Seidyak and Uraz-Muhammad in siberian history

Abstract

Research objectives: To identify the features of the appearance and activity in the Siberian Khanate of the last Taibugid Prince Seidyak and the Kazakh tsarevich, Uraz-Muhammad. Research materials: This work was carried out on the basis of the analysis of published chronicles of various origins, the collection of chronicles of Utemish Hadji, dastans of Kadyr Ali-bek, and unpublished documents from the fund 127 (relations with Nogai Tatars) of the RGADA, the Siberian chronicle of Ivan Chereapanov, etc. Results and scientific novelty: In historical research, under the influence of various editions of the so-called “Siberian chronicles”, there has emerged a traditional concept of Prince Seidyak’s activity as that of one of the main opponents of the Siberian Khan Kuchum. However, the late nature and inconsistency of these chronicles in relation to each other and some documents that are contemporary to the events make it possible to construct a different concept of the events of 1585–1588 in Siberia. Brought up at the court of the sayyid most likely associated with the tariqa Naqshbanidiya, the descendant of the Siberian princes appeared in Siberia no earlier than the middle of 1585. It is doubtful that the Bukhara Sayyids and merchants who were associated with them, being interested in local furs and havkng invested a lot of effort in the Islamization of the khanate, could send a legitimate khan to the north. The theory about the need to expand support for Kuchum by various groups, including those loyal to the princely dynasty, looks more realistic. This explains the participation of Saydiak in the division of Ermak’s property, and the absence of direct conflicts with the khan, with the exception of taking Isker from his son, Ali, who had a rather strained relationship with his father and brother. At the same time, the Bukhara leaders could remind Kuchum that they had the option of a political alternative. Almost at the same time, the grandson of the Kazakh khan, Shigai Uraz-Muhammad, whose father Ondan died during another Kazakh-Kalmyk clash, could appear in Siberia. Ondan had supported his father and brother Tavvakul, including in the conclusion of a Kazakh-Bukhara union. Judging by indirect references, the ruling family was also associated with one of the Bukhara tariqas. The reasons for sending Uraz-Muhammad and his family to Siberia are presented inconsistently in the literature due to the lack of sources on this issue. They also ended up initially at the court of Khan Kuchum where part of Ondan’s family had settled. After the capture of Isker, the tsarevich, along with the Siberian carp who joined him, found themselves in Isker, where they strengthened the Seidyak. The attempt to build the concept of a real “triumvirate” made up of Prince Seidyak, Tsarevich Uraz-Muhammad, and Siberia’s Karachi as an alternative political center to Khan Kuchum and his sons at the moment looks groundless due to the lack of information about their activities between the capture of Isker and the Russian captivity in 1588. Even if they had some political ambitions, they did not demonstrate them in any way.