Baktygerey Akhmetuly Kulmanov

Baktygerey Akhmetuly Kulmanov

Baktygerey Akhmetuly Kulmanov was a prominent Alash public figure, a member of the Alashorda government, a deputy of the First and Second State Dumas, an orientalist, and one of the first Candidates of Sciences. He was of noble descent, tracing his lineage from Abulkhair – Nuraly – Sultan Yesim.

From 1872 to 1881, he studied for nine years at the Orenburg Boys’ Gymnasium, becoming one of the first Kazakhs to graduate from it and receiving a silver medal. In 1881, he enrolled in the Faculty of Law at Saint Petersburg University. He studied in the first year for three consecutive years until December 1883, remaining voluntarily at his own request. The university administration did not allow him to remain for a fourth year, so in January 1884 he transferred to the Faculty of Oriental Languages, graduating on March 9, 1889, with Diploma No. 877.

He received excellent marks in Arabic, Persian, Ottoman, Tatar languages, and Russian lexicography. By decision of the University Council on September 17, 1888, he was deemed worthy of the academic degree of Candidate of Sciences.

After graduation, he returned to his homeland and from 1889 served as the administrator of the Kamysh-Samar district under the Astrakhan Governor. While serving as administrator, he opened schools and worked to increase the number of medical stations. In 1901, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bukey Horde, he led a delegation of Bukey Kazakhs to an audience with the Russian Emperor and delivered an address on behalf of the delegation.

From July 22, 1903, to September 1906, he served as a counselor to the Provisional Council of the Bukey Horde. He retired in 1906.

In 1907, Kulmanov was elected as a deputy to the Second State Duma. His election for two consecutive terms testifies to his high authority among the people.