The first part of the publication considers the third, according to the author's classification, period of the history of the Kazakh state - the Kazakh Khanate. The use of a large number of rare sources allowed the author to move away from generally accepted historical concepts, determine the time and place of formation of the Kazakh Khanate, identify the reasons for the division of the people into zhuzes, and assess the activities of Kazakh khans. Much attention is paid to the analysis of the war with the Dzungars and its significance for the fate of the Kazakh people.