Medieval manuscripts in Arabic and Persian are among the main sources covering the period of state, ethnic formation of the history of Kazakhstan. These manuscripts deal in detail with the issues of political, spiritual and socio-ethnic development of the Kazakh Khanate. This article analyzes the state and problems of modern study of medieval manuscripts in Arabic and Persian. We assume that currently in the Russian historical science, the category of the main tasks of studying manuscripts includes work on electronic storage and high-quality translation of manuscripts. The work on cataloging and digitizing manuscripts continues in libraries and special centers. In this context, we pay special attention to the work of special research centers organized in recent years. A number of issues arise in the translation of manuscripts into Kazakh and source analysis.

We understand the importance of training and stimulating specialists in Arabic and Persian for the future results of this direction. During the years of independence, work has been intensively carried out to bring medieval manuscripts related to the history of Kazakhstan from the funds of the states of the far and near abroad to our country. Scientific projects have been funded by the State on this issue and corresponding results have been achieved. From our point of view, now the category of tasks consists of attempts at correct historiographical analysis and comprehension of the achieved scientific heritage.