Biography of Shu Ualikhanov

At birth, he was given the name Muhammad-Canafia. He was affectionately called Shokan Zeynep Shormanova, the mother of the future scientist. His childhood years took place in picturesque places - Kusmurun and Syrymbet. The ancestors of Shokan belonged to the famous Sultan family. His grandfather was Wali, the last Kazakh khan of the Middle Zhuz, officially recognized and approved by the tsarist government.

Father Shyngys was a graduate of the Omsk military school, held the post of senior Sultan in the Kokchetavsky External District. His relatives on the maternal line were no less well -known and revered people of the Bayanaul Territory - Shormanovs. According to the memoirs of close relatives, from early childhood, Shokan showed a strong craving for knowledge.

In childhood, he enthusiastically listened to historical traditions from the elders. He was allowed to be present in the conversations of the steppe bi and listen to the songs of Akynov. A significant impact on his upbringing was had a grandmother Aigan. She told him ancient Kazakh legends, traditions, parables and wise sayings. He received his first knowledge at the Syrymbet school.

Within the walls of the primary aul school, Shokan took possession of the basics of several oriental languages: Arabic, Persian and Chagatai. In the formation of his worldview, exiled Decembrists who often stayed in their house played a large role. They aroused in an inquisitive boy a genuine interest in science, literature and art. In the year, Shokan entered the Siberian Cadet Corps, which was considered at that time one of the best educational institutions of Western Siberia.

Thanks to his zeal, the desire to gain deep knowledge, he became a favorite of the cadets and teachers. He exceeded many peers with his knowledge. This was well written by his friend and fellow student G. Potanin: "In addition to the natural mind, he had other advantages for that." Shokan graduated from the cadet corps in the officer rank of cornet and began the service in the Siberian Cossack army.

Then he was appointed adjutant General Governor of Western Siberia. During his stay in Omsk, he met progressively configured representatives of the Russian intelligentsia.

He knew perfectly the researcher of Asia P. Semenov-Tyan-Shan, the poet-Petravian S. Big Friendship connected by Sh. Ualikhanov, with the exiled writer F., had the most beneficial effect on the formation of the personality of the future scientist-educator. The young scientist, having received an excellent education, began to participate in various scientific expeditions.

In the year, he accepted the proposal of Governor General of Western Siberia, Gasfort, go on a trip to Central Kazakhstan, Tarbagatay and Semirechy. In this scientific trip, Shokan Ualikhanov managed to collect samples of folklore, historical legends of Kazakhs and Kyrgyz. He is entrusted with a trip to the mysterious Kulja in order to improve the trade contacts of the two empires.

The further orientation of the scientific activity of S. Walikhanov was facilitated by acquaintance with P. Semenov-Tyan-Shan, who expressed sincere admiration for the Kazakh scientist. In the year on the recommendation of P. Semenov-Tyan-Shan, the Kazakh scientist was elected to the Russian Geographical Society. A journey to the lands of East Kazakhstan, Semirechye and Kyrgyz brought Shokan fame.

In addition, thanks to him, some options for the oldest Kyrgyz epic “Manas” have been recorded and preserved to date. In - gg. None of the Europeans managed to visit this land before Shokan Walikhanov. The tsarist government praised the scientific merits of the young Sultan. In the year in St. Petersburg, Shokan Ualikhanov is awarded the order and raised in a military rank. He is personally accepted by the Russian king Alexander II.

At this meeting, taking advantage of the situation, the scientist turned to him with a request for the best attitude of royal officials to his people. In St. Petersburg, Shokan Walikhanov works in various military and scientific institutions. He becomes the idol of Russian orphanages and diplomats, writers and poets. He is engaged in the study of oriental manuscripts.

He is invited to give lectures on the history of the East to the Russian Geographical Society. In the year, the scientist takes part in the military expedition of General Chernyaev in South Kazakhstan. But the general cruelty of the general in relation to the local population makes him and some Russian officers resign and leave the theater of military operations. The last year of his life takes place in the aul of his distant relative of the Sultan Tezek.

Here he continued to collect the historical and ethnographic materials of the Kazakhs of the senior Zhuz. A monument and a tombstone were erected on his grave, displaced from marble by the exiled Polish revolutionary Leopold Lastovsky. Scientific activity Shokan Ualikhanov made a huge contribution to the study of the history, culture of the peoples of Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

The scientific heritage of an outstanding scientist is rich and diverse. Valuable scientific sources are his works “Ablai”, “Kyrgyz genealogy”, “Note on judicial reform”, “Muslimism in the steppe”, “Traces of shamanism near the Kyrgyz” and others.Shokan left behind more sketches and paintings from the life and life of Kazakhs and other peoples of Central Asia. He was one of the first professional Kazakh artists.

Until the end of his days, S. Walikhanov remained a patriot. His works have earned worldwide recognition. Grateful descendants, as a sign of deep respect for him, called him a number of streets in the cities of Kazakhstan. Monuments were erected to him, including in the city of Omsk. Kokshetau State University bears the name of an outstanding scientist. Here, international conferences "Ualikhan readings" are held.

Shokan Walikhanov serves as a model for the imitation of modern Kazakhstani youth.