Editing Kazakhstan (section)

=== Kazakh Khanate ===
{{Main|Kazakh Khanate}}

In 1465, the [[Kazakh Khanate]] emerged as a result of the dissolution of the [[Golden Horde]]. Established by [[Janibek Khan]] and [[Kerei Khan]], it continued to be ruled by the [[Turco-Mongol tradition|Turco-Mongol]] clan of Tore ([[Jochi]]d dynasty). Throughout this period, traditional [[nomad]]ic life and a livestock-based economy continued to dominate the [[steppe]]. In the 15th century, a distinct [[Kazakhs|Kazakh]] identity began to emerge among the [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] tribes. This was followed by the [[Kazakh War of Independence]], where the Khanate gained its sovereignty from the [[Shaybanids]]. The process was consolidated by the mid-16th century with the appearance of the Kazakh [[Kazakh language|language]], culture, and economy.

[[File:Жуз.svg|thumb|250px|Approximate areas occupied by the three Kazakh jüz in the early 20th century
{|
|{{legend|#ccff99|[[Junior Juz]]}}
|{{legend|#fdd99b|[[Middle Juz]]}}
|{{legend|#ffaaaa|[[Senior Juz]]}}
|}]]

Nevertheless, the region was the focus of ever-increasing disputes between the native Kazakh [[emir]]s and the neighbouring [[Persian language|Persian-speaking peoples]] to the south. At its height, the Khanate would rule parts of Central Asia and control [[Cumania]]. The Kazakh Khanate's territories would expand deep into Central Asia. By the early 17th century, the Kazakh Khanate was struggling with the impact of tribal rivalries, which had effectively divided the population into the Great, Middle and Little (or Small) hordes (''[[jüz]]''). Political disunion, tribal rivalries, and the diminishing importance of overland trade routes between east and west weakened the Kazakh Khanate. The [[Khiva Khanate]] used this opportunity and annexed the [[Mangyshlak Peninsula]]. Uzbek rule there lasted two centuries until the Russian arrival.

During the 17th century, the Kazakhs fought the [[Oirats]], a federation of western [[Mongols|Mongol]] tribes, including the [[Dzungar people|Dzungar]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kazakhstan/Cultural-life#toc73648 |title=Kazakhstan to c. AD 1700 |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=1 June 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811050147/https://www.britannica.com/place/Kazakhstan/Cultural-life#toc73648 |archive-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> The beginning of the 18th century marked the zenith of the Kazakh Khanate. During this period the Little Horde participated in the 1723–1730 [[Kazakh-Dzungar Wars|war against the Dzungar Khanate]], following their "Great Disaster" invasion of Kazakh territory. Under the leadership of [[Abul Khair Khan]], the Kazakhs won major victories over the Dzungar at the Bulanty River in 1726 and at the [[Battle of Añyraqai]] in 1729.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.economist.com/node/2282291?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227 |title=Country Briefings: Kazakhstan |newspaper=The Economist |access-date=1 June 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208113054/http://www.economist.com/node/2282291?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227 |archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>

[[Ablai Khan]] participated in the most significant battles against the Dzungar from the 1720s to the 1750s, for which he was declared a "''batyr''" ("hero") by the people. The Kazakhs suffered from the frequent raids against them by the Volga [[Kalmyks]]. The [[Kokand Khanate]] used the weakness of Kazakh jüzs after Dzungar and Kalmyk raids and conquered present Southeastern Kazakhstan, including [[Almaty]], the formal capital in the first quarter of the 19th century. The [[Emirate of Bukhara]] ruled [[Şymkent]] before the Russians gained dominance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Satubaldina |first=Assel |date=2018-01-17 |title=Şymkent – the city of medieval culture and vibrant modern lifestyle |url=https://astanatimes.com/2018/01/shymkent-the-city-of-medieval-culture-and-vibrant-modern-lifestyle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107122740/https://astanatimes.com/2018/01/shymkent-the-city-of-medieval-culture-and-vibrant-modern-lifestyle/ |archive-date=7 January 2021 |access-date=2021-01-05 |website=The Astana Times}}</ref>