A Saber of the Kazakh Vali Khan from the Collection of the Moscow Kremlin Museums

A rare, nearly intact saber from the Moscow Kremlin Museums, originally intended for Kazakh Khan Ablai but later awarded to Vali Khan in 1782, challenges long-standing historical attributions. The weapon, crafted by Ottoman masters in the early 17th century, features intricate gilded silverwork, turquoise and jade inlays, and a blade inscribed in both Russian and Arabic. Analysis of its construction, decoration, and historical documentation reveals it as a unique symbol of Kazakh khanate power and Russian-Kazakh relations during the 18th century. Unlike previous assumptions linking it to Erali Khan (1729), records confirm its initial designation for Ablai Khan, whose refusal led to its reattribution to Vali Khan after a name change in Orenburg. This saber stands as the sole surviving example of its kind, offering invaluable insights into the political and cultural dynamics of the era.

Bobrov, L. A., & Novoselov, V. R. (2020). A Saber of the Kazakh Vali Khan from the Collection of the Moscow Kremlin Museums. Vestnik NSU. Series: History and Philology, 19(3), 87–104. https://doi.org/10.25205/1818-7919-2020-19-3-87-104