The Tatar Empire: Kazan's Muslims and the Making of Imperial Russia by Danielle Ross
Edward J. Lazzerini
Reviewed by: The Tatar Empire: Kazan's Muslims and the Making of Imperial Russia by Danielle Ross Edward J. Lazzerini (bio) Ross, ( Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2020). 276 pp., ill. Glossary. Bibliography. Index. ISBN: 978-0-253-04570-6. In this highly original examination a crucial period in history Tatars settled Volga-Ural region within Russian Empire, has provided remarkably cohesive, information-laden, well-planned discourse. Temporally, her focus ranges from mid-seventeenth century to Revolutionary Civil War years 1917 early 1920s. Most time effort, however, are concentrated on eighteenth late nineteenth centuries, which she lays out simultaneously expansive yet narrowly constructed model developments that emanate center evolution religious elite, principally ulama, who founded, managed, defined character higher schools, or madrasas, as tight-knit familial enterprise. latter was forged not isolated, individual, unrelated elements but expanding communities particular madrasa families, teachers, economic purveyors, intellectuals came dominate full extent [End Page 288] interests until decades empire, when countervailing forces began undermine eliminate their impact. identifies collective phenomenon "Machkaran Network" (P. 97), after Machkara Madrasa situated town Malmyzh, little over sixty miles Kazan. Until publication book, we knew details specific activities personalities involved remarkable turn events, what drove them, how they managed extend influence own culture with respect authority, ends sought activities. many respects, have here text requires inordinate amounts attention quite slow reading so maintain control exposed lose track either multitude principals filling its pages author's arguments. Moreover, proposes an impressive number generalizations conclusions beginning end relies upon fulfilling conceptual framework entailing three especially broad elements, each involves lengthy story unto itself: (1) Russia's expansion southward eastward allowed emergence ulama "coherent regional elite"; (2) two centuries elite developed ability acquire exercise extraordinary coreligionists; (3) "engagement settler migration, long-distance trade, orientalist compilations data, educational reform, liberal democratic politics fueled conflicts ranks among those whom authority" 12). process, region, following collapse Kazan Khanate mid-sixteenth century, moved dwelling divided, discordant, competing settlements flourishing unified community part century. Consequent necessary entire draws up plan unfolds chapter – nine all, along Introduction Conclusion. Each provides theme set themes demanding detailed pursuit, leading short-term serving close while laying some defining groundwork for subsequent ones. What novel dominant is vibrant class madrasa-based individuals whose impact society hinged families belonged. More important, defines trajectory these parties remaking madrasas complacent, largely out-of-touch institutions, much like Christian 289] monasteries, educational, intellectual, centers different character. Just West evolved during Carolingian (eighth–ninth centuries), typify very different, more open vital kind institution educated, often itinerant scholars traversing sites across Europe, creating libraries finding, gathering, copying, and...
Ab imperio