COLONIAL RUSSIA’S POLICY TOWARDS ISLAM IN KAZAKHSTAN (BASED ON THE MATERIALS OF THE ORENBURG STATE ARCHIVE)

Abstract

In this paper author explore Russia’s colonial policy with regard to religion, population or Orenburg steppes on the basis of archive data. Main task of the publication is a complex research of history of Russia’s colonial policy regarding peoples in Central Asia. Steppe part of the Orenburg region was included into conquered colonial territory of Russia. This region connecting steppe routes of Kazakhs, Bashkir, Tatars and representing a strategical territory for strengthening Russian influence in Central Asia. Interesting aspects explored during review of archive data and study of the region’s history is a policy towards religious life of population. The methodology of the analysis is based on the study of archival materials in Orenburg conducted by researchers in 2010. The focus was on archival materials of the Orenburg State Archive on the situation of Kazakhs, Tatars and Bashkirs in the Russian Empire.The result of the study was the conclusion that religion was considered by the colonial administration as the main tool of trust establishment to the Russian authorities.