Kazakhstan? Because Zhalantos Bakadur was an ethnic Kazakh, the native brother of grandfather Aiteke Bi from the Alshyn Mladshy zhuz clan, originally from modern Kyzylorda, — noted Anvar Viktorin.
Specialists and scholars believe that Zhalantos Bakadur migrated to the territory of the Bukharan Empire, as 400 years ago there was no clear distinction between ethnic groups, and there were tribal alliances within various khanates.
— Zhalantos Bakadur was an ethnic Kazakh, a Kazakh batyr, who engraved his name for centuries as a ruler and military leader during his service to the Bukharan Khanate. Therefore, he is undoubtedly a historical hero of our two nations, — concluded Anvar Viktorin.
It is known that Zhalantos Bakadur defended the Bukharan Khanate and also provided assistance and protection to the Kazakhs in the war against the Dzungars in 1643 and 1646.
Thus, the discovered relic confirms the historical importance of Zhalantos Bakadur, who contributed to the unity of the peoples of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in the distant times of our ancestors.
