The implementation of the administrative reform of 1868 in the Kazakh steppe: the fate of a family

The article which is based on previously unpublished archival documents studies an instance showing the reaction of indigenous population in the steppe regions of the Russian Empire to the implementation of the administrative reform of 1868 in the Kazakh steppe. For the first time in Russian historiography attention is paid to the fact that, although the Kazakh region had been staying within the Russian Empire for more than 100 years, profound civilizational differences were still intact between the indigenous people and Russian Imperial authorities. These differences caused difficulties for those Kazakhs who for various reasons stayed loyal to the Russian power. In case they occupied low positions in the local government they were faced with difficulties as they performed their professional duties. On the other hand, the case referred to in the article which concerns an affluent and respected Kazakh family reveals that the governmental reform had not been sufficiently worked out. Moreover, this fact demonstrates that Russian bureaucracy were not able to adequately assess the reception of these reforms by the indigenous population of the Kazakh steppe. According to the author, the difficulties with the adaptation of Kazakh society to all-imperial administrative norms were not only evident through the analysis of big social unrest, largely instigated by personal interests of their leaders, but also through detailed analysis of individual instances of misunderstanding and resistance. In the latter Russian bureaucrats appear to ignore the sentiments and customs of the people. They often resorted to common administrative measures, such as exile to far-off provinces with predominantly Russian population. In addition, Russian bureaucracy was unreasonably cruel to local low positioned population.