Interaction of Kurdology with the Russian Empire’s Foreign Policy Towards the Ottoman Kurds

Abstract

The aim of the present research is to determine whether or not there was interaction between the Russian Empire’s policy towards Kurds and the course of Kurdology in the Russian Empire. It is accepted that discrepancies within adversarial nation-states are highlighted through differences in religion, sect, tribe, and region. Therefore, those of the knowledgeable and able, who for example speak the language of the majority nation, are called upon to create a political opposition in a rival state. For this purpose, institutions were established for confidential or open intelligence, production, and publication of information. And, the role of Kurdology in creating or highlighting differences regarding actualization of political opposition can be determined. The present article analyzes the collection of information about Kurds in the Russian Empire/RE and the effect of the Russian Empire’s policies on their formulation. From this point of view, the works in the Russian State Library with a title containing the word “Kurds” are interpreted according to year, type, and languages, taking into consideration the persons involved in their preparation. The resultant conclusion is that Kurdology in the Russian Empire is seen to have interacted with the policies of the Russian Empire.