Kazakh Bais and Their Role in the Development of Society in the Late 19th and Early 20th centuries

Abstract

This study examines the social profile of bais in Kazakh society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, considering their property, social characteristics, and legal status. The authors identify the forms and features of entrepreneurial activity and provide a detailed analysis of the economic and socio-political activities of the bais, and reveal their role in the development of culture and charity through patronage and assistance to the needy. The authors demonstrate the diverse forms of entrepreneurship in animal husbandry, agriculture, various trades, and industries related to the processing of agricultural products, and they summarize the significance of major economic changes associated with the sharply increased activity of private capital. Thus, studying the social status of Kazakh bais in the late 19th and early 20th centuries is essential for understanding the class structure of Kazakh society of that period, the processes of social stratification, and the influence of the bais on the political and economic life of the region. This helps analyze how the colonial policy of the Russian Empire contributed to heightened social tension and how the old ruling class managed to preserve its position amid growing changes.