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Administrative Reforms in the Don Region and the Formation of the Kalmyk District within the Don Cossack’s Military Forces

Abstract

In 1820-1840, the Russian Central Government with the active support and commitment of the administration of the Don Region conducted the reform of the administrative structure of the Kalmyk nomadic territory and its governance within the Don Cossack’s Military Forces. As a result of the reform, the Kalmyk nomadic territory was transformed into the Kalmyk District which was governed by the board led by the superintendent who was appointed from the group of the senior officers by the Cossack Chieftain (Ataman). His status was the military commander of the district. Regarding the type of governing, the uluses and squadrons became equal to the Cossack villages and farmsteads. In accordance with the Provisions of 1835, Kalmyks-Cossacks were distinguished into a separate group having the same status as Cossacks had in the social structure of the Don Region population. Instead of military service they could go to work as horse herd wranglers for village or private herds. There were some changes in the social life of the Kalmyks as well. Along with clergymen, civil servants and military men, a new group of people belonging to the gentry appeared (they were offi cers and the members of their families). The reform influenced the educational system for Kalmyk children as well. They could either attend special schools for Kalmyk children or go to general educational institutions. As a result of the reform, land use was adjusted in the settlements. Kalmyks-Cossacks being mainly cattle-breeders started to use free land for agriculture. It also allowed the Kalmyk population to enter into the controlled and official system of the Don Region and contributed to its rapid transformation into the social structure of the Cossacks.

About the Author

K. Maksimov
Kalmyk Institute for Humanities of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Ph.D. of History, Head of History, Archeology and Ethnology Department


References

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Review

For citations:


Maksimov K. Administrative Reforms in the Don Region and the Formation of the Kalmyk District within the Don Cossack’s Military Forces. Oriental Studies. 2014;7(3):12-22. (In Russ.)

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ISSN 2619-0990 (Print)
ISSN 2619-1008 (Online)