Nomadic Nobles: Pastoralism and Privilege in the Russian Empire

Probing the manner in which Kazakhs attained noble status Russian empire, this article explores a neglected aspect of country's social history. Recognizing that nobility is typically associated with landowning feudal order, we explore how also found application steppe. Based on diverse sources and comparison other ethnic elites, regard Kazakh ennoblement not only as way recognizing traditional nomadic aristocracy, but method creating new native elite beneficial to Russia's colonial project. We likewise propose distinctive character nomads’ pastoral lifeways differentiated from their counterparts prevented them making full use privileges. The thus nature order by interrogating its margins contemplates both possibilities limits inclusion for ethnically culturally population.