Reforming movement in the Volga Region and the Central Asia in late 19th – early 20th centuries

Abstract

The article examines the most important aspects of worldview, cultural and political life of the people of Central Asia in late 19th – early 20th centuries. The author states that many ideological concepts, which were forming at that time, were intended not only to preserve spiritual values, but also to realise the tasks of cultural emancipation, the modernization of traditional society, and the speedy elimination of the political, social and economic backwardness of the Muslim world. The article indicates that during this period renowned advocates of reformist ideas in Central Asia and other Muslim regions of the Russian Empire were famous educators and jadids (Sh. Mardzhany, S. Maksudy, A.Z. Validy, I. Gasprinskiy, M. Behbudiy, A. Fitrat etc.). At that time, in cooperation with like-minded people, they purposefully defended the vitally important interests of their nations.

Keywords

• reforming movement
• jadidizm
• traditional society
• the muslim world
• modernization
• enlightenment
• political life