Turkestan and the Fate of the Russian Empire (Central Asian Studies) - Softcover

Brower, Daniel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415558891 ISBN 13: 9780415558891

Publisher: Routledge, 2009

Synopsis

The central argument of this book is that the half-century of Russian rule in Central Asia was shaped by traditions of authoritarian rule, by Russian national interests, and by a civic reform agenda that brought to Turkestan the principles that informed Alexander II's reform policies. This civilizing mission sought to lay the foundations for a rejuvenated, 'modern' empire, unified by imperial citizenship, patriotism, and a shared secular culture. Evidence for Brower's thesis is drawn from major archives in Uzbekistan and Russia. Use of these records permitted him to develop the first interpretation, either in Russian or Western literature, of Russian colonialism in Turkestan that draws on the extensive archival evidence of policy-making, imperial objectives, and relations with subject peoples.

About this title

Review:

"[T]his study proves extremely valuable in exposing administrative agendas and complications that affected not just the faraway colony, but the core itself, in late Imperial Russia."-"The Russian Review, Jeff Sahadeo "Brower's portrayal of the important colonial figures...is the most valuable contribution of the book....An original study."-"Central Eurasian Studies Review "This book is a welcome addition to the recent excellent studies of the non-Christian peoples of the Russian empire....Those unfamiliar with the history of the Russian Turkestan will find this a good and highly readable book."-"Slavic Review

About the Author:

Daniel Brower ia a Professor of History at the University of California - Davis. His research has centred on the social and political history of the Russian Empire.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0415558891
• ISBN 13: 9780415558891
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 238