Siege of Sairam — In 1681, the Dzungars besieged the city. background. Galdan Boshogtu Khan in 1680, he waged war against the Yarkendians. It is likely that the Dzungar ruler initiated the conflict with the Kazakhs after the capture of Yarkend, that is, in late 1680 or early 1681. These events temporarily disrupted Russian-Kazakh relations. History. In 1680–1681, Galdan Boshogtu Khan launched new campaigns in southern Kazakhstan. During this time, particularly fierce battles between the Kazakhs and the Dzungars took place over the Syr Darya city of Sayram. In 1681, the Dzungar ruler set out from the banks of the Ili River and besieged the city but failed to capture it.