Bay-Khaak was originally established under the name Verkhne-Nikolskoye by Russian farmers. By 1913, the settlement had grown to include 34 families. The establishment of the village was part of the broader Russian colonization efforts, which saw many settlers move into the region for agricultural purposes.
In 1932, Verkhne-Nikolskoye was renamed Bay-Khaak and became the administrative center of the Tandinsky District within the newly formed Tuvan People's Republic (TNR). By this time, Bay-Khaak had grown substantially, and its role as a district center marked a new era of political and economic importance for the settlement.[9]
Tuvan People's Republic and the Russian Civil War
Bay-Khaak, along with its surrounding areas, was an important location during the Russian Civil War and the early revolutionary period in Tuva. The settlement became a center for revolutionary activities in the region. In nearby Sug-Bazhy, the historic Tuvan Khural (Congress) took place in August 1921. It was here that the creation of the Tuvan People's Republic (TNR), an independent state in Central Asia, was proclaimed. This event marked a significant turning point in the region’s history, as Tuva embarked on a path towards greater autonomy, eventually aligning with the Soviet Union.[9]
Soviet era
During the Soviet era, Bay-Khaak saw substantial growth and industrial development. It became a major hub for forestry and processing industries, as well as agriculture and communications.
One of the notable figures associated with Bay-Khaak is Alexander Turgen-ool, one of the first Tuvans to be honored with the title Hero of Socialist Labor for his contributions to the agricultural sector.[9]
Modern Bay-Khaak
As of 2009, there are over 900 families and 3,200 people living in Bay-Khaak.[9]
Законодательная палата Великого Хурала Республики Тыва. Постановление №1648 ЗП-1 от 21 декабря 2005 г. «Об утверждении реестра административно-территориального деления Республики Тыва», в ред. Постановления №455 ЗП-2 от 21 ноября 2007 г «О внесении изменения в реестр административно-территориального деления Республики Тыва». Вступил в силу 21 декабря 2005 г. Опубликован: "Тувинская правда", №2, 12 января 2006 г. (Legislative Chamber of the Great Khural of the Tyva Republic. Resolution #1648 ZP-1 of December 21, 2005 On Establishing the Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Division of the Tyva Republic, as amended by the Resolution #455 ZP-2 of November 21, 2007 On Amending the Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Division of the Tyva Republic. Effective as of December 21, 2005.).
Великий Хурал (парламент) Республики Тыва. Закон №268 ВХ-1 от 24 декабря 2010 г. «О статусе муниципальных образований Республики Тыва», в ред. Закона №837 ВХ-1 от 10 октября 2011 г. «О внесении изменений в Закон Республики Тыва "О статусе муниципальных образований Республики Тыва"». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Тувинская правда", №178 (без приложений), 31 декабря 2010 г. (Great Khural (Parliament) of the Tyva Republic. Law #268 VKh-1 of December 24, 2010 On the Status of the Municipal Formations of the Tyva Republic, as amended by the Law #837 VKh-1 of October 10, 2011 On Amending the Law of the Tyva Republic "On the Status of the Municipal Formations of the Tyva Republic". Effective as of the official publication date.).