Biography

I. Childhood and Education (1890–1917)

Mustafa Shokay was born on December 25, 1890, in the winter settlement of Narshoky in the Syr-Darya province (now Kyzylorda region, Shieli district). He came from a wealthy and respected family — his father, Shokay bi, was a well-known and influential figure in the region. From a young age, Mustafa showed great curiosity and a strong desire for learning. He first studied under a village mullah, then continued his education at the Tashkent Men’s Gymnasium. In 1910, he was admitted to the Faculty of Law at the Imperial University of St. Petersburg, which he completed with distinction.

During his student years, he established ties with Russian intellectuals as well as prominent Kazakh figures such as Alikhan Bokeikhan, Akhmet Baitursynuly and Mirzhakyp Dulatuly. At this time, Mustafa developed a critical view of the Russian Empire’s national policy and embraced the idea of unity among Turkic peoples.

II. Political Struggle and the Turkestan Autonomy (1917–1918)

The February Revolution of 1917 reshaped Russia’s political landscape. Seeing this as an opportunity for national self-determination, Mustafa Shokay became actively involved in defending the autonomy of the Turkestan region. In November 1917, at the All-Muslim Congress in Kokand, the Turkestan Autonomy was proclaimed, and Shokay was elected Minister of Foreign Affairs, later becoming Prime Minister.

However, the autonomy did not last long: in February 1918 the Red Army captured Kokand and forcibly dissolved the government. Thousands of civilians were killed. Mustafa narrowly escaped and fled through Tashkent to the Caucasus. This marked the beginning of his long exile.

III. Life in Exile (1919–1941)

Between 1919 and 1921, Mustafa Shokay lived in Georgia, continuing his struggle against Soviet rule. During this period he worked closely with Georgian, Azerbaijani and Turkish intellectuals. After Georgia was occupied by Soviet forces, he and his wife Maria Gorina emigrated to Turkey, and later to France.

While living in Paris, Shokay published hundreds of articles in foreign newspapers and journals, exposing Soviet colonial policy. He founded and edited several influential periodicals:

“Yeni Turkistan” (New Turkestan) — from 1927 in Istanbul;
“Yash Turkistan” (Young Turkestan) — from 1929 to 1939 in Berlin.

Through these journals, Shokay advocated for the freedom, cultural unity and national awakening of the peoples of Turkestan. His writings emphasized issues of language, education, religion and human liberty. In 1935, he published an important book in French titled “Turkestan Under Soviet Rule.”

IV. Final Years and Death (1940–1941)

With the outbreak of World War II, Mustafa Shokay was invited by the German authorities to Berlin. He was assigned to inspect the situation of Turkic prisoners of war and to provide assistance. However, this journey became his last.

In December 1941, Mustafa Shokay died in Berlin under mysterious circumstances. Some sources claim he was poisoned, while others suggest he died of typhus. The exact cause of death remains unknown.

V. Legacy and Modern Recognition

Mustafa Shokay devoted his life to the freedom and dignity of his nation. His ideas helped shape the spiritual foundation of independence across the Turkic world. Today, schools, streets and educational institutions in Kazakhstan bear his name. Monuments to him stand in Kyzylorda and Paris. His works have been published in a 12-volume edition, and numerous documentaries and academic studies have been produced.

The life of Mustafa Shokay is a symbol of the struggle for freedom and justice.