Shokan Valikhanov - scientist, historian, ethnographer and folklorist, traveler, educator.
Father: Chinghis Valikhanov. Mother: Zeynep Chormanova. Wife: Aysary Valikhanova.
He was born in 1835 in the fortress Kusmurun (Kushmurun). At birth he was named Muhammad-Kanapiya and his mother called him Shokan.
In private elementary school of aul Kushmurun, Shokan learned the basics of Arabic, Persian, medieval Turkic languages.
His upbringing was influenced by his grandmother Aiganym.
Since childhood Shokan was attracted to science.
Since 1847 Shokan began to study in Omsk Siberian Cadet Corpus, which was considered the best educational institution in Siberia. Much attention there was paid to the geography of Kazakhstan, as well as the history of the Kazakh people.
1853 - Shokan Valikhanov finished military school in Omsk with poet S.F. Durov.
1855 - First trip to Semirechie.
1856 - Expedition in the Semirechie and Issyk-Kul. Trip to Ghulja. Acquaintance with the scientist-explorer Semenov-Tyan-Shansky. For Outstanding Service was promoted to lieutenant.
1857 - Elected as an active member of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society. Trip to the Semirechie and Issyk-Kul to prepare an expedition to Kashgar.
1858, June 28 Looking as a merchant joined a caravan traveling from Semipalatinsk to Kashgar.
1859, April 12 - returned with a caravan to Vernyi.
1860 - In the beginning of the year came to Petersburg. Report to the Geographical Society, intensive scientific, social and literary activities.
1861, May - Returning home from St. Petersburg.
1862 – Was chosen to be Senior Sultan of Atbasar district, but has not been approved by the Governor General.
1863 - Participation in the committee to collect people's views on judicial reform.
Thus, in the years 1858-1859 Shokan went to Kashgar, which was a'' blind spot'' in European science, acquainted with the political and economic systems of East Turkestan, collected materials on the history