Institute of Tatar Heads in Western Siberia in the 17th—19th Centuries: Formation and Evolution

Abstract

The question of the management system of servicemen Tatars in Western Siberia during the XVII-XIX centuries is considered. Particular attention is paid to the role of Tatar heads in it as a special institution that existed from the late 16th to the early 19th centuries. The functions and duties of the Tatar heads in different historical periods are considered. Historical figures who held this position during the period under consideration is identified. The activity of Kulmametevs Murzas as heads of servicemen and yasak Tatars is shown. It was revealed that the Tatar heads in the 18th century were an organic element of the traditional management of the aboriginal population, the need for which by the end of the century loses its former importance. It is shown that, in contrast to the European part of Russia, where the position of Tatar heads disappeared already in the 17th century, this institution existed in Siberia until the beginning of the 19th century. The role of the Siberian reform of 1822 as a normative basis for the elimination of the position of Tatar heads is revealed. The novelty of the research is seen in the fact that the formation, development and completion of the functioning of the institution of Tatar heads is traced in the historical retrospective. The relevance of the study is due to the poor study of the topic.

Keywords

• western siberia
• service people
• service tatars
• tatar heads
• control system