The wife of peasant Bulat is killed by soldiers, his son Asfan is carried off. Bulat stays alone with another son, Asma. 15 years after Bulat and Asma joined the Pugachev rebellion and Bulat became famous as a defender of paupers.
The wife of peasant Bulat is murdered by soldiers, his son Asfan is taken captive. Bulat remains alone with another son, Asma. Fifteen years later, Bulat and Asma join the Pugachev uprising and Bulat gains notoriety as a champion of the poor.