Kazakh–Kalmyk War (1723–1726)

Kazakh–Kalmyk war of 1723—1726, or Western Front, Northern Campaigns, was a military conflict between the Kazakh and Kalmyk khanates, and one of the main theatres of the Kazakh–Oirat War.

Prelude

In February–March 1723, Dzungar commanders suddenly attacked the Kazakh nomadic camps of the Senior and Middle Jüzes, concentrating their main forces along a wide front — from the upper reaches of the Irtysh river to the Chu and Talas rivers. The attack occurred during a difficult season for the Kazakhs — the time of livestock lambing and the transition to spring pastures. The uluses were in their wintering areas and scattered, and therefore were unable to organize resistance. The Kazakhs of the Senior and part of the Middle Jüz crossed the Syr Darya river above the mouth of the Chirchik and retreated toward Samarkand and Bukhara. The Junior Jüz crossed the Syr Darya in its middle reaches and fled to Khiva, as well as north and northwest toward the borders of the Russian Empire — to the territories of the Yaik Cossacks, Bashkirs, and Kalmyks.

Cause of war

Amid the military successes in Jetisu and the Syrdarya region, the Dzungar khuntaiji Tsewang Rabtan intended to conclude a military alliance with the Kalmyk ruler Ayuka against the Kazakh Jüzes. In coordination with the Dzungar leader, Ayuka planned to launch military operations in the Southern Ural, employing Kalmyk cavalry. However, the Kazakh khan Abulkhair, having timely uncovered the alliance of the Oirat leaders, formed mobile detachments and in the summer of 1723 advanced from the middle Syr Darya toward the Volga–Yaik interfluve.

War

Kazakh offensive (July–December 1723)

In mid-July 1723, Ayuka sent his envoy Kuzytush to Abulkhair Khan to negotiate peace.