Oriental Studies (Apr 2018)
Cooperation between V. L. Kotvich and Ts. Zh. Zhamtsarano in Studies of Mongolian Peoples
Abstract
The article is based on little-known published and archival materials and considers the interaction between Russian scientists specializing in Mongolian studies and Buryat intellectuals. The paper describes the interaction as an important part of the discipline which appeared as a trend in Oriental studies and rapidly developed in the early 20th century. With a focus on the cooperation between Russian university professors and Buryat intellectuals, the author of the publication introduces a number of adjustments to the concepts developed in the historical literature. It is concluded hereby that the main problem one faces within the given context is that when it comes to studying the history and culture of Mongolian peoples, each of the scientists, his personal scientific heritage is considered separately; they are isolated from one another with no attention paid to the cooperation between the Orientalists which, in its turn, results in the wrong idea about the development of Mongolian studies in Russia in general as well as the contribution of certain scientists to the development of this sphere of Oriental studies. Moreover, it implicates an incorrect vision of how the scientific community evolved from among the national intellectuals and how scientific views were formed with the direct participation of native speakers, local intellectuals and researchers from Russia’s leading center of Mongolian studies. The rich epistolary heritage of V. Kotvich and Ts. Zhamtsarano confirms the importance of such cooperation. Excerpts from their letters also testify of their scientific contacts with other Russian Orientalists, such as B. Vladimirtsov, A. Rudnev, S. Oldenburg. V. Kotvich was a well-known expert in Mongolian languages and history. In 1903 the first of the two Russia’s initial Oriental Associations was set - the Russian Committee for the Exploration of Central and East Asia. Professor V. Kotvich was a member of the Committee. V. Kotvich, A. Rudnev, B. Vladimirtsov (members of the Committee) cooperated fruitfully and directed activities of the Buryat researchers Ts. Zhamsarano and B. Baraydin who also became acknowledged experts in Mongolian studies. For example, it is due to Ts. Zhamsarano’s support that V. Kotvich’s 1912 scientific trip to one of the most interesting places of Mongolia - the Orhon Valley famous for archaeological and written artifacts - became possible. The cooperation between V. Kotvich and Ts. Zhamsarano had a great impact and led to considerable scientific results.
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