KAZAN-TATAR SCHOOL OF TURKOLOGY: FORMATION AND CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENCE

Abstract

This article is devoted to the study of the formation and development of Turkological scholarship in Kazan, which has long been recognized as one of the key centers of Turkological research. The study seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of the contributions of Kazan-based scholars to the study of Turkic languages, literature, culture, and history, with particular emphasis on the interplay of scholarly traditions and the construction of national identity. Central to the discussion are the works of prominent figures of the Kazan-Tatar Turkological school, including Kayum Nasyiri, V. V. Radlov, and A. N. Samoylovich. Special attention is given to contemporary lines of research that continue the traditions established by their predecessors. The author underscores the significance of the Kazan-Tatar Turkological school as a unique cultural and scholarly phenomenon that has influenced the development of Turkology both within Russia and beyond its borders. The analysis conducted enables the identification of the historical preconditions for the emergence of this school, traces its evolution throughout the 18th to 20th centuries, and evaluates its impact on the current state of Turkological studies. The findings presented are of relevance to scholars in the humanities and contribute to the further advancement of Turkological research. The article also attempts to examine the works of well-known scholars engaged in the study of Eastern topics, including those working within the Turkological field. The scope of the research extends beyond the framework of Kazan University. It is noted that in order to govern a multiethnic state populated by numerous Turkic-Tatar peoples—and to implement imperial, missionary-assimilatory, and colonial policies—it was essential to possess knowledge of the languages, cultures, customs, and histories of the subject ethnic groups and neighboring countries. In this context, the formation and development of the Kazan-Tatar Turkological school acquires particular significance, becoming an important component of Russian Oriental studies. The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the establishment of this scholarly tradition, its academic lineage, and its contributions to the field of Turkology. The relevance of the topic in the present context is emphasized, highlighting the necessity for its continued investigation and reflection within the framework of the humanities.