The political crisis in Bashkiria in 1724-1728

Abstract

In historical literature there is still no clear idea of the reasons that prompted the Russian government to satisfy the main claims of the Bashkirs in 1728. The uprising of 1704-1711 that preceded the events ended in a truce and the resumption of Russian citizenship for the Bashkirs. However, the changes in the system of government expected by the Bashkirs were not implemented. The Ufa province remained under the jurisdiction of the Kazan authorities, and the Bashkirs were forbidden to appeal directly to the supreme authority. In 1724, the Bashkir subjects were subject to a poll tax and a poll tax was extended to them. The Bashkirs regarded all these measures as a violation of the previous agreement and interference in the affairs of Bashkir self-government. From the winter of 1724, the Russian administration received reliable information about the preparation of an uprising throughout Bashkiria. Since 1723, the Bashkirs have been trying to create a military alliance with the Kalmyks and the Kuban Sultan Bakhty-Girey. After the death of Khan Ayuka, the Bashkir leaders come to an agreement with Donduk-Ombo. The Russian authorities knew all the contacts of the Bashkirs, but not their details. A joint uprising of the Kalmyks and Bashkirs was expected in the summer of 1728. However, on February 19, 1728, the Bashkirs turned to the government with a request to renew the traditional privilege - an appeal directly to the supreme authority. As a result, the mission of Yarkei Yanchurin followed to the capital, which ended with the satisfaction of all the main requests of the Bashkir people.