This book analyses the role of the mobility factor in the spread of Russian rule in Eurasia in the formative period of the rise of the Russian Empire and offers an examination of the interaction of Russian authorities with their nomadic partners.

Gulnar T. Kendirbai is Adjunct Assistant Professor of History at Columbia University, USA.

Introduction Part One: The Russian Institution of Protectorate 1. Patterns of Power and Authority 2. The Russian Politics of Ulus Part Two: Kalmyk-Russian Protectorate Relations 3. Uneasy Encounters 4. From Patronage to Protection (Protektsiia) Part Three: Placing the Qazaqs Under Russia's Protection 5. The Qazaq Junior Horde and Russia 6. The New Jungar Offensive and Its Impact 7. From Protection to Confirmation (Konfirmatsiia) Part Four: Between Russia and the Qing 8. After the Fall of the Jungars 9. The Qazaq Oath Taking Ceremony Part Five: Staying on the Imperial Fringe 10. The Establishment of the Bokei Horde 11. The Politics of Qazaq Deputations Conclusion