The Eurasian Journal of History (EJH) is the successor to the Journal «Bulletin of Karaganda University. Series History. Philosophy», ISSN 2518-7236 (print), ISSN 2663-5100 (online), which has been published since 1996. In 2026, the Journal was renamed and migrated to a new publishing platform while maintaining its Editorial board, Thematic focus, and Double-blind peer review process. All previously published issues are available in the Journal archive. The Eurasian Journal of History is an international, peer-reviewed open access scientific journal dedicated to the rapid publication of research results in the field of history. It publishes full-length scientific articles and reviews by authors. ISSN: 3134-9102 (print), 3134-9110 (online). The Eurasian Journal of History welcomes authors and readers from around the world. Manuscripts are accepted throughout the year in the following sections: World History, History of Kazakhstan, Archaeology and Ethnology, Historical Anthropology, Historical Regional Studies and Museology, History of International Relations, Historiography and Source Studies etc.
Academician Ye.A. Buketov Karaganda University
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Women in the System of Political Repressions in the USSR (1918–1950s): A Legal and Regulatory Analysis (Stages 1 and 2)
The article is devoted to the analysis of the Soviet legal and regulatory framework of political repressions in the 1918–1950, with a focus on the gender aspect. The study examines the key stages in the formation of Soviet repressive legislation, beginning with the first decrees of the revolutionary period and concluding with the institutionalization of repressive practices during the Stalinist era. Particular attention is paid to identifying the mechanisms through which state violence acquired a legitimized character and became a stable instrument of political governance over society. The author analyzes the main laws, codes, resolutions, and directive documents that reveal the nature and scale of repressive policies toward women. The source base of the study consists of decrees of the Council of People’s Commissars (Sovnarkom) and the All-Russian Central Executive Committee (VTsIK), resolutions of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars of the USSR, criminal and corrective labor codes, as well as departmental acts of the OGPU and NKVD, which made it possible to trace the evolution of the legal institutionalization of the repressive system. The gender approach makes it possible to identify the specific features of women’s position under Soviet repressive policies. It is shown that, despite the formally proclaimed principle of equality, women were subjected to repression both as independent targets of persecution and as members of the families of “enemies of the people”. It is emphasized that women proved to be particularly vulnerable in the context of the expansion of extrajudicial practices, administrative exile, forced labor, and collective responsibility based on family affiliation. By systematizing the existing legal framework, the author identifies five stages from 1917 to 1958, where the main criterion is the normative documents aimed at either tightening or easing repressive policies toward the female population. The article examines the legislative documents of the first two stages, covering the period from 1917 to August 1937. It has been established that during the first stage, a general legal framework of Soviet terror was formed, within which women were not yet singled out as a distinct category of victims; however, they were already incorporated into repressive practices through mechanisms of class-based and political persecution. During the second stage, in the context of collectivization, dekulakization, and the strengthening of the NKVD’s role, women increasingly became targets of repression—not only as relatives of the accused, but also as participants in social protests and as bearers of a “socially dangerous” status. In conclusion, the author argues that the legal and regulatory framework of political repressions was a crucial element of state policy aimed at institutionalizing violence, while the gender dimension of repression reflects the deep contradictions of the Soviet social and legal system
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The Role of Bukhara in the External Relations of the Qarakhanids
The annexation of Bukhara to the Qarakhanid possessions at the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries became a turning point, marking the dynasty’s entry into the international arena of the Islamic world. This paper rethinks the functional significance of this metropolis, which is viewed not merely as an administrative center, but as a complex tool for implementing the Khaganate’s external and internal strategies. Concrete facts and examples are examined here, clearly proving the above arguments. The scientific novelty of the study lies in a comprehensive analysis of how Bukhara’s economic potential and architectural appearance were converted into the dynasty’s political prestige and diplomatic influence at the regional level. An interdisciplinary approach was applied during the research, combining the historical-analytical study of Arab-Persian narrative sources (al-Narshakhi, Ibn al-Athir, al-Utbi) with numismatic and archaeological analysis. The author relies on coin minting data (gold dinars of 991–992, fels of 999), which serve as primary evidence for the legitimation of Qarakhanid power and the recording of their vassal relations with the Seljuks. The article also cites the works of English-speaking and Turkic-speaking scholars, demonstrating the versatility and objectivity of the study of this topic. The research results demonstrate that Bukhara functioned as a key economic hub of the Silk Road. It was revealed that the production and export of unique goods, such as “zandaniji” cloth, provided the state with stable trade links to Iraq and India. It is proved that Qarakhanid monumental construction (the Kalyan minaret, the Shamsabad and Juybar palaces) was representative in nature. Special attention is paid to the Rabat-i Malik site, which is identified as a “royal fortress” and a place for receiving foreign embassies, symbolizing the synthesis of steppe traditions and urban culture. The article argues for Bukhara’s role as a “point of confrontation and alliance” in multi-vector relations with the Ghaznavids, Seljuks, and Khwarazmshahs. It was established that the periods of construction and economic prosperity of the city (during the reigns of Ibrahim ibn Nasr and Arslan Khan Muhammad) directly correlated with the strengthening of the state’s foreign policy sovereignty. In conclusion, it is determined that Bukhara became a symbol of recognition in the Muslim world for the Qarakhanids. The formation of a “comprehensive economy,” combining agriculture, nomadic pastoralism, and transborder trade, turned the city into a crucial factor in the Khaganate’s viability. Strategic possession of Bukhara remained a decisive argument in the struggle for leadership in Mawarannahr until the beginning of the 13th century.
Lithuanians in the Kazakh SSR: Deportation Policy, Forced Settlement, and Rehabilitation (1940-1956)
This article examines the history of Lithuanian communities that ended up in the Kazakh SSR during the period from 1940 to 1956. Their presence on Kazakh soil predates the Stalinist deportations — a number of Lithuanian peasant families had already relocated to the steppe voluntarily under the Stolypin agrarian reforms. The forced chapter began with mass deportation operations of 1941 and continued through successive waves of 1944-1948, when tens of thousands of Lithuanian citizens were transported to Kazakhstan and placed in corrective labor camps, assigned to special settlements, or attached to collective farms in remote districts where they had no prior connection to the land. The research draws on materials from two principal archival repositories — the State Archive of the Russian Federation in Moscow and the Presidential Archive of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana — as well as published documentary collections, personal memoirs of survivors, and academic literature produced over the last thirty years by scholars working in Kazakhstan, Russia, Lithuania, and Western countries. These sources made it possible to establish more reliable figures for the total number of deportees, to identify the particular oblasts and raions to which they were directed, and to reconstruct the conditions of daily existence — including labor arrangements, food provisioning, medical care, and strategies through which displaced communities attempted to preserve elements of their cultural identity. The chronological framework encompasses six distinct periods. Special emphasis falls on three oblasts — Karaganda, Pavlodar, and East Kazakhstan — here Lithuanian deportees were settled in the greatest numbers. The study also addresses Lithuanian participation in the Kengir camp uprising of 1954 and devotes particular attention to a phenomenon that existing scholarship has largely overlooked: the remarkable solidarity demonstrated by ordinary Kazakh families, who voluntarily shared their own limited resources with deportees arriving in a condition of complete material deprivation. The methodological approach integrates four national scholarly traditions, each possessing its own archival base and analytical conventions. The findings underscore that this segment of Soviet deportation history remains insufficiently researched and that productive international cooperation — particularly between Kazakhstani and Lithuanian academic institutions — constitutes an urgent necessity for future progress in the field.
Problems of Strengthening National Identity in Kazakhstan Based on Historical and Ethnographic Values
The article examines the relevance of national identity in the era of globalization and its significance for Kazakhstan. The authors analyze the differences between the concepts of «nation» and «ethnos,» as well as the historical paths of development of the national identity of the Kazakh people. The issue of the complexity of Kazakhstan's multi-ethnic composition and the process of nation-building is raised. Furthermore, an overview of theories studying national identity is presented. The article demonstrates that national identity is a dynamic process, formed through shared beliefs, symbols, and ways of life of people. The article analyzes the differences between ethnos and nation: an ethnos is a community based on historical, cultural, and biological factors, while a nation is a structure based on political centralization and civic identity. It is concluded that the Kazakh nation, having formed as an ethnos, became state-forming, and since Kazakhstan is a multi-ethnic country, the process of nation-building is complex and relies on historical and social prerequisites. At the same time, the nation should be based on civic identity, not ethnic origin. The article also employs ethnographic, constructivist, and ethnosymbolic research methods for national identity. This study reveals the role of state policy in strengthening national identity, including the importance of language policy, cultural su pport, and the education system. The authors note that national identity is closely linked not only to historical and cultural factors but also to socio-economic conditions. Special attention is paid to the importance of maintaining a balance between global culture, arising under the influence of globalization, and local traditions. The article also examines the role of mass media, social networks, and youth in shaping national ident ity. The necessity of active participation of civil society and mutual respect and understanding between different ethnic groups for the sustainable development of national identity is emphasized. The article offers important conclusions and recommendations aimed at the future development of Kazakhstan through a comprehensive scientific analysis of issues of national identity and nation-building.
The Problem of Collectivization in Kazakhstan in Western Historiography: A Comparative Analysis of Theoretical and Methodological Approaches and Their Applicability
The article analyzes the specific features of the interpretation of the problem of collectivization in Kazakhstan in Western historiography. The main object of the study is not the reconstruction of the concrete historical course of collectivization itself, but the theoretical and methodological approaches, interpretive models, and research perspectives that have developed in Western scholarly literature on this issue. In this context, the article examines the content of the totalitarian, revisionist, and post-revisionist approaches aimed at explaining Soviet agrarian policy, their main differences, and the extent to which these approaches can be applied to materials related to Kazakhstan. The study shows that interpretations of collectivization in Western historiography have not been uniform or linear. Different research traditions explain this problem through the nature of the Soviet state, the relationship between state power and society, the character and limits of violence, the role of social agency, regional specificity, and the logic of imperial governance. In the article, these approaches are considered not as fixed historical conclusions, but as different methodological tools that make it possible to understand the problem of collectivization from several analytical perspectives. Western studies devoted to Kazakhstan make it possible to expand the historiography of collectivization beyond general Soviet models and to examine it in connection with regional specificity, the nomadic and semi- nomadic economy, sedentarization, the transformation of traditional social structures, and questions of imperial governance. Through these works, collectivization in Kazakhstan appears in Western historiography not merely as a local example of Soviet agrarian policy, but as an important regional direction that helps clarify the broader mechanisms and consequences of Soviet modernization. Drawing on historiographical analysis and a comparative approach, the article systematizes the concepts of Western authors in terms of their theoretical foundations, source base, and research emphases. This approach makes it possible to identify the advantages and limitations of each historiographical direction in explaining the problem of collectivization in Kazakhstan. At the same time, the study emphasizes that changes in the historiography of collectivization were connected not only with the emergence of new sources, but also with broader methodological searches in the study and interpretation of Soviet history. The scholarly significance of the article is determined by a systematic comparison of the main directions of Western historiography in the context of Kazakhstan and by an assessment of their methodological potential. In addition, the study aims to reveal how interpretations related to Kazakhstan have changed over time in Western scholarship: from early all-Union explanations to contemporary regional, imperial, and interdisciplinary analyses. These historiographical changes demonstrate that the problem of collectivization in Kazakhstan is gradually becoming established in Western scholarship as an independent, complex, and analytically significant object of study. As a result, the study substantiates that, within the framework of Western historiography, the interpretation of the problem of collectivization in Kazakhstan cannot rely on only one theoretical model. The most productive position is a comprehensive historiographical analysis that considers the possibilities of the totalitarian, revisionist, and post revisionist approaches in their interrelation and uses them as complementary tools for understanding the complexity of the issue.
The Genealogy of Chinggis Khan:On the Question of the Historical Source
The article is devoted to an analysis of issues related to the historical role and image of Chinggis Khan, based on scholarly literature and sources concerning his historical persona. It focuses on the conclusions regarding the composition and study of the medieval historical source conventionally known in scholarship as the “Secret History of the Mongols”. The study examines the process of the work’s integration into academic circulation, as well as the features of its translation into different languages at various stages, along with the scholarly value of different translation versions. The article also analyzes how, during the Soviet period, the works of scholars such as Boris Pankratov, Sergey Kozin, and Boris Vladimirtsov contributed to the formation of the Soviet school of Mongolian studies through a comprehensive examination of the linguistic, historical, and structural features of the text, as well as through the production of scholarly translations and commentaries. Within the Eurasian context, the everyday life and historical identity of Turkic–Mongolic tribal groups who led a nomadic lifestyle and engaged in livestock breeding and horse husbandry during the 13th–14th centuries are depicted through individual narrative fragments. In this steppe milieu, the historical source describing the birth, origins, life trajectory, and the political formation of the ruling Töre dynasty is regarded as an important material for reconstructing historical reality. The genealogy and generational continuity of the Chinggisid lineage are systematically analyzed, and kinship relations among its members are presented in a structured manner. The methodological section of the article examines data concerning the ancestors of Chinggis Khan described in the “Secret History of the Mongols” as “born from light.”Furthermore, the content of this work is compared with the historical writings of Rashid al-Din, Jāmiʿ al-Tawārīkh, and Abulgazi Bahadur Khan, Shajara-i Turk (The Genealogy of the Turks), in order to identify similarities and differences in shared narrative plots and historical motifs. These cultural and historical legacies, formed within the framework of Turkic genealogical traditions, play an important role in preserving collective historical memory and systematizing data related to individual historical figures. Historical narratives provide a basis for understanding the social relations, structures of power, and spiritual worldview of the Chinggisid era. The study scientifically addresses issues of intertextual relationships between sources, the specifics of representing historical reality, and authorial perspectives. The comparative analysis enables the authors to demonstrate the exceptional scholarly and cognitive significance of this source, positioning it as an important theoretical and methodological foundation for the analysis of historical data.
Studying the Forgotten: A Bibliometric Analysis on Minorities in the Soviet Union
This article presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of scholarly research on ethnic minorities in the Soviet Union over the period 2001–2025. The study is based on 484 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, reflecting the expansion of structured academic metadata and the increasing scholarly interest in post-Soviet studies over the past two decades. The primary aim is to identify key thematic developments, patterns of international collaboration, and the intellectual structure of this interdisciplinary research field. The analysis employs VOSviewer software and integrates several bibliometric techniques, including keyword co-occurrence analysis, co-authorship network mapping, and bibliographic coupling. The dataset was carefully cleaned and standardized using a thesaurus approach to ensure consistency in keywords and author affiliations. This methodological framework allows for a systematic visualization of relationships between research topics, authors, and countries. The results reveal four major thematic clusters that define the field: (1) migration, diaspora, and identity transformation, focusing on acculturation and integration processes; (2) state governance, nationalism, and minority rights, emphasizing language policy and ethnopolitical dynamics; (3) public health, demographic inequality, and socioeconomic outcomes, highlighting disparities in well-being and population trends; and (4) localized case studies, particularly in the Baltic region, addressing religion, education, and minority integration at the regional level. The findings demonstrate a steady increase in academic output, particularly after 2015, indicating a growing global interest in Soviet minority issues. The United States, Israel, Russia, and Germany emerge as the leading contributors, while post-Soviet countries such as Ukraine, Estonia, and Georgia show increasing research activity and integration into international academic networks. The co-authorship and bibliographic coupling analyses further reveal strong transnational collaboration patterns and shared intellectual foundations across national research communities. Overall, the study provides a systematic overview of Soviet minority research, offering new insights into its thematic composition, geographic distribution, and interdisciplinary nature. It contributes to a deeper understanding of how academic discourse on minorities has evolved and highlights key directions for future research in postSoviet and comparative studies.
Secularization Policy and the Transformation of Islam in Southern Kazakhstan (1920s–1980s)
The article is devoted to the study of state policy toward Islam in Southern Kazakhstan in the 1920s–1980s, as well as to the analysis of the characteristics of the functioning of religious practices under conditions of Soviet secularization. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to clarify the regional specificity of the interaction between the state and religion in the Soviet period, as well as to identify the factors that determined the resilience of the Islamic tradition under conditions of institutional constraints. The paper examines the evolution of the regulatory and legal framework governing the religious sphere, including the Decree “On the Separation of Church from the State and School from Church,” legislation on religious associations, as well as the provisions of the Constitutions of the USSR of 1936 and 1977. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the mechanisms for implementing state policy at the regional level and their impact on the religious life of the population. On the basis of archival materials, the study identifies the features of the functioning of Islamic practices under conditions of restricted public religious activity. It is shown that state policy was aimed at dismantling the institutional structure of Islam, including the closure of religious institutions, the restriction of religious education, and control over the activities of the clergy. At the same time, it is established that these measures were accompanied by the preservation of religious practices in unofficial forms. An analysis of archival documents indicates the widespread prevalence of life-cycle rituals, including marriage and funeral rites, as well as rituals associated with the tradition of sundet, which were performed outside official religious institutions. The existence of informal religious networks and practices that ensured the reproduction of religious tradition at the level of local communities has been identified. A comparative analysis of the cities of Southern Kazakhstan (Turkestan, Sairam, Shymkent, Arys) demonstrates differences in the nature of religious life, determined by historical and cultural characteristics and the degree of urbanization. It has been established that in cities with a developed religious tradition, a higher degree of preservation of religious practices was observed, whereas in industrial centers they predominantly assumed concealed forms. The scientific novelty of the study lies in identifying the regional differentiation of secularization processes and in specifying the mechanisms for the reproduction of Islamic practices at the level of local communities. The study clarifies the role of the family and everyday sphere, as well as informal religious networks, as key factors in the preservation of religious tradition, and also demonstrates the significance of the historical and cultural context in ensuring the resilience of religious life under conditions of institutional constraints. The results obtained make it possible to refine the understanding of the functioning of religion in Soviet society at the regional level and to identify forms of adaptation of religious life under conditions of restrictions.
Artificial intelligence and the “Coloniality of Knowledge”: Examining WesternCentric Narratives in Historical Outputs
This study examines how contemporary artificial intelligence (AI) systems reproduce Western-centric historical narratives through the concept of “the coloniality of knowledge.” Utilizing Aníbal Quijano’s theoretical framework, the research analyzes how AI-generated interpretations reflect enduring epistemic hierarchies rooted in imperial knowledge production. Specifically, the article investigates whether AI systems privilege Western historical experiences and interpretations over non-Western perspectives. The novelty of this study lies in extending the concept of the coloniality of knowledge—originally developed in the context of Latin America—to the analysis of AI-generated historical narratives, with a specific focus on Siberia and Central Asia. This research broadens the geographical and analytical scope of the concept and contributes to emerging discussions on AI bias in historical knowledge production. A qualitative comparative methodology was employed, focusing on the outputs of three AI systems—ChatGPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek—using identical prompts related to four historical figures: Yermak Timofeevich, Mikhail Skobelev, Mikhail Chernyaev, and Kenesary Kasymuly. The findings reveal consistent patterns across all examined systems, where AI-generated narratives tend to prioritize imperial actors, particularly those associated with the Russian Empire, while portraying Indigenous societies in Siberia and Central Asian political entities as secondary or reactive. Terms such as “expansion,” “conquest,” and “capture” normalize imperial violence and frame historical processes as inevitable. Moreover, AI systems frequently rely on analytical frameworks derived from Western military historiography, oversimplifying complex local socio-political systems and largely omitting Indigenous epistemologies and oral traditions. This study demonstrates that AI systems not only reproduce dominant historical narratives but also reinforce the coloniality of knowledge through discursive normalization, the privileging of imperial sources, and the marginalization of local perspectives. These patterns contribute to the persistence of epistemic hierarchies and the reproduction of asymmetrical power relations in digital knowledge production. Overall, the findings highlight the need for more inclusive, contextsensitive, and epistemologically diverse approaches to AI training in order to mitigate representational bias and promote more balanced historical narratives in the age of artificial intelligence.
Historiography of Everyday Life of Karaganda Miners: Soviet and Foreign Approaches
The article presents a comprehensive historiographical analysis of Soviet and foreign studies related to the history of the coal industry, the formation and development of the working class, and socio ― cultural processes in the mining environment. The historiography of the Soviet period is a layer of research aimed at examining industrial achievements and ideological attitudes, while issues of social adaptation, everyday practices and difficulties of everyday life have long remained out of focus. The author provides a comparative characterization of approaches to the study of the social history of the region, highlighting the key stages and methodological transformations in understanding mining life. The Soviet stage of the development of historical science was characterized by ideological determinism, which led researchers to focus on the macro―processes of industrial construction. Within the framework of this paradigm, priority attention was paid to the dynamics of labor records, the institution of socialist competition and the role of party and state leadership. Foreign historiography is analyzed in the context of the sustained interest of Western scholars in the phenomenon of Soviet industrialization, the labor movement and the social consequences of Stalin's modernization. It is noted that, despite the methodological freedom, in the works of foreign authors there is a certain shortage of local research focused directly on the Kazakh material. In conclusion, the conclusion is made about the high scientific prospects of studying Karaganda as a unique socio ― cultural space. The necessity of applying a micro ― historical approach to the analysis of the environment where migration flows, forced labor systems and the processes of formation of a specific industrial identity intersected is substantiated. The study highlights the importance of reconstructing everyday practices as a necessary condition for recreating the holistic social history of Kazakhstan.
Formation and Development of Medical Institutions in the Semirechye Oblast in the Second Half of the 19th — Early 20th Centuries
This article examines the process of the formation and development of the system of medical institutions in the Semirechye Oblast during the second half of the 19th and the early 20th centuries. Drawing upon archival materials and published sources, the study analyzes the institutional features of the emergence of healthcare within the context of the Russian Empire’s military-administrative colonization of the region. It is demonstrated that medical care initially developed within the framework of the military medical system and primarily served military units; however, its functions gradually expanded to include the civilian population. The article identifies the principal stages in the evolution of medical infrastructure, from the establishment of the first infirmaries and hospitals to the formation of a network of district reception wards, medical districts, and civilian healthcare institutions. Particular attention is paid to the administrative reforms of 1867-1868, as well as the transformations of 1882 and the legislation of 1897, which contributed to the institutionalization of medical services and the development of rural healthcare. An analysis of statistical data and archival sources reveals the key challenges in the development of the regional healthcare system, including a chronic shortage of medical personnel, limited financial resources, the weakness of inpatient facilities, and significant territorial fragmentation. It is noted that, in the context of population growth and resettlement processes, the pidemiological burden intensified, necessitating the expansion of preventive measures, particularly smallpox vaccination, as well as the training of medical assistants from among the local population. The article substantiates that the healthcare system of the Semirechye Oblast was transitional in nature, combining elements of military, Cossack, and civilian medicine. By the early 20th century, a gradual shift toward a more extensive network of medical institutions had taken place; nevertheless, its development remained constrained by structural and socio-economic factors.
Ondan “Marksman”: Kazakh Sultan of the Second Half of the XVI Century
The middle and late XVI century is an important stage in the history of the Kazakh Khanate. However, the role of individual personalities in the history of the state remains unexplored. One of the major military and political figures of that period was Sultan Ondan, the eldest son of the Kazakh khan Shigai. Despite the importance of this figure for the history of the Kazakh Khanate, there are no special studies of his biography. The purpose of this article is to reconstruct the major stages of the life of the Kazakh sultan Ondan and to highlight his role and significance in the history of the Kazakh Khanate. In the article all basic historical data about the activities of the Kazakh sultan Ondan are collected and studied. In fact, this study represents the first time in historiography that a comprehensive biography of Sultan Ondan has been reconstructed based on all available sources, which accounts for the novelty of the research. The study is based on biographical approach and historical personalistics. Ondan-sultan had a high origin, being a notable figure in the last years of the reign of khans Haknazar and Shigai. He possessed military qualities, actively participated in militarypolitical events of his time. According to sources, Ondan-sultan participated in wars with the Oirats, as well as in the war against the Tashkent ruler Baba-sultan. An important issue is his relations with the Nogai Horde. An important conclusion that can be drawn from the sources, despite their limited nature, is the significant role played by Sultan Ondan and his active participation in the major events of the history of the Kazakh Khanate during the second half of the 16th century. At the same time, it should be noted that, contrary to prevailing views in historiography, one should treat with caution data from sources that often contain contradictory information about Sultan Ondan. This article challenges the established view that this sultan died in the mid-1580s and suggests that his death occurred earlier. Furthermore, previous historiography has paid little attention to the circumstances surrounding the sultan’s death.
Emotions Encoded in the Communist Party’s Telexes about the Rise and Development of the “Solidarity” Movement in the People’s Republic of Poland, 1980–1981. The Case of Southern Podlasie
This study investigates the emotional dimension of communist governance in the Polish People’s Republic during the crisis of 1980–1981 through an analysis of internal telex correspondence produced by regional structures of the Polish United Workers’Party (PZPR) in Southern Podlasie. Drawing on archival materials from Siedlce and Biała Podlaska, it proposes an original approach that interprets bureaucratic documents as affective artefacts rather than solely informational records. The research integrates perspectives from the history of emotions, archival studies, and political anthropology. A qualitative, hermeneutic methodology is a pplied, based on semantic categorisation of key expressions, evaluative formulas, and “emotives,”allowing for the reconstruction of emotional patterns embedded in official discourse. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying inconsistencies between declarative language (e.g., stability, control) and implicit indicators of anxiety, uncertainty, and institutional strain. The analysis demonstrates that the standardised language of party communication, shaped by newspeak, functioned as a mechanism of emotional regulation and concea lment. Ritualised phrases and repetitive formulas were used to maintain an appearance of order, while simultaneously encoding fear, tension, and loss of confidence. The emergence of the “Solidarity”movement disrupted the established emotional regime of the party, confronting it with an alternative system of collective emotions grounded in dignity, solidarity, and social agency. Empirical findings reveal a dynamic process of affective transformation within the regional party apparatus. Initial reports emphasising discipline and stability gradually give way to expressions indicating growing tension, weakening control, and dependence on ce ntral authorities. By late 1980 and early 1981, the language of the documents reflects emotional exhaustion, fragmentation of internal cohesion, and a search for decisive intervention. These changes correspond with the erosion of the party’s capacity to sustain its own emotional norms and institutional identity. The study co ncludes that internal party correspondence constitutes a valuable source for examining the emotional mechanisms of authoritarian power in crisis. The identified patterns of encoded anxiety, ritualised reassurance, and eventual disintegration provide insight into the broader process of systemic decline, demonstrating that the collapse of the communist order was accompanied by a profound breakdown of its emotional foundations.
Deported Peoples in the Zhambyl Region in the 1930s–1950s: A Theoretical-Methodological and Regional Analysis
The Soviet policy of forced resettlement had a profound impact on the social, demographic, and ethnic structure of many regions of Kazakhstan. To understand the local consequences of this process, it is not sufficient to describe only the decisions of the central authorities; it is also important to examine how special settlers were placed within a specific regional environment, how they were incorporated into the labour system, what everyday difficulties they faced, and how this experience was preserved in public memory. In this context, the authors consider the Zhambyl region as an important regional space that makes it possible to reveal the local social content of forced migration policy. The article analyzes the fate of special settlers placed in the region through the prism of administrative control, economic adaptation, labour distribution, and conditions of everyday life. On the basis of documentary materials related to the Zhambyl region, the authors show that forced migration was not limited to the physical relocation of people from one territory to another; it also transformed social relations, labour discipline, and mechanisms of everyday adaptation in the new environment. The involvement of special settlers in collective farms, state farms, industrial enterprises, and cooperative structures demonstrates that they became part of the local economic system. At the same time, the authors pay attention to the consequences of deportation at the level of individual destinies and family memory. Housing shortages, problems with food supply, sanitary conditions, and material provision complicated the adaptation process of special settlers. These circumstances justify the need to study deportation not only through political and legal acts, but also through everyday experience and intergenerational memory. The materials of the Zhambyl region make it possible to specify the impact of Soviet deportation policy on local society. By analyzing regional data, the authors demonstrate the scholarly significance of studying the history of deported peoples at the intersection of political repression, forced labour, social adaptation, interethnic relations, and historical memory. This approach provides grounds for viewing the Zhambyl region not only as an administrative territory where special settlers were placed, but also as a regional environment in which the social consequences of Soviet policy became clearly visible. Therefore, the issue examined in the article is aimed at a deeper understanding of the history of deportation through local experience, human destinies, and historical continuity.
Socio-Educational Activities of Myrzagazy Espolov
The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the socio-educational activities of Myrzagazy Espolov within the context of the first quarter of the twentieth century. The relevance of the study is обусловлена the need to reassess the process of formation of the Kazakh national intelligentsia and its cultural and educational activities based on archival sources. Despite the considerable scholarly interest in the history of the Alash movement, the contribution of its individual representatives, including Myrzagazy Espolov, has so far been addressed only fragmentarily. The purpose of the study is to identify the main directions of Espolov’s socio-educational activities, to determine their evolution across different historical periods, and to analyze the interconnection between his pedagogical, social, and governmental roles. In addition, the study aims to clarify the content and specific features of his activities and to assess their historical significance. The research is based on archival materials and employs methods of historical analysis. The findings demonstrate that Espolov’s activities were multi-faceted and developed in several stages. At the initial stage, he was engaged in teaching and carried out educational work among the population, contributing to the development of national education. In 1916-1917, he took part in organizing assistance for Kazakh workers mobilized for rear labor, focusing on improving their living conditions, protecting their rights, and addressing social issues. During the Alash movement, his activities acquired a political character and were aimed at supporting national ideas and participating in national congresses. In the Soviet period, he continued his socio-educational work while combining it with service in the state structures of the Turkestan ASSR. He was involved in the activities of the Kirghiz (Kazakh) Institute of Public Education (Kirinpros), worked as a teacher, and actively participated in the Society of Enthusiasts of Kirghiz (Kazakh) Culture “Talap,” contributing to the implementation of cultural and educational initiatives. In addition, his journalistic and translation work influenced the development of public thought. The study reveals the interconnection between Espolov’s educational and organizational activities. The article highlights his contribution to the development of national education and defines his place within the Kazakh intelligentsia. The scientific novelty lies in the comprehensive analysis of his socio-educational activities and in the assessment of their historical significance based on new archival sources.
The Work «Zubdat al-Fikra» as a Source for the Study of Hülegü Ilkhan’s Life in the 1250s
Zubdat al-Fikra is one of the most significant Eastern written sources reflecting the political processes in the Middle East and Central Asia in the second half of the 13th century. This work provides a comprehensive basis for studying political and military interactions, as well as cultural connections, between the Ilkhanate, the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, the Sultanate of Rum, and the Ulus of Jochi. A distinctive feature of this source is its chronologically structured narrative and the presence of an authorial interpretation, which allows it to be regarded as a reliable source base for the study of 13th-century history. The article systematically analyzes the information contained in the source regarding the life and political activity of Hulagu Khan in the 1250s. In particular, it examines the process of his rise to power, the strategic directions of state-building, the geography of military campaigns, and their tactical characteristics. In addition, the nature and specific features of his political and military relations with the Ulus of Jochi, the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, and the Sultanate of Rum are analyzed. The study takes into account the narrative features of the source and the influence of the author’s perspective, which makes it possible to identify the interpretative dimensions of the historical text. The data from Zubdat al-Fikra are compared with other written sources, allowing for the identification of their content-specific features and source value. This comparative analysis makes it possible to assess the reliability of the information and to identify discrepancies among different accounts. Particular attention is given to the analysis of information concerning the sack of Baghdad, the fall of the Abbasid dynasty, and the formation of the Ilkhanate. In addition, the study includes a scholarly analysis of previously insufficiently examined data contained in the source. The scientific novelty of the research lies in introducing previously understudied data from Zubdat al-Fikra into scholarly circulation and in their source-critical reinterpretation within the context of the political history of Hulagu’s era. As part of the study, the source material has been translated into Kazakh for the first time, and its content-related, chronological, and interpretative features have been identified. The findings of the study make it possible to refine the chronological accuracy of data related to Hulagu Khan’s political activity and to reassess the nature of his relations with the Ulus of Jochi, the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, and the Sultanate of Rum. The results also contribute to a deeper understanding of the impact of 13th-century military campaigns on regional political structures, to a reconsideration of political processes, and to a more nuanced interpretation of transformations in the system of international relations. This, in turn, allows for a more comprehensive assessment of the place and role of the Ilkhanate within the broader context of the Islamic world and international relations.
The Scholarly Legacy of Akzhan Mashanov in Domestic Historiography
The article provides a historiographical analysis of studies devoted to the life, scholarly activity, and intellectual legacy of Akzhan Zhaksybekovich Mashanov, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, Professor, and Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR. It examines the degree to which his works have been studied in domestic scholarship, identifies the main directions in the scholarly interpretation of his legacy, and determines the range of issues that have received insufficient coverage in hist oriography. Particular attention is paid to the formation of perceptions of A. Zh. Mashanov as a prominent representative of the Kazakh national intelligentsia of the twentieth century, whose scholarly activity developed within the framework of interdisciplinary interaction between the natural sciences and the humanities. The article analyzes works on intellectual biography, personal history, and the history of Kazakhstan’s national intelligentsia, as well as specialized studies devoted specifically to Akzhan Zhaksybekovich. It establishes that, at the early stage of research, publications were dominated by descriptive-biographical and publicistic approaches, within which primary attention was given to his achievements in geology, mining, and pedagogy. At the same time, the scholar’s historical views and his studies of the ancient history of Kazakhstan, cultural heritage, the history of science, and spiritual continuity did not for a long time become the subject of independent scholarly investigation. It is shown that the subsequent expansion of the source base, the publication of previously inaccessible works, and the introduction of new materials into scholarly circulation contributed to the transition toward a more systematic level of research. The main directions in the study of A.Zh. Mashanov’s scholarly legacy are identified, including his contribution to the development of geology, mining, Farabi studies, and the study of the ancient history and ancient metallurgy of Kazakhstan, as well as interpretations of his works in the context of historical memory, national self-consciousness, and cultural continuity. It is revealed that contemporary historiography continues to preserve different approaches to evaluating his scholarly legacy: in some works, priority is given to the natural-scientific dimension; in others, to historical and cultural issues; while still others attempt to examine his works as an integral interdisciplinary system. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the systematization of the main stages in the study of A.Zh. Mashanov’s scholarly legacy and in identifying the logic of development of the historiography devoted to him. The biographical, source-based and institutional, comprehensive-biographical, and conceptual-analytical stages are defined. The least developed problems are also identified, including the relationship between the natural-scientific and historical-humanitarian components of his legacy, the connection between the scholar’s geological research and his historical generalizations, the place of his studies in the intellectual history of Kazakhstan in the second half of the twentieth century, and the influence of his views on the development of domestic historical thought. Thus, it may be concluded that, despite the considerable expansion of research devoted to A.Zh. Mashanov, his scholarly legacy has not yet received exhaustive conceptual analysis. The necessity of further study of his works is substantiated, both as an important source for the study of the history of Kazakhstani science and the role of the national intelligentsia, and for the methodological approaches of contemporary historiography.
Historical Features of the Interaction between Sharia and Customary Law Norms in Kazakh Society in the late 19th — early 20th Century
The article examines the features of the mutual influence of Sharia norms and customary law in Kazakh society in the late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century, their impact on spiritual culture, and their role in regulating social relations. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need for a scholarly understanding of the foundations of the formation of the spiritual culture of traditional society, its historical continuity, and its development paths. Based on a scientific analysis of materials introduced into scholarly circulation, the article examines the functions of customary law norms in regulating social relations, their connection with social structure, worldview values, and legal consciousness. In addition, the features of the adaptation of traditional norms to changing historical and political conditions are analyzed. The traditional norms of Kazakh customary law, formed as an integral part of nomadic civilization, played an important role in regulating social relations. They ensured the internal stability of society and served as an effective mechanism for maintaining social harmony. Along with this, customary law norms contributed to the formation of legal consciousness and ensured the continuity of spiritual values transmitted from generation to generation. In the course of the study, the content of spiritual culture formed on the basis of the interaction between customary law norms and Sharia was revealed, and their influence on public consciousness, legal practice, and everyday life was identified. The features of value orientations and cultural continuity formed as a result of this interaction are also shown. As a result of the study, it was established that the norms of customary law in Kazakh society did not contradict Sharia norms, but developed in accordance with their basic principles, while maintaining a connection with the features of nomadic civilization. Customary law played a leading role in regulating everyday life, social relations, and moral norms, whereas Sharia complemented this system in the spiritual and religious aspect. This interaction determined the specificity of legal consciousness in Kazakh society and ensured its internal integrity. It was also established that the legal traditions and norms of ancient Turkic society had a significant influence on the formation of the traditional legal system. The legal norms, structure of power, and practices of regulating social relations that developed during the Turkic period were preserved in the Kazakh system of customary law as a manifestation of historical continuity and were further developed under new historical conditions.
National Narrative in Historical Scholarship: Theoretical and Methodological Approaches and Practices of Representing the Past
The article examines the national narrative in historical scholarship as a narrative and interpretative model that explains the processes of formation and development of the state, the nation, the ethnic community, and national identity through a specific system of values. From a theoretical perspective, the national narrative is aimed at shaping national and historical consciousness, while from a practical perspective, it functions as an important instrument for constructing historical memory and public consciousness within the framework of the interests of the state and society. The study establishes that the source base and scientific methods applied in the study of the national narrative make it possible to identify the specific features of the formation of national history, identity, collective memory, and historical consciousness. The article comprehensively analyzes the theoretical foundations and practical manifestations of the national narrative, its connection with historical, political, and cultural factors, the specific features of its functioning in various countries, its reflection in the education system and the digital environment, as well as its role in shaping public consciousness. Particular attention is paid to the fact that the theoretical foundation of the national narrative is formed by the categories of national consciousness, historical consciousness, historical memory, and cultural memory. The national narrative forms a shared memory that connects the past, present, and future of the nation. In this regard, historical consciousness is considered an important condition for the philosophical reinterpretation of the past and the strengthening of the spirit of independence. The article demonstrates that the historiographical approach to the national narrative involves rethinking historical events from the standpoint of national interest on the basis of source analysis and scholarly interpretations. The national narrative is presented as a system of shared representations that shape the identity of the people, their historical experience, cultural values, and collective goals, transmitted through various forms of historical narration. In the context of contemporary Kazakhstan, the national narrative is considered as a means of preserving historical memory, strengthening the ideological foundation of the state, and interpreting the path of independence through the continuity of cultural heritage and the guidelines for future development. The study identifies the main components of the national narrative as the historical narrative, the history of statehood, key events of national history, as well as the cultural and ethnographic narrative, which includes language, traditions, worldview, and symbols. In addition, the significance of the personal dimension is emphasized, within which history is interpreted through the activities of outstanding historical figures, national heroes, and statesmen.
The 1928 Confiscation of Bai Households in Kazakhstan: Theoretical and Methodological Approaches to Studying the Social Transformation of Kazakh Society
The article examines the confiscation of bai households in Kazakhstan in 1928 as an independent historical phenomenon and as an object of theoretical and methodological analysis. The focus is placed not on the formal description of property seizure, but on revealing the social meaning of the confiscation campaign in the context of early Soviet transformation of the Kazakh aul. Under the conditions of nomadic and seminomadic pastoral economy, the bai were not merely a wealthy group. They were embedded in a system of clan, economic, labor, and patron client relations that structured authority, dependency, mutual assistance, and resource distribution within the aul. Therefore, Soviet intervention in the position of bai households affected the foundations of traditional social organization. The article argues for the need to combine several research approaches in the study of confiscation. The class approach is considered as the official Soviet explanatory scheme of the campaign and is subjected to critical analysis. The social-historical approach makes it possible to identify real social ties within the Kazakh aul; the institutional approach reveals the role of the state, law, and administrative apparatus; and the concept of social engineering helps interpret confiscation as an attempt by the Soviet authorities to classify, simplify, and restructure the complex social reality of traditional society. The article shows that the confiscation of 1928 combined legal formalization, administrative implementation, ideological justification, and social restructuring. The decree of August 27, 1928, and the instruction of August 30, 1928, gave the campaign a normative form; however, its actual significance went beyond legal regulation. Confiscation was aimed at weakening the influence of the traditional elite, dismantling previous mechanisms of local authority, transforming relations of dependency, and establishing new forms of Soviet control in the aul. Particular attention is paid to interpreting confiscation not as a secondary episode of collectivization, but as an independent political and administrative campaign. This perspective makes it possible to clarify its place in the history of early Soviet transformations in Kazakhstan. The article concludes that the confiscation of bai households became one of the first major instruments for the forced incorporation of the Kazakh aul into the Soviet system of power and administration, while its consequences were manifested in the transformation of social structure, forms of authority, local hierarchies, and relations between the state and traditional society.