BOKENBAI KARAULY

BOKENBAI KARAULY (date of birth is unknown-1741) – a batyr, commander from the Tabyn tribe of the Small zhuz. He was one of batyrs and commanders of famous Abulkhair khan.

He was born in Orenburg oblast. In 1710 the first kurultai was held in the Karakum district and the batyr delivered a famous speech. Bokenbai took part in a campaign of Abulkhair khan against the Volgian kalmyks. He was a close friend and relative of legendary Yesset batyr, who was a commander in Abulkhair?s army. Bokenbai batyr was a supporter of an adoption by the Small zhuz of a political nationality of the Russian empire. In October, 1731 he made an oath to Russia and repeated it in October, 1740. In 1741 Bokenbai organized a campaign against the turkmens and died at the battle. Reference: Kazakhstan, National encyclopedia, vol.1