Zhelezin

Zhelezin lies on the Irtysh, where the river curves through the steppe of northeastern Kazakhstan. A Russian fort was founded here in 1717 as part of the line of posts along the river. It stood on a high promontory above the floodplain and took its name from a stream entering the Irtysh nearby.

The fort was expanded in 1733 into a six-sided work with two bastions, giving its garrison a stronger position on the river. It was expanded, and its position connected it with other fortified places along the Irtysh. An exchange yard and customs post served trade across the frontier, while the river itself carried traffic between the settlements. The surrounding steppe remained a wider world of movement and pastoral life beyond the fortified banks.