Born: 22 May 1811, Kyrgyzstan
Died: 1 February 1907
Country most active: Kyrgyzstan
Also known as: Курманжан Датка, Datka Kurmanjan Mamatbay kyzy
Kurmanjan Datka, known as the Tsarina of Alaï or the “Queen of the South” in Kyrgyz, was a prominent figure in the history of present-day Kyrgyzstan. Born into the affluent Mungush clan near Osh in 1811, Kurmanjan rebelled against tradition at the age of 18, escaping to China to avoid an arranged marriage. Opting to remain with her father, Mambatbai, she caught the attention of local feudal leader Alimbek, her future husband. She later became the Datka, reigning over the Kirghiz people of Alaï after Alimbek’s assassination in 1862.
In 1876, as the Russian Empire annexed Alaï, Kurmanjan Datka pragmatically advocated for her people to accept Russian rule, acknowledging the futility of resistance. Amidst the subsequent unrest and sporadic attempts to resist Russian dominance, Kurmanjan’s family faced accusations of smuggling arms and killing customs officers. Remarkably, when her favored son received a death sentence, she refused to intervene, demonstrating a commitment to her people over personal interests.
In 1906, Colonel Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (future President of Finland) visited Kurmanjan Datka, capturing a photograph during his encounter. She passed away six months later, leaving behind a legacy of two sons, two daughters, 31 grandsons, 57 great-grandsons, and six great-great-grandsons. Kurmanjan Datka’s life symbolizes resilience, leadership, and a pragmatic approach in navigating the complexities of historical transitions in the Central Asian region.