Besqaru refers to the complete set of traditional Kazakh combat weapons. In traditional Kazakh culture, the five categories of a warrior’s weapons included ranged weapons (bow and arrows), thrusting weapons (spear and lance), cutting weapons (sword, sabre, and sapy), striking weapons (club and mace), and chopping weapons (axe, battle-axe known as aibalta, and shakan).
These five categories of weapons emerged in nomadic society during the first millennium CE and remained in use until the 19th century.
Based on the distinctive ways each weapon was used, specialized military units were formed, including spearmen, swordsmen, warriors armed with battle-axes, and archers. These units played an important role in the military tactics employed during battles.
Nomadic warfare often began with archers shooting at the enemy from a distance. The warriors then attacked weakened enemy forces with spears, followed by close combat using swords, battle-axes, and clubs. When the balance of power turned against them, they used fighting withdrawal tactics. While retreating on horseback, they would turn back and shoot arrows at their pursuers, inflicting further losses on the enemy.
