Alikhan Bukeikhanov. Leader of the Nation

156 years have passed since the birth of Alikhan Bukeikhanov, a statesman and a public speaker, leader of Kazakh intellectual elite at the beginning of the 20th century, the central figure of the Kazakh national liberation movement and the founder of the Alash party. One of his most famous quotes states, “As long as I am alive, I will not stop serving the Kazakhs.” These words did not contradict his deeds, since Bukeikhanov devoted his whole life to serving the Kazakh people.

Alikhan Bukeikhanov was born on March 5, 1866 in the seventh village of the Tokyrauyn volost in Karkaralinsky district of the former Semipalatinsk region. He owes his origin to the Tore family, which directly descended from Zhoshy, the eldest son of Genghis Khan. 

Tursyn Zhurtbay, the historian, gave the following definition of the five principles according to which, in Bukeikhanov’s opinion, the state should be built.

The first principle is that Alash must become a national-democratic state. There is no Motherland without a land or territory. 

The second principle is that all the wealth which is above the land, on the land and under the land first of all should serve for the Kazakh people.

The third principle,  according to Bukeikhanov 's plan, “a handful of wool produced on the Kazakh land should be worn as clothing on the Kazakh citizens.”

The fourth principle is that the national language, religion and mentality should be dominant in the Kazakh state.

The fifth principle, the most basic, is to create a national democratic state based on science, law based on national traditions.

Based on these principles, Alikhan Bukeikhanov founded the first political organization in Kazakh history—the Alash party. Later, in December 1917, Kurultai of all Kazakhs  declared the Alash autonomy, and Bukeikhanov was elected the first Chairman of the first Kazakh Republic. Life of the great son of the Great Steppe became the historical and cultural heritage of the whole country.

Author: Moldir Adamzhan