khanate · Central Asia and the Steppe

Middle Juz

1718 CE – 1822 CE (approx.)

The central division of the Kazakhs, whose khan Ablai unified much of the steppe before Russia absorbed it in 1822.

Origins

After Tauke Khan's death around 1718 the Kazakh Khanate split into three hordes, with the Middle Juz holding the central and north-eastern steppe from the Syr Darya to the Irtysh. Its main tribes included the Argyn, Naiman, Kerei and Kypchak.

Rule and society

The Middle Juz fought the Dzungars, and in the 1740s its khan Abilmambet and the sultan Ablai accepted Russian protection while balancing ties with the Qing. Ablai, who became khan in 1771, defeated rivals and dominated much of the Kazakh steppe. The biy Kazybek Bi was among its noted judges and diplomats.

Decline and legacy

After Ablai's death in 1781 and the death of his son Vali Khan in 1819, Russia's Speransky reforms of 1822 abolished the khanship and organised the territory into Russian districts. Ablai's grandson Kenesary Kasymov later led a revolt against Russian rule.

Lineage

Kazakh Khanate 1465 CE – 1847 CEMiddle Juz

Connections (1)

Middle Juz was a protectorate of Russian Empire1740 CE – 1822 CE

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Cite this page

APA: The Epoch Institute. (2026). Middle Juz. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/middle-juz
MLA: “Middle Juz.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/middle-juz. Accessed .
Chicago: The Epoch Institute. “Middle Juz.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/middle-juz.
Harvard: The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Middle Juz’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/middle-juz (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻