{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}} {{short description |Judges in Kazakhstan}} {{Other uses|BIY (disambiguation)}} [[Image:Kazybek bi.jpg|thumb|Giant likeness of Qazybek Biy in Karaganda, Kazakhstan]] '''Biy''' ({{langx|kk|Би, Bi}}) were elected Kazakh judges and administrators during the Kazakh Khanate era.<ref name=PHILOSOPHY>[http://www.crvp.org/book/Series03/IIIC-2/chap-2.htm Chapter II Common Law Philosophy of the Kazakhs: Potential for Democracy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102123051/http://www.crvp.org/book/Series03/IIIC-2/chap-2.htm |date=2 November 2006 }} Council for Research in Values and Philosophy</ref> Biys were below Sultans in rank.<ref name=RANK>[http://gbgm-umc.org/country_profiles/country_history.cfm?Id=60 Kazakhstan] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311093456/http://gbgm-umc.org/country_profiles/country_history.cfm?Id=60 |date=11 March 2007 }} Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church</ref> Many consider "Biy" to simply be a Kazakh variation of "Bey", though there are major differences: like, for example, the fact that "biy" is not an inheritable position.
Biys of Kazakhstan were chosen mainly based on their personal qualities. They possessed knowledge of history, the people's lives, customs and traditions, they were distinguished with their wisdom and eloquence. During the years of the strengthening of the Kazakh Khanate (XVII-XVIII centuries) and continuous wars fought with the Dzonghar Khanate, biys of three zhuzs played a major role: Senior — Töle Biy, Middle – Qazybek Biy, Junior – Äiteke Biy. They are considered to be three of the most important historical figures in Kazakh history.<ref>[http://search.globescope.com/kazakhstan/index.php?page=history Embassy of Kazakhstan - History]</ref><ref>[http://www.kazakhembus.com/index.php?mact=Calendar,m0676e,default,1&m0676ereturn_id=180&m0676edetailpage=&m0676eyear=2010&m0676emonth=6&m0676eday=30&m0676edisplay=list&m0676ereturn_link=1&m0676edetail=1&m0676elang=en_GB&m0676ereturnid=180&page=180 Embassy of Kazakhstan - History]</ref> During the years of colonialism of the Russian Empire, these professions and their practices were either weakened or stopped completely. The profession of Biys was eventually abolished by an imperial order on 25 March 1891.
The {{ill|Council of biys|kk|Билер кеңесі|ru|Совет биев}} was the highest council, a kind of senate.
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Kazakh Khanate Category:Government of Kazakhstan
{{Kazakhstan-gov-stub}} {{CAsia-hist-stub}} Category:Judges Category:Legal professions Category:Law enforcement Category:Positions of authority