Introduction. The history of the Sart Kalmyks in Przhevalsky Uyezd of Semirechenskaya Oblast — referred to as Kalmyks, Qara Kalmyks, Olets, Sart Kalmyks — remains understudied. Goals. The study seeks to reveal the history of emergence and strengthening of Kalmyks in the Semirechye Region from the late 15th century to the collapse of the Dzungar Khanate — and further to their return to Semirechye after the Dungan Revolt in Ghulja and annexation of the territory by the Russian Empire. Materials and methods. The article employs both general scientific and specific historical research methods, including that of source studies. The work analyzes materials from central archives of Russia and Kazakhstan, a main emphasis be laid on the correspondence between uyezd, oblast executives — and the administrative office of Russian Turkestan regarding the arrival of Kalmyks in the Semirechye Region and related supporting arrangements. Results. Kalmyks had started inhabiting Semirechye in the late 16th and 17th centuries as subjects of the Dzungar Khanate. The final resettlement of those Kalmyks to the Russian Empire took place in the 1960s–1890s after the Dungan (Taranchi) Revolt. The Russian administration facilitated the arrival of Kalmyks in Semirechenskaya Oblast and rendered them material assistance. The documents reveal what role the Kalmyks played in the structure of China’s border troops, their main occupations. However, after the restoration of Chinese power in Ghulja the bulk of the Kalmyks returned to China, only a small group remained to be referred to by Russian officials as ‘Sart Kalmaks’ and settled in Issyk-Kul (Przhevalsky) Uyezd. Conclusions. In the late 19th century, Sart Kalmyks founded the villages of Chelpek and Ber-Bash in Przhevalsky Uyezd and continued to maintain their traditional economies.

Introduction. The history of British Raj’s foreign economic activity development at the turn of the 20th century remains somewhat understudied both in Russian and foreign historiography. Since the 1880s, India significantly increased foreign trade to become Asia’s leader in this regard. Goals. The paper aims at examining dynamics of India’s export-import operations and foreign trade by countries. Materials and methods. The article analyzes reports and accounts of Russian diplomats to have worked in British Raj, the Near East, and Great Britain. The employed research methods include the historical/genetic, comparative historical, and historical/typological ones. Results. Britain had been India’s dominating trading partner. However, gradually other states also increased trade operations with the latter, especially import ones. The paper emphasizes Russia failed to become a key foreign trade partner of British Raj (except for export of kerosene and import of tea). The identified reasons are contentious British-Russian relations in Central Asia in the 1860s–1890s, poor knowledge of the Indian market, and geographical remoteness. British Raj turned an outpost of Great Britain’s economic strength in the Persian Gulf. At the same time, Indian goods displaced products from other countries — including Britain manufactured ones — in many ports of the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula. The article stresses that the bulk of India’s foreign economic relations were maintained via maritime transport. This was due to complicated natural and climatic factors along land borders, instability in frontiers (Afghanistan and Persia). Nonetheless, British Raj was increasing its economic presence in Afghanistan, Persia, Nepal, Ceylon, Siam, and western provinces of China. An important place in India’s foreign trade was occupied by transit trade and re-export of goods from other states, which makes it difficult to accurately determine the actual volume of its foreign trade. Conclusions. The specifics of India’s national economic development can thus be traced in the structure of its foreign trade. The exports were dominated by raw materials and foodstuffs; manufactured products were only making their way to foreign markets. The difficulties were largely associated with the Great Britain’s colonial policy in India since the former sought to keep using the latter as a market for industrial products produced in the British Isles. On the eve of WW I, British Raj was building up its economic potential through strengthening its positions in world trade.

Introduction. The virgin and fallow lands campaign (1950s–1960s) resulted in most essential social changes that determined further trends of ethnocultural development in the Republic. The cultivation of virgin lands not only resolved utmost economic problems but also directly influenced Kazakhstan’s sociopolitical life. The Soviet period tended to turn a blind eye on major problematic aspects of the campaign, and the latter remained largely understudied. Goals. The article explores unclassified archival data to review the socioeconomic and political aspects of the virgin and fallow lands campaign in Kazakhstan, the reasons of crisis phenomena caused by ill-considered policies. Materials and methods. The work primarily investigates documents from the Russian State Archives of Economics, State Archive of the Russian Federation, Archive of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Central State Archive of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The system approach constitutes a basis for generalizations and analyses of collected materials, while a combination of macro and micro perspectives makes it possible to identify general and specific features in the processes examined. Results. The article uses a wide range of sources, official documents, memoirs and letters to analyze socioeconomic and political aspects of the virgin and fallow lands cultivation. The former are supplemented with data on social problems, conflicts, and mass brawls on virgin lands. This clarifies that conflict-free status of arrangements during the virgin lands campaign was not that universal. Conclusions. Thus, the paper shows that the mass resettlement of human resources to virgin and fallow lands cultivation zones was often ill-advised and eventually led to an increase in social tensions in Kazakhstan.

Introduction. The experience of recent decades shows small countries — though characterized by relatively limited foreign policy capacity — can defend their interests through ‘soft power’. Being obviously inferior to greater powers in military, political and economic aspects, small countries seek to compensate for their vulnerability with softer methods of influence. Nowadays, Mongolia is a classic case of a small country under the influence of such great powers as Russia, China, and the United States to successfully employ soft power tools. Goals. The article aims to identify where and how Mongolia uses soft power in its foreign policy. Materials and methods. The study primarily explores Mongolia’s official documents dealing with its national security and foreign policy, international initiatives of Ulaanbaatar, statements of Mongolian executives on relations with foreign partners, media materials. The employed research methods include the comparative, narrative, and retrospective ones. Results. There are three most promising lines for soft power in contemporary Mongolia’s foreign policy. The first one is that the country presents itself as a successful young democracy in the heart of Asia capable of becoming a model for a number of other small countries in the region. The second one is the policy of de facto neutrality manifested in refusal to deploy nuclear weapons and foreign military bases in Mongolian territory, as well as the active participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Finally, the third soft power line (to be perceived as one) is Ulaanbaatar’s active promotion of its mediation role to resolve urgent problems localized in Northeast Asia. Maintaining friendly relations with virtually all Northeast Asian states, Mongolia seeks to become a platform for international negotiations similar to that of Switzerland. Conclusions. Thus, soft power for Ulaanbaatar is an important two-sided tool supposed, firstly, to accelerate international influence and, secondly, to ensure national security and sovereignty.

Introduction. Capiton I. Kostenkov was the first researcher of Tsarist Russia to have explored legal regulations dealing with land rights of Kalmyks in Kalmyk Steppe of Astrakhan Governorate. The article reviews sources mentioned in Chapter Four (‘About Land Rights of Kalmyks in Astrakhan Governorate’) of his work titled ‘Kalmyk Nomads of Astrakhan Governorate: Historical and Statistical Accounts’ (St. Petersburg, 1870). Goals. The paper aims at analyzing the mentioned chapter as a work examining land rights regulations for Kalmyks in Astrakhan Governorate prior to the 1860s. Results. The article outlines most essential provisions of the chapter and some related comments, determines key messages, lists the regulatory enactments included therein, analyzes C. Kostenkov’s viewpoints — both of a scholar and a government official — on the issues under consideration. Conclusions. The chapter contains virtually all documents contained in the Complete Collection of Laws of the Russian Empire and dealing with the pre-1860s land rights of Kalmyks in Astrakhan Governorate. It is noteworthy the former ignores the Regulations of 1825 and Statute of 1834 about the Kalmyk People’s Administration Office, which may result from those pay little attention to land issues. C. Kostenkov’s work shows a semantic evolution of the concept ‘ethnos-inhabited area’, territorial borders — towards lands rights proper. That could be explained by that the Kalmyk Khanate had tended to lose its limited sovereignty, and after the exodus of 1771 the remaining Kalmyks were being increasingly integrated into Russia’s administrative system. So, the issues of land use and tenure shifted from public (a territory) to private law (land as an economic and natural resource). The attitudes and opinions about Kalmyk history and social structure described are characteristic not only of C. Kostenkov as such but also of Russian authorities at large, e.g., the to be initiated sedentarization and economic development of Kalmyk Steppe.  

Introduction. The article introduces into scientific circulation newly discovered archival materials and analyzes actual conditions in Kalmyk Steppe of Astrakhan Governorate in the late 19th century. The issue remains topical enough, which results from its poor historiographic tradition: only a few works have been published in the modern period just to outline some fragmentary aspects. In addition, interdisciplinary, civilizational and cultural approaches are urgently needed to address this theme. Goals. The work attempts a complex characterization of Kalmyk uluses and Kalmyk society in the late 19th century. The former shall be instrumental in defining traditional features and identifying the degree of introduction of new phenomena in socioeconomic development of the region. So, the paper provides data on quite a range of aspects inherent to Kalmyk life. The chronological framework of the study (late 19th century) is well justified: the Kalmyks had spent almost 300 years within Russia’s borders, which makes it possible to determine the degree of preservation of traditional essentials and identify the influence of innovations. Materials and methods. The work employs a set of general scientific and special historical research methods. Special attention is paid to the principles of historicism and systemacity helpful in analyzing events from over 100 years ago and considering the latter in connection with other aspects of Kalmyk social life. Interdisciplinary and civilizational approaches make it possible to present objective accounts of complex processes. The mentioned documents are stored at the Russian State Historical Archive and the National Archive of Kalmykia. The former are mainly represented by consolidated annual reports of Astrakhan Governor describing actual conditions in Kalmyk Steppe — a special administrative and territorial unit of Astrakhan Governorate. Results. The paper analyzes the reports for data on territory and population of Kalmyk Steppe, economy and social structure of Kalmyk society, school and medical aid systems. It also stresses accounts of Astrakhan Kalmyks’ moral appearances by Astrakhan officials. Conclusions. The study shows that Astrakhan Kalmyks were still a traditional nomadic society at the turn of the 20th century. Their livelihood was based on extensive nomadic livestock breeding with the same species and breeds as 300 years ago, though some innovations had been perceived (occasional winter forage conservation, construction of permanent buildings in some localities). All needs of Kalmyks were fully satisfied with their own farmsteads. The innovations included attempts to engage in agricultural activities in suitable areas of Maloderbetovsky Ulus next to resettled Russian peasants, and the involvement of Kalmyk communities in market relations. 

Introduction. The article examines materials of 1920s cluster (dynamic) censuses and spring surveys of peasant farmsteads to outline the evolution of Bashkiria’s rural family (before 1922 — in Bashkiria Minor and Ufa Governorate). Goals. The work seeks to identify research possibilities of the two groups of sources in the context of historical studies of peasant family in the Bashkir ASSR. Materials and methods. The paper primarily analyzes published and archival materials — results of 1920s sample surveys of peasant households. The study employs a number of research methods, such as the statistical, descriptive, and comparative historical ones. Results. The results of spring surveys of farmsteads make it possible to delineate changes in the average size of a rural family. In particular, from 1920 to 1923 Bashkiria witnessed a sharp decrease in family size — by 0.6 people, especially in the eastern cantons of the Republic. Then, the parameter increased slightly to stay virtually static (5.1 people) to the late 1920s. As of 1926, the largest family sizes were registered in Russian farmsteads (5.4), smallest sizes — in Bashkir ones (4.8). The disastrous consequences of the Famine of 1921–1922 for the family were evidenced by the Censuses of 1920 and 1922. The two years show a significant increase in singles, small families, and a decrease in large ones. In 1920–1926, dynamic censuses in Bashkiria recorded such ‘organic’ changes in the village as splits (14.1 %), mergers (8.5), returns and repeated incorporations (13.4 %), migrations and temporary liquidations of peasant farms (36.9). These exceeded Russia’s indicators nationwide. While mainly prosperous households tended to split up, those were the poor that would merge, migrate, and even die out. The materials of 1920s sample surveys of peasant farms indicate that the majority of then villagers were poor. Conclusions. The documents show that the considered sources have a significant research potential for exploring family history in the 1920s, and may provide links between demographic and socioeconomic parameters.

Introduction. The article analyzes the coverage of the Iranian problem in the collaborationist newspapers Za rodinu (‘For Motherland’) and Novyi put’ (‘New Way’). These periodicals were published and circulated both in the Baltic and Northwest Russia during the Nazi occupation (1941–1944). The publications have never been subject to scientific inquiry before. The period witnessed a subtle diplomatic game on the ‘Iranian front’ played by Nazi Germany and aimed at winning over both Iran and Soviet peoples (including those from Transcaucasia) to its side. That policy proved so active that it was implemented even in a very remote region — Northwest Russia. Materials and methods. The work analyzes articles of the collaborationist newspapers dealing with Iranian affairs. In Russian and foreign historiography examining various aspects of Nazi propaganda during World War II this aspect has not been considered properly yet. The guiding research principles include those of objectivity, comprehensive analysis, historicism, and source criticism. Results. The article scrutinizes into Nazi Germany’s propaganda policy on Iran as a factor in the strategic struggle against the Soviet Union and Great Britain. Particular attention is paid to the propaganda affirmations used by Germany after the arrival of Soviet and British troops in Iran. Geographically, special emphasis is laid on the Near East. Nazi Russian-language propaganda in the occupied territories of Russia made significant efforts to prove depravity of the Allies of World War II. Iran and its people were treated as victims of the Soviet-British occupation and potential allies of the Third Reich.

Introduction. The deportation during the Great Patriotic War is a most tragic page in Kalmyk history. Despite numerous publications, the history of the Kalmyk exile continues to arouse research interest. Goals. The article aims to analyze the administrative-legal regime and everyday life of exiled Kalmyk settlers in 1944-1945. Materials and methods. The study explores two sets of historical sources: 1) official documents from the State Archive of the Russian Federation (collections of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs and its Fourth Special Department ), 2) private sources — memoires of former exiled settlers. The work employs systematic and interdisciplinary approaches, uses the historical legal and historical anthropological research methods. Results. Many documents attest to the harsh conditions experienced by Kalmyks in special settlement areas, adaptation difficulties, lack of necessary housing conditions, food and clothing, and other problems. At the same time, the documents narrate the desire of authorities (including NKVD bodies) to improve the situation faced by exiled settlers, solve problems of their supply and employment. The historical memory of Kalmyks contains imprints of the endured pecuniary burdens and psychological traumas, starvation and poverty, illnesses and deaths of beloved ones. However, the people retain hearty attitudes towards local residents who rendered them real help and support.

Introduction. At present, the history of domestic academic science and its individual institutions is of interest to many researchers, which is primarily due to the need to create relevant knowledge in Russia that meets modern challenges. Attempts to find (on the basis of experiences of the country’s scientific past) more suitable options for the development of fundamental science are quite understandable. Goals. The article aims to analyze the institutionalization of knowledge production in Bashkortostan and scientific activities of the Institute of History, Language and Literature (Ufa Federal Research Center of the RAS) over a century of its development in the framework of understanding the formation of Republic’s academic science and its main scientific results. Materials and methods. In addition to the available specialized literature, the work also relies on a variety of sources, such as legislative acts, records management documents, memoirs, etc. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of primary sources to obtain generalized information on the history of the creation and development of a unique academic institution in one of the key regions of Russia which rightfully became a stronghold in the shaping of a unified scientific school of Bashkir studies. Results. The formation of national humanitarian thought in Bashkortostan has become a natural process of development of domestic and world science in modern times. The era of the scientific and technological revolution, widespread intensification of political and ideological competition, including that on the world ‘Olympus’ of knowledge, required the organization of a network of scientific institutions in ethnic regions of the country. Soviet leaders clearly understood the role of the humanities in spiritual and political enlightenment and education of the people — to invest heavily in their development. The state support gave rise to the 1922 establishment of the Academic Center under the People’s Commissariat for Public Education of the Bashkir ASSR that would later become — after a series of reorganizations — an authoritative comprehensive scientific institution. Its development was influenced by interconnected doctrinal, regional, all-Union / all-Russian modernization factors, as well as a system of interpersonal and intergenerational relations in the community of the Bashkir academic humanitarian intelligentsia. Conclusions. The history of the institutionalization of Bashkortostan’s professional humanities contributes to the understanding of dialectics, theoretical, methodological and ideological aspects of the development of scientific knowledge in Russia at large, the role and significance of efforts of outstanding scientists in the spiritual life, scientific and sociocultural development of society.

Introduction. When it comes to contemporary maps of Kalmykia, one can mention those contain quite a number of symbols to denote kurgans / mounds. Goals. The study aims at examining informational values of contemporary cartographic sources it terms of localizing actual archaeological sites of the Republic. Results. The work reveals 7.860 objects strongly supposed to be kurgans, the bulk of them placed in the Ergeni Upland, Kuma-Manych Depression, and Sarpa Lowland, while a lower density observed in western parts of the region (northwest of the Stavropol Upland) with scarcest numbers delineated within the Caspian Depression. The distribution of archaeological objects on the map essentially aligns with the well-known fact that different natural and geographic zones of Kalmykia are characterized by varying densities of kurgans. Despite the maps contain not all kurgans, they do mention sizeable ones, and 1.580 of 7.860 objects have height indications. So, there is a review map with largest sites. As is known, immense kurgans are not that solitary and often serve to mark groups of smaller mounds. Conclusions. The examined cartographic materials are significant sources that may be instrumental in exploring archeological sites in future. The data obtained can be used in further expeditions and development of image interpreting methods. Such efforts shall make it possible to discover not only large monuments but also minor ones.

Introduction. The image of woman in Buryat literature had been created under the influence of Buddhist patriarchal views which led to discrimination against the former and humiliation of female nature in religious and social life. The article deals with the status of Buryat woman in The Mirror of Wisdom, a Buddhist composition authored by Ven. E.-Kh. Galshiev (1855–1915). It describes women’s spiritual paths in pre-revolutionary Buryat society and demonstrates how Buddhist values had been incorporated into their daily life to determine spiritual and social foundations. Goals. The study seeks to examine the impacts and role of women in religious and social life of Buryat society, identify the causes of prejudice against women and somewhat contradictory interpretation of female essence. Materials and methods. The work analyzes Lama Galshiev’s Mirror of Wisdom and fundamental treatises by outstanding Buddhist teachers. The main research methods are historical/philosophical and comparative analyses. The article proves topical enough due to the growing interest in gender studies as well as the need for a holistic understanding of the essence and role of woman not only in traditional but also in modern society. Results. Despite the influence of Buddhist teachings on interpretations of Buryat woman’s status is obvious, Lama Galshiev’s text contains no clear confirmation of discrimination against women or signs of oppression. There is a persistent opinion that Buryat women had been experiencing extremely difficult and rightless conditions in pre-revolutionary times, but Lama Galshiev tends to narrate a somewhat different image of woman — enjoying a certain degree of freedom and respectful enough. Conclusion. Though submissive in the Buddhist tradition, woman’s status was never questioned in traditional religious and family life. Actual conditions of a Buryat woman in pre-revolutionary society were rather determined by her personal spiritual level, marriage, childbearing functions, household keeping skills. In Buryat family not only woman sought to satisfy the needs of her husband but the latter also set himself a goal of meeting his wife’s wishes in accordance with her expectations and values.

Introduction. The article deals with the term ‘shaγata’ (Kalm шаһата) to have denoted both the matchmaking process and the young woman as bride proper. The insight into materials on wedding rites of 19th-century Kalmyks and Oirat groups of Mongolia and China attests to that the term is rather widespread in traditional communities. So, the lexeme is virtually absent in present-day Kalmyk wedding discourse. Materials and methods. The study analyzes works to have examined traditional household activities and cultural phenomena of Kalmyks related to traditional wedding rites. Special attention is paid to publications exploring ethnic ritual cultures of Southern Siberia, Mongolia, and Xinjiang (China). The employed research methods include the comparative/historical, comparative proper, and structural/functional ones. Results. The analysis of materials dealing with the term ‘shaγata’ in the Kalmyk wedding tradition makes it possible to suggest a polysemantic meaning inherent thereto. So, it served to mark a number of aspects, such as a young woman’s status of bride, emergence of a new family, introduction of the woman into the community of relatives, property relationships between the two sides of the marriage, and numbers of wedding treats. In traditional Kalmyk society, the term was closely associated with nomadic lifestyle, traditions and centuries-old worldviews of nomads. The factors to have caused its disappearance are changes in economic patterns and modes of life, transformed ritual culture of Kalmyks. 

Introduction. The article examines the Chinese written source Xiyu wenjian lu  西域闻见录 (‘Record of Things Seen and Heard in the Western Regions’) by the Manchu official Qishiyi (Chunyuan) and its data on the history and ethnography of Central Asian peoples in the mid-to-late 18th century. Goals. The work seeks to introduce new data on the history of Central Asia contained in Xiyu wenjian lu, analyze various copies and versions of the written source, and provide new information about the author of the composition. Materials and methods. The study explores the Japanese woodblock print edition of 1801 and one modern Chinese edition of 2016, translates some extracts. The work considers various works by Russian and foreign authors regarding the written source, employs the generalizing and comparative research methods, while historical/chronological analysis proves instrumental in investigating certain interesting facts from Xiyu wenjian lu. Results. The paper introduces into scientific circulation new translations of extracts from Qishiyi’s work that significantly supplement and expand data presented in the famous work of N. Ya. Bichurin (Hyacinth) titled ‘Description of Dzungaria and East Turkestan in Ancient and Present Times’. The article contains the most famous copies and versions of Xiyu wenjian lu. The biography of the author is supplemented with new facts of his life that have remained little-known to Russian-speaking researchers. Conclusions. The revealed factual materials from Xiyu wenjian lu show that the work of Manchu official Qishiyi contains original data on historical geography, socioeconomic life of Central Asian peoples, and political situation in the region. Despite its fame, Xiyu wenjian lu is to be thoroughly explored since lots of historical accounts from this source remain unexplored.

Introduction. A Tibetan version of the apocryphal Sūtra of Eight Luminous of Heaven and Earth to have been included in Gzungs-′dus and Mdo-mangs collections of minor non-canonical texts is a ritual text containing lists of various supernatural beings of Tibetan religious system. Some of these cannot be found in Chinese or Indian traditions and obviously have Tibetan pre-Buddhist roots. This version of the Sūtra serves to neutralize supernatural beings mentioned in the text via reciting their names. It is also represented by an Oirat translation made by Jaya Paṇḍita Nam-mkha′ rgya-mtsho (1599–1662). Goals. The article aims to analyze lists of supernatural beings which supposedly have Tibetan origin and differ in Tibetan and Oirat versions. Two texts — the Tibetan version from Gzungs-′dus collection and the Oirat translation by Jaya Paṇḍita Nam-mkha′ rgya-mtsho — are used as main sources. A gter-ma text of incense (Tib. bsang) offering dedicated to this Sūtra and Chapter 31 of Vaidurya-dkar po containing materials on earth lords (Tib. sa-bdag) serve as complementary sources for comparative analysis. Results. The two abovementioned versions have differences in lists of nāgas, deities and earth lords belonging to pre-Buddhist religious system. It is proposed that Jaya Paṇḍita had used some other Tibetan text of the Sūtra (now extant) which differed from the version included in Gzungs-′dus. Correspondences between some names in the Oirat translation and the gter-ma text by Nyang-ral Nyi-ma ′od-zer (Eastern Tibet) make it possible to conclude that the extant Tibetan version used by Jaya Paṇḍita could have also been composed in the same region. All names from the additional list of earth lords’ names found only in the Tibetan version of the Sūtra and missing in Oirat text can be identified through Chapter 31 of Vaidurya-dkar po, therefore the paper proposes this composition authored by sde-srid Sangs-rgyas rgya-mtsho could have also been used by compilers after the mid-to-late 17th century during long editing processes experienced by the Tibetan text of the Sūtra.

Introduction. In folklore of Mongolic peoples, well-wishes are referred to as ritual poetry. This is one of the ancient, surviving and widespread genres to have essentially preserved the idea of word magic. It has undergone some changes but still articulates benevolent messages towards future. The Mongolian ерɵɵл (derived from Mong. ерɵɵ ‘bless, wish well, greet’), Kalmyk йɵрəл (from Kalm. йɵрǝх), and Buryat үрээрнууд address family life, nature, society, state, universe to narrate the history, lifestyles, culture, and philosophy of the ethnos. The article proves topical enough since yöräls by 20th century Kalmyk poets created on the basis of folklore analogues through interactions of oral folklore art and literature remain unexplored. Goals. The study aims at identifying and clarifying the genre differentiation of Kalmyk poets’ yöräls, thematic classification, poetics of texts. Materials and methods. The paper examines folklore and literary works from newspapers of the 1930s and 1940s. The historical/functional method shows perceptions of authorial yöräls through time. A comparative approach makes it possible to trace ties between folklore analogues and literary texts, investigates traditions and innovations — both in form and in contents — of the new yöräls by Kalmyk poets. The textual analysis reveals common features and differences of folklore and literary works of this genre. Results. In newspapers of those years, the work discovers yöräls authored by Kalmyk poets to be classified as ‘shin yöräl’ (‘new well wishes’) that served to reflect actual realities. Conclusions. While ancient yöräls had a short and spatial poetic form, the new ones of S. Kalyaev, Ts. Ledzhinov, L. Indzhiev, B. Dordzhiev, Kh. Syan-Belgin, M. Khoninov, D. Kugultinov, E. Kekteev, and K. Erendzhenov tended towards larger volumes, lexical diversity, sociopolitical and ideological orientation, thus showing a connection with modernity and enriching the genre system of  Kalmyk poetry. Another scientific problem is Russian translation of the Kalmyk authors’ poetic well wishes.