In the 20s of the XIX century, the Kazakh government experienced a crisis situation. On 22 July 1822, the ‘Statute on the Siberian Kirghiz’ was introduced, which deprived the khan power of the Middle zhuz of political status, and in 1824 - the ‘Statute on the Orenburg Kirghiz’ on the territory of the Younger zhuz. The author of the ‘Statute on the Siberian Kirghiz’ was Count M.M. Speransky, a reformer of the Russian Empire and founder of the First Siberian Committee. The purpose of M. M. Speransky in the preparation of the ‘Statute’ was the final legalisation of the mineral resources of the region in the interests of the Empire by means of constant ‘improvement’ of the management of the Kazakhs of the Middle Zhuz. The introduction of a new order of governance instead of the traditional khan's authority burdened the life of the Kazakh people, the number of taxes was increased and restrictions were imposed on land, which limited the routes of nomadic Kazakhs, and in general, there were controversial issues on land use. This caused discontent among the population.

The authors of this article examine the problem from the perspective of historiographical analysis and through the prism of the source base. New facets of imperial history that were once ignored include critical methods describing the activities of the First Siberian Committee as a body created for colonial purposes. Attention is emphasised on the dire consequences for the Kazakh people.

In addition, the team of authors conducted a critical analysis of historiography and sources, in particular, the ‘Statute on the Siberian Kirghiz’, implemented under the approval and administration of the Siberian Committee, and, as a consequence, the ongoing national liberation uprisings in the territory of Saryarka. This problem began to be highlighted in the years of independence of our country. Accordingly, the activities of the Siberian Committee, which existed in 1821-1838, in fact, since 1822 were accompanied by popular protests against the reform, because they were mass, protracted and well-organised.