Peter the Great Society for the Study of Astrakhan Region: Writings of Its Members on Kalmyk History and Culture, Last Quarter of the 19th – Early 20th Centuries

Introduction. The article investigates the ethnographic component in activities of the regional scientific society — Peter the Great Society for the Study of Astrakhan Region widely known in Russia, including due to works on the history and culture of the Kalmyk people. Goals. The study aims to delineate the image of the scientific society that became known nationwide and gave ‘food and arguments’ for public thought, which determined its significance in the Lower Volga Region’s multinational space in the mid-to-late 19th and 20th centuries. Materials and Methods. The article analyzes scientific works, collected documents from Astrakhan archives and museums to review results of diverse efforts undertaken by the Society’s members on collecting sources, interpreting them, translating the knowledge gained into public discourse. The main research methods are those of synchrony and diachrony, classification and evaluation, statistical and comparative ones. Results. The Astrakhan scientific society grew to become a most authoritative one in Russia thanks to research works of its members, facilitated the awakening of public conscience, motivated the population to start exploring their region, interacted with various social and cultural groups, administrative structures to solve urgent problems of social development. One of the brightest research areas of the Society was that dealing with the past of the Kalmyks that inhabited Astrakhan Governorate. The paper analyzes certain features of studies in the history and culture of the Kalmyks conducted by members of the Society, reveals the role and significance of their works in the formation of professional ethnography in Astrakhan Oblast, and introduces new sources into scientific circulation.

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