Mausoleum-complex of Esset batyr Kokiuly

Type of monument: Sacral object

Date of the monument: 1667-1749

Location: Aktobe region, Alginsky district, 3 km east of the village Bestamak

Research: Historical documents about the famous Kazakh hero Esset Kokiuly are kept in the Orenburg regional state archive, the Central state archive in St.Petersburg, Central state military archive in Moscow, Central state archive in Almaty and Tashkent. The name of batyr can be found in the diaries of the Russian ambassador and officer Tevkelev, Neplyuev’s notes, and also in verbal folklore and arts and crafts.

The scholar and historian Zakratdin Baidosov, who researched the life activity of Eset Batyr, having analyzed data on the life of the hero from the Orenburg central state archive, points out that “in 1690 Esset batyr at the age of 23 years was the leader of the subfamily line Torym of Tama family clan”. Scientists divide the life activity of Esset batyr Kokiuly into two stages. The first period is from 1690 to 1710. During this period, the batyr fights an army of Volga Kalmyks, led by Ayuka, fighting for the independence of the Kazakh land.

 The second period is the fight for the freedom of the Kazakh people against the Dzungar invaders. Esset batyr after the famous years of the Great Disaster “Aktaban shubyryndy”, as part of the united forces participated in the battle of Bulanty, which dealt the first crushing blow to the Dzungars and thus contributed to the Great Victory, which raised the spirit of the oppressed people. And in Anrakai battle, which was a historic turning point, he, as part of the militia of Junior Juz, was the hero who raised the banner. On July 3, 1743 by decree of the Russian tsar, he was given the title of tarhan.

Brief description: The memorial complex of Esset batyr Kokiuly was built in 1992 on the site of the destroyed mausoleum. On the territory of the necropolis there are also burial mounds of VI-V centuries BC, stone fences with kulpytas gravestones of the XIX century, and a house for pilgrims. The mausoleum is built of shell rock brought from Mangistau area, and the outside it is lined with shell rock slabs. People consider Esset batyr a saint, and the flow of pilgrims coming here increases every day.