The Muslim Question and Russian Imperial Governance (Indiana-Michigan Series in Russian and East European Studies)

From the time of the Crimean War through the fall of the Tsar, the question of what to do about the Russian empire's large Muslim population was a highly contested issue among educated Russians both inside and outside the government. As formulated in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Muslim Question comprised a complex set of ideas and concerns that centered on the problems of reimagining and governing the tremendously diverse Russian empire in the face of the challenges presented by the modernizing world. Basing her analysis on extensive research in archival and primary sources, Elena I. Campbell reconstructs the issues, debates, and personalities that shaped the development of Russian policies toward the empire's Muslims and the impact of the Muslim Question on the modernizing path that Russia would follow. "A major contribution to the history of nationality, religious identity, and governance in late imperial Russia." —William G. Rosenberg, coauthor of Processing the Past From the time of the Crimean War through the fall of the Tsar, the question of what to do about the Russian empire's large Muslim population was a highly contested issue among educated Russians both inside and outside the government. As formulated in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Muslim Question comprised a complex set of ideas and concerns that centered on the problems of reimagining and governing the tremendously diverse Russian empire in the face of the challenges presented by the modernizing world. Basing her analysis on extensive research in archival and primary sources, Elena I. Campbell reconstructs the issues, debates, and personalities that shaped the development of Russian policies toward the empire's Muslims and the impact of the Muslim Question on the modernizing path that Russia would follow. "Readable, original, and endlessly interesting, Campbell's book deserves the very highest praise." — Journal of Islamic Studies "Campbell's book shows how profound official Islamophobia paradoxically led to the preservation of earlier confessional structures, grudging non-interference with the spiritual and social life of most Muslim communities, a restraining hand on the actions (if not the rhetoric) of Orthodox missionaries, and a certain uneasy toleration." — Slavonic and East European Review "A major contribution to the understanding of Russia's 'Muslim Question'—past and present . . . Recommended." — Choice From The Time Of The Crimean War Through The Fall Of The Tsar, The Question Of What To Do Qbout The Russian Empire's Large Muslim Population Was A Highly Contested Issue Among Educated Russians Both Inside And Outside The Government. As Formulated In The 19th And Early 20th Centuries, The Muslim Question Comprised A Complex Set Of Ideas And Concerns That Centered On The Problems Of Reimagining And Governing The Diverse Russian Empire In The Modernizing World. Basing Her Analysis On Extensive Research In Archival And Primary Sources, Elena I Campbell Reconstructs The Issues, Debates, And Personalities That Shaped The Development Of Russian Policies Toward The Empire's Muslims And The Impact Of The Muslim Question On The Modernizing Path That Russia Would Follow. --back Cover. Understanding The Muslim Question And Its Changing Contexts --the Emergence Of The Muslimn Question. The Crimean War And Its Aftermath: The Question Of Muslim Loyalty And Alienation -- The Challenges Of Apostasy To Islam -- What Do We Need From Muslims? Combating Ignorance, Alienation, And Tatarization -- In Asia We Come As Masters: The Challenge Of The Civilizing Mission In Turkestan -- Dilemmas Of Regulation And Rapprochment: The Problem Of Muslim Religious Institutions -- The Muslim Question During The Era Of Mass Politics. Challenges Of Revolution And Reform -- The Muslim Question In The Aftermath Of The Revolution -- Solving The Muslim Question -- World War I -- Could The Muslim Question Have Been Solved? Elena I. Campbell. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 265-290) And Index. Text In English. Introduction: Understanding the "Muslim Question" and Its Changing Contexts Part I. The Emergence of the Muslim Question 1. The Crimean War and Its Aftermath: The Question of Muslim Loyalty and Alienation 2. The Challenges of Apostasy to Islam 3. "What do we need from Muslims?" Combating Ignorance, Alienation, and Tatarization 4. "In Asia we come as Masters:" The Challenge of the Civilizing Mission in Turkestan 5. Dilemmas of Regulation and Rapprochement: The Problem of Muslim Religious Institutions Part II. The Muslim Question during the Era of Mass Politics 6. Challenges of Revolution and Reform 7. The Muslim Question in the Aftermath of the Revolution 8. "Solving" the Muslim Question 9. World War I Conclusion: Could the Muslim Question Have Been Solved? Notes Bibliography Index Basing her analysis on extensive research in archival and primary sources, the author reconstructs the issues, debates, and personalities that shaped the development of Russian policies toward the empire's Muslims and the impact of the Muslim Question on the modernizing path that Russia would follow.