BOKENBAI KARAULY

He was born in Orenburg oblast. In 1710 the first kurultai was held in the Karakum district and the batyr delivered a famous speech. Bokenbai took part in a campaign of Abulkhair khan against the Volgian kalmyks. He was a close friend and relative of legendary Yesset batyr, who was a commander in Abulkhair?s army. Bokenbai batyr was a supporter of an adoption by the Small zhuz of a political nationality of the Russian empire. In October, 1731 he made an oath to Russia and repeated it in October, 1740. In 1741 Bokenbai organized a campaign against the turkmens and died at the battle. Reference: Kazakhstan, National encyclopedia, vol.1