The Sanzhiev Chronicle: A History of Interaction between Khori Buryats and Russian Authorities

Introduction. Despite its compilation nature, the chronicle of the Khori and Aga Buryats by Rabji Sanzhiev not only serves a continuation of the chronicles by Sh.-N. Khobituev, T. Toboev, A. Ochirov — but rather proves an original work with extensive involvement of documentary texts. In this regard, in addition to the author’s views proper, readers may enjoy an impressive database of documents and sources covering the imperial Russian period of the Khori Buryats. Goals. The article attempts an analysis into the interaction of Buryats with Russian authorities described in R. Sanzhiev’s writing. Materials and methods. A critical review of the text enforced by source analysis tools proves instrumental in considering the relationship with authorities over several centuries, since R. Sanzhiev’s narrative describes a variety of historical events (facts) from the seventeenth century to the 1920s. Results. The article gives an overview of the relationship with authorities via mentions of administrative restructuring arrangements, incentives for officials, audiences, and public initiatives. The paper reveals the author included most important events in the history of Khori and Aga Buryats, including awards and commendations for officials as key mediators between the community and the Tsarist government. Particular attention is paid to land ownership, payment of taxes, military service, the right to religious practice, etc. Conclusions. The part covering the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries is most precious since it deals with some episodes unavailable in other chronicles. The identified characteristic features of the relationship with higher authorities are as follows: loyalty to the government and support for its initiatives in the form of collecting special-purpose donations and drafting certain verdicts. A most efficient method of solving complicated issues throughout the described period was submitting delegations to different authorities. The Sanzhiev Chronicle includes a wealth of material for analyzing the concept of honoring authorities, ways of accepting and rejecting decisions, and is thus a valuable source in Buryat history and culture.

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