Monument to Eset Batyr Kokiuly
History
Eset Kokiuly was one of the notable figures of the late 17th and first half of the 18th century, known as a batyr, military commander, biy, and tarkhan. He was born in 1667. According to genealogical accounts, he came from the Atamshal-Torym branch of the Tama clan within the Zhetyru tribal union of the Junior Zhuz. His father, Koki, was also remembered as a batyr who defended his homeland.
From a young age, Eset Batyr took part in military campaigns and distinguished himself in struggles against threats from the Volga Kalmyks and the Yaik Cossacks. By the late 17th and early 18th centuries, his influence had extended beyond his own clan, and he became one of the prominent military and political figures of the Junior Zhuz. Beginning with the Karakum Assembly of 1710, his name appears among those involved in matters of national importance. From this period until 1748, he actively participated in the political life of Kazakh society alongside Khan Abulkhair.
From 1722 onward, Eset Kokiuly is mentioned as the senior biy of the Zhetyru. Sources report his participation in battles against the Dzungars and state that during the Anyrakai battle he was among the warriors who carried the banner of the Junior Zhuz forces. His influence was visible not only in military campaigns, but also in Kazakh-Bashkir and Kazakh-Kalmyk relations, as well as in the internal political affairs of the Junior Zhuz.
On 3 July 1743, Eset Kokiuly was granted the title of tarkhan by the Russian Empire. He became one of the prominent Kazakh figures to receive this status after Shakshak Zhanibek. Researchers associate the granting of this title both with Eset Batyr’s high authority among the people and with the political interests of the Russian Empire in the Junior Zhuz.
Sources contain differing information about the year of Eset Batyr’s death. Earlier encyclopedic publications gave 1749, while later studies place his death in 1757.
The name of Eset Kokiuly occupies a special place in the historical memory of the Aktobe region. In popular tradition, he is remembered not only as a warrior, but also as a biy, tarkhan, and revered figure who served the unity of the people. The memorial complex at his burial site is also one of the significant places of historical memory in the region.
On 11 November 2017, a new monument to Eset Batyr Kokiuly was unveiled in the village of Bestamak, Alga District, to mark the 350th anniversary of his birth. The monument was financed by local entrepreneurs and created by sculptor Yerlan Pirimbetov. The unveiling ceremony formed part of a series of commemorative events dedicated to the anniversary.
Description
The monument to Eset Batyr Kokiuly is located in the village of Bestamak, Alga District, Aktobe Region, along Eset Batyr Street, near the road leading from Bestamak to the town of Alga.
The monument is set on elevated terrain and approached by a series of steps. This spatial arrangement allows the mounted figure of the batyr to be clearly visible from a distance.
Eset Kokiuly is depicted on horseback. In his right hand, the batyr holds a long spear, while in his left he carries a shield. His armour, sword, bow, and arrows complete the military image. The sculpture is cast in bronze.
The figure stands on a tall, multi-level pedestal. The pedestal is made of concrete and faced with granite slabs. A black granite plaque on the front bears the inscription “Eset Kokiuly.” The base of the pedestal measures approximately 1.95 × 4.52 metres. The total height of the monumental composition reaches 14.75 metres.
The surrounding area is landscaped. A designated place nearby allows visitors to recite the Quran and pay their respects to the batyr.
The sculptor is Yerlan Pirimbetov.
In 2020, the monument was included in the list of historical and cultural monuments of local significance as a work of monumental art.
Did You Know?
On 3 July 1743, Eset Kokiuly was granted the title of tarkhan. He became one of the well-known Kazakh figures to receive this status after Shakshak Zhanibek.
Historical information about Eset Batyr appears in archival documents held in Orenburg, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Almaty, and Tashkent. His name is also mentioned in the diaries of A. I. Tevkelev and the records of I. I. Neplyuyev.
For a long time, 1749 was considered the year of Eset Batyr’s death. Later studies proposed 1757 as the more likely date.
The monument was unveiled in 2017 to mark the 350th anniversary of the batyr’s birth. Its construction was financed by local entrepreneurs.
Interesting Facts
The historical image of Eset Batyr extends beyond his military achievements. Sources present him as the senior biy of the Zhetyru, an influential political figure of the era of Khan Abulkhair, and a person who enjoyed considerable authority among the population. The frequent appearance of his name in 18th-century written records alongside khans, sultans, and batyrs reflects the scale of his public influence.
In popular memory, Eset Batyr has also been preserved as a revered figure. A tradition developed of visiting his burial place, reciting the Quran, and paying tribute to his memory. In the oral tradition of the region, the name of Eset Batyr is also mentioned alongside Beket Ata. Such accounts are best understood primarily as expressions of popular historical memory and spiritual tradition, rather than as strictly documented historical facts.
In 2013, a small museum was established within the memorial complex at the batyr’s burial site. The museum presents information about Eset Batyr’s companions and descendants. The Aktobe Regional Museum of History and Local Lore preserves an 18th-century chainmail shirt believed to have belonged to Eset Batyr, while a replica is displayed in the museum at the memorial complex.
Thus, the 2017 monument in Bestamak, the memorial complex at the batyr’s burial site, and the museum located there together form several complementary layers of historical memory associated with Eset Kokiuly.
Why Is This Monument Important?
The monument to Eset Batyr Kokiuly commemorates a figure directly connected with the military and political history of Kazakh society in the 18th century.
Eset Kokiuly lived during one of the most difficult periods in the history of the Kazakh steppe. The Dzungar invasions, clashes with the Volga Kalmyks and the Yaik Cossacks, and the transition of relations with the Russian Empire into a new phase significantly altered the political situation in the Junior Zhuz. Under these conditions, Eset Batyr acted not only as a military commander, but also as a biy and an influential political figure.
The mounted figure of the batyr emphasises his military role. The spear, shield, armour, sword, bow, and arrows form a generalized artistic image of an 18th-century steppe warrior. The high pedestal and elevated location of the monument further strengthen the visual significance of the figure.
The placement of the monument in Bestamak also carries particular meaning. The Aktobe region contains historical sites associated with Eset Batyr, including his burial place and memorial complex, while his memory continues to be preserved in local traditions.
For this reason, the monument is not merely an artistic tribute to an individual batyr, but also a site that connects the 18th-century history of the Aktobe region with the present day.
Sources
Sagyndykova A. “Есет батырдың 350 жылдығына орай ескерткіш ашылды” // Kazinform. 11 November 2017.
“Қазақ батырларының тағдыры. Есет Көкіұлы” // History of Kazakhstan.
Darmenuly A. “Көкіұлы Есет батыр мемориалдық кешені” // DANAqaz. 2019.
