The ancient narratives and longstanding ties of the Central Asian civilization are manifested in 27 historical documents that, as a shared and common heritage, re-examine significant chapters of the region's cultural identity. This historical treasure, preserved through centuries of interactions between the nations of Iran and Kazakhstan, narrates the hidden dimensions of the "Great Steppe" history through three primary axes: "diplomatic correspondence," "historical maps," and "official reports."
In the correspondence section, the letters from Tauke Khan to Shah Sultan Husain, along with the communications between Kazakh rulers and the Qajar court in Persian, testify to the international recognition of the Kazakh Khanate and the shared cultural roots between the two nations.
Geographically, the detailed maps of the Syr Darya and Transoxiana basins, charted by Iranian scribes, illustrate the sphere of Kazakh influence with comprehensive detail. By recording trade routes and distances between cities such as Sayram, Turkestan, and Taraz to Greater Khorasan in the unit of "farsakh," these maps provide an invaluable tool for archaeologists to identify ancient settlements using original Persian and Chagatai Turkic names.
The third part of this collection consists of ethnographic and economic reports in which Iranian officials and travelers, with scientific precision, described the tribal structures and nomadic systems of the Kazakhs in the 18th century. They dispatched detailed accounts of the combat prowess and bravery of Kazakh riders to the Iranian court. Furthermore, these manuscripts record precise details of Kazakhstan's turquoise, copper, lead, and coal mines, comparing their quality with Iran's renowned mines.
From a technical perspective, these 27 manuscripts are considered masterpieces of chancery art. Written in Persian using the Nasta'liq and Shekasteh scripts, they possess immense museum value due to the presence of royal seals with artistic inscriptions and the use of handmade paper that has maintained its quality over the centuries.
The strategic importance of this heritage for Kazakhstan lies in an authentic and comprehensive re-examination of its national history. As the Kazakh government compiles its seven-volume national history, these manuscripts document that centuries ago, Kazakhstan held a pivotal and independent position within a shared cultural sphere, maintaining deep ties between its identity and luminaries such as Al-Farabi and Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.
The unveiling and donation of these historical works by Iran at the "History of the Great Steppe in Iranian Sources" exhibition in Astana (December 2025) opened a new window toward joint research. By focusing on the ancient heritage of Iran and Kazakhstan, this event demonstrated that written heritage serves as a sustainable foundation for mutual understanding between societies, providing a clearer image of the civilizational interactions of this geographic expanse for all cultural heritage enthusiasts.