Rethinking Kh. Faizhanov’s Relations to A. K. Kazembek and Sh. Marjani

Abstract

This article opens the cycle of works timed to the 200th anniversary of Khusain Faizkhanov’s (1823–1866) birth and conceived to review some aspects of his life and activity. Directly this work clarifies some details of Faizkhanov’s biography and offers a corrected assessment of his interactions with such prominent scholars as A. K. Kazembek and Sh. Marjani, who played an important role in the beginning of his career. Kh. Faizkhanov’s communication with Kazembek during their stay in Kazan was not long, but resulted in productive cooperation and close contacts which continued thereafter. Kazembek was able to appreciate Faizkhanov’s thirst for knowledge and his outstanding intellectual abilities, entrusting him with responsible scientific work. It is not clear to what extent other scientists in Kazan probably influenced Faizkhanov. It should be emphasized once again that it was Faizkhanov who introduced Sh. Marjani to the circle of Kazan orientalists, and not vice versa. I draw attention to the dependence of Marjani’s historical texts from Faizkhanov’s works, which were published only at the beginning of the 21th century. Without denying the authority of Sh. Marjani as a major theologian, I propose to see his influence on Faizkhanov as overrated. New materials allow us to confirm the fact that Faizkhanov was present in St.-Petersburg at the very beginning of 1854.