Töle Biy

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Töle Biy Älibekūly, also known as Töle Bi, was the head biy of the Kazakh senior juz and a respected author, orator, poet and statesman. He was born around 1663 in the Köktuma Tract (now in the Shu District, Jambyl Region) and died in 1756 in Aqburkhan-orda (now Tole Bi District, South Kazakhstan Region). He belonged to the Dulat tribe, Zhanys subtribe, and was the son of Alibek Biy.

Töle Biy was famed for his deep knowledge and wisdom. He was closely connected with Ablai Khan, and their conversations are reflected in folk poetry, including the Sabalaq poem. Töle Biy even nicknamed Ablai “Sabalaq” for his hair and appearance, signaling Ablai’s bright future. He was respected as a reliable and wise leader, with many proverbs and sayings attributed to him.

In 1740, fleeing the Dzungar invasion, he and his family sought refuge with Abd al-Karim Biy of the Kokand Khanate. The Dzungar leader Galdan Tseren demanded Töle Biy be handed over, but Abd al-Karim Biy refused. After the death of Zholbarys, Khan of the Senior juz, Töle Biy ruled Tashkent for six years, from 1743 to 1749. He also contributed to building public facilities in Shymkent, Turkistan and Tashkent.

Among people he is known as “Karlygash Äulie” (Swallow Saint) or “Karlygash Bi,” and there is a legend explaining this name. Töle Biy was buried in the Shaikhantaur Cemetery in Tashkent, near the mausoleum of Yunus Khan, the maternal grandfather of Babur, and a mausoleum was built over his grave.

His legacy has been celebrated by poets, storytellers and scholars. Russian researchers and Kazakh writers have noted his wisdom and influence, and many works discuss his life. A settlement in Jambyl Region bears his name, and a district in Turkistan Region is named after him. Monuments to Töle Biy exist in the Jambyl, Turkistan and Astana regions, and streets named after him can be found in Almaty, Shymkent and other towns.