Oirat expansion against the Kazakh Khanate in the XVII–XVIII centuries: historical overview and consequences

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the Oirat expansion against the Kazakh Khanate in the XVII–XVIII centuries, one of the most significant and dramatic periods in the history of Central Asia. The study covers the key stages of the conflict, starting with the first Oirat invasions of Kazakh lands and culminating in the form of mass migrations and demographic losses of the Kazakh population during the period of «Aktaban shubyryndy». The article examines in detail the reasons behind the aggressive policy of the Oirat rulers, including internal factors, such as the political fragmentation of the Kazakh Khanate, and external factors, such as the economic and military ambitions of the Dzungarian khans. The author pays special attention to analyzing the key battles and military campaigns that had a decisive influence on the outcome of the confrontation. The article explores the consequences of the Oirat aggression, including demographic losses, political destabilization, and the changing geopolitical balance in the region. The long-term effects of these events are also highlighted, including the formation of new interstate alliances and strategic alliances that determined the further development of Central Asia. As a result of the study, the author concludes that the Oirat expansion played a key role in the formation of the political and social structure of the region, having a profound impact on the further history of the Kazakh Khanate and its neighbors.