Early 20th Century Research Articles

Exploring the cultural and social significance of R.K. Narayan's ‘Malgudi Days’

The literary and social significance of R.K. Narayan's famous work "Malgudi Days" is investigated in this research. Through an examination of selected tales, many significant themes emerge, such as the tension between tradition and modernization, the value of family and community, the aspiration for upward social mobility, the intricacy of religious beliefs, and Narayan's deft use of satire and irony. These topics provide for a comprehensive analysis of Indian life in the early 20th century. The social structure's complexities and tensions are also brought to light. The research concludes that the ever-present tension between modernity and tradition in India may be better understood via Narayan's humorous and nuanced depictions of Indian customs. The findings emphasize the need of thoroughly studying cultural and social norms, as has been done in previous research on Narayan's impact on Indian writing. The purpose of this research is to bring attention to the enduring social and cultural relevance of "Malgudi Days," shedding light on Narayan's literary brilliance and the implications this has for understanding the intricate web of Indian culture and society.

Women Empowerment in India

Women's empowerment is a contentious issue. Women enjoyed equal status and power to men throughout the earlier Stone Age period. However, during the post-Vedic and epic times, they began to have certain challenges. History demonstrates that women were frequently treated like slaves. The standing of women has been progressively shifting from the early 20th century (national movement), and the British people are to thank for this. It is only after the Independence of India, under the able leadership of Dr. Ambedkhar , the constitutional makers and national leaders started strongly demanding and also reiterating the equal social position of women with men. it is good to learn that a few number of women have been able to establish their potentialities. Therefore, this paper suggests that each and every human being should be careful in taking steps to promote the statuses of women and respect their dignity

Pathways to Modernity: Ottoman Reforms Before and During the Tanzimat

This study analyses the modernisation efforts within the Ottoman Empire during the pre-Tanzimat and Tanzimat periods, examining the intricate balance between Westernisation and genuine modernisation strategies. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Ottoman Empire faced significant military, economic, and administrative challenges, prompting a decisive shift towards comprehensive reforms in socio-cultural, military, and administrative domains. These profound reforms were primarily driven by the imperative to address the empire's perceived backwardness in comparison to Europe and to safeguard its territorial integrity. During the Tanzimat period (1839-1876), the Empire undertook extensive reforms in governance, fiscal policies, and civil rights, particularly through the Gülhane Hatt-ı Hümayunu and the Islahat Fermanı. While these reforms laid the groundwork for subsequent modernization efforts, they encountered substantial resistance from entrenched social and political structures and were subject to intense scrutiny. This article meticulously examines the inception of the Ottoman Empire's modernisation process, elucidating the Empire's strategic efforts to advance and sustain modernisation amidst the intricate balance between the influences of Western modernity and the preservation of Ottoman heritage and traditional values. Within this framework, it underscores the continuity of reforms and modernization from the late 18th century through to the Republican era.

A Sudden Epiphany

This creative work, featuring a poem and two photographs integrated into the text, details a queerrelationship in Vienna, Austria, against the backdrop of global and historical violence. In the poem, a queer couple walks in downtown Vienna, noticing how stoplights in the capital city seem to depict same-sex relationships, thereby demonstrating an acceptance that was only just legalized in 2019. Initially overjoyed, given the country’s historical legacy of intolerance (Austria was the birthplace of Adolf Hitler, early 20th century fascism, and is still well-known for its traditional and conservative values), the couple realizes that their happiness is overshadowed by the epiphany that Austria is one of the few countries to have voted against a ceasefire in Gaza. Stunned by this realization, the couple looks on at the stoplights, aghast, considering the complexities of violence in today’s social context.

Muslims of Central Asia in Siberia in the Context of State‑Confessional Policy in the second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries

The Muslim population of Siberia represented an ethnically heterogeneous community, which included Tatars, as well as immigrants from Central and Central Asia, the Caucasus and other regions. Such polyethnicity and proximity to the Asian region, as one of the centers of Muslim culture, contributed to building contacts between Muslims of Siberia and Central Asia. Expansion of the territorial borders of the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th century. and the government’s special interest in Central Asia has influenced the development of relations between the Muslim population of the two neighboring regions. The purpose of this study was to identify the main areas of interaction between the Muslim population of Siberia and Central Asia in the second half of the 19th – early 20th century, as well as to estimate the role of the state in regulating this process. Based on archival material, the author found that one of the areas of interaction of the Muslim population was organizing spiritual life. Despite the fact that the government, in an effort to extend its influence to the Asian region, provided support to the Muslim population in the second half of the 19th century, the same building codes were applied to the construction of religious buildings for Bukharans, as for all other Muslims. The closest contacts between the Muslims of Siberia and the Bukharians were built within the framework of pilgrimage trips, since often the way to Mecca for them lay through the territories of Central Asia. In addition, there were holy places in the region, which the Muslims of Siberia aspired to. This fact was of particular concern to the Government. The reforms initiated in the country aimed at limitation of the rights of the Muslim population have reduced the migration flow from the Asian region to Siberia. The government paid special attention to the missionary activities of the Russian Orthodox Church as a tool for involving Muslims of Siberia and Central Asia in the socio-cultural space of the empire.

Cossacks in the Conditions of Frontier Modernization (on the example of the Far East in the late 19th – early 20th centuries)

Historically, the contacts between the Cossacks and the Chinese population were established and their particular strengthening occurred during the construction of the Chinese-Eastern Railway between 1897 and 1903. The imperial authorities devised a plan to establish the Sungurian Cossack army, which was to be augmented by the Cossacks dispatched to protect the ‘KVZhD’. These troops were to comprise the descendants of Albazin and the local population. In the context of the present circumstances, the Cossacks in the peripheral Ussuri Territory and Manchuria served as the frontiers of the system of relations with the local Chinese and Korean populations, as well as the modernizing transformation of the region. As the most mobile and passionate segment of the population, the Cossacks played a pivotal role in the socio-economic and cultural transformation of the region. Their extensive involvement in the agrarian economy and their diverse socio-class and ethno-confessional composition contributed to the diversification of the regional mosaic. During this historical period, the Cossacks served as the driving force of the Russian exploration of the Far Eastern space. Moreover, they facilitated the militarization of the newly developed territories. The format of the study permits presenting a set of relations risen along the Center–Far Eastern Cossacks axis. The objectives of this paper is to ascertain the nature of this relationship within the system and to study the dissemination of the experience of the Cossack self-government system to neighboring regions, including the process of Japanese colonization of the island of Hokkaido. The research findings indicate the efficacy of applying the Cossack administrative and economic management experience to the Far East and Manchuria, as well as in adjacent regions, such as Hokkaido. The article is intended for Cossack specialists and sinologists.

Data Sources on the 19th and Early 20th Century German Capital Market: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract This article provides a comprehensive overview of the most important sources and data available for the German capital market, highlighting their capabilities and limitations. We focus on firm-specific information related to stock corporations and price data for the 19th and early 20th Century. By reviewing examples from existing literature, we illustrate the practical applications of these sources. We also launch a new stock index derived from the daily prices of 39 banks listed on the Berlin Stock Exchange, demonstrating the potential of price data for market analysis.

The Changing Ideals of ‘Individual Creativity & Traits in Bauhaus’ Preliminary Course

The Bauhaus school, founded in the early 20th century by Walter Gropius, became a leading institution for art, design, and architectural education. Gropius' vision emphasized abolishing the distinctions between different branches of art & design, and between artists & craftsmen. This holistic approach was encapsulated also in the school's curriculum, which sought to integrate arts, crafts, and industry. Central to Bauhaus education was the Preliminary Course (Vorkurs), which was compulsory for all students regardless of their discipline. This course laid the foundation for further education and was known for its inclusivity and the influence of several unconventional and innovative masters, including Johannes Itten, László Moholy-Nagy, and Josef Albers. Each of these instructors brought distinct teaching methods and philosophies, contributing to the dynamic and evolving nature of the course. Vorkurs underwent significant changes throughout Bauhaus's 14-year history, reflecting the varying pedagogical approaches of its masters and the political and social changes of the era. As a result, the course cannot be seen as a static entity but rather as a series of diverse and sometimes inconsistent pedagogical experiments. This article examines the transformations and inconsistencies of Vorkurs by comparing the approaches of Itten, Moholy-Nagy, and Albers. It argues that the course should not be understood as a single, cohesive course but rather as a reflection of the diverse and evolving educational philosophies of its instructors. By focusing on these differences, the article aims to discuss the changing definitions and ideals of individual creativity and traits, which are still major topics of discussion within contemporary design education.

German Charity and Mutual Aid Societies in St. Petersburg (late 18th ‒ early 20th centuries)

The study of charity in the Russian Empire has an extensive historiography. The specifics of its implementation in various ethnic groups are often beyond the scope of the study. The purpose of this research is to identify German charitable organizations that have become the elements of the civil society that has been formed in the capital. New forms of unification of citizens and colonists became one of the manifestations of modernization, which was later adopted by other groups of metropolitan residents. The basis of this research is made up of various types of published and archival sources, some of which are being introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. German charitable organizations have existed in St. Petersburg since the 1770s. Initially, they arose at parish churches and had religious orientation. Since the 1860s, German artisans and colonists initiated creation of funeral registers, which have been widely distributed throughout Russia since the 1880s. Being independent of the state, charitable organizations and mutual aid societies became an important indicator of the modernization of Russian society in the 19th and early 20th century. The article is intended for specialists and anyone interested in the social history and history of Russian Germans.

­Soviet ‘Easterns/Osterns’ of the 1920s: Adventure Films on the Caucasian Frontier of Russia

The article elucidates the issue of representation in Soviet cinema of historical events that transpired during the formation of the Caucasian frontier and the interactions that emerged between the indigenous population and the tsarist troops. The term “Eastern” is analogous to the term “Western” which refers to films about the exploration of the Wild West. This is a useful way of conceptualizing Soviet silent films created on Caucasian material from the 19th–early 20th centuries. This article aims to examine feature films from the 1920s that depict Russia’s advance into the Caucasus. It seeks to identify similarities and differences between these films and the first Soviet “Easterns/Osterns” and “Westerns,” as well as to analyze the influence of ideological attitudes in historical science on the interpretation and depiction of events that took place on the Caucasian frontier. The visual sources utilized in this study include the silent films ‘Abrek Zaur’ (1926), ‘The Law of the Mountains’ (1927), and ‘Zelimkhan’ (1929). Additionally, published materials from the 1920s, including periodicals such as newspapers and magazines, were consulted. The study yielded insights into the stylistic similarities between classic Westerns and the first Soviet Easterns, including the portrayal of protagonists, the use of action and stunts, and the incorporation of jumps. The content of the films is correlated with real historical events, but they reflect the Bolshevik paradigm of history in the study of ethnosocial conflicts in the Caucasus. In films about highlanders, masculine culture is a dominant feature due to gender attitudes and the national cultural identity of the peoples of the Caucasus. Films about mountaineers were instrumental in shaping perceptions of the Caucasus during the early decades of the twentieth century. They illustrate the attributes of traditional culture, daily life, customs of mountain village inhabitants, the characteristics of the landscape, and architectural features. In general, films of an adventurous nature created on Caucasian material are of interest to those with an affinity for classic cinema, particularly the earliest Soviet Eastern films, as well as to researchers seeking to gain insight into significant historical and cultural information. This article is intended for those engaged in the study of the history of Soviet cinema.

RUSSIAN LITERARY ESTATE: A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

The purpose of the article is to identify and characterize promising vectors of development of the Russian literary estate in the first quarter of the 21st century, in connection with which the works on the “estate” theme of T. N. Tolstaya, Yu. V. Mamleev, V. G. Sorokin, A. P. Potemkin, E. G. Vodolazkin, G. Sh. Yakhina, A. I. Slapovsky, M. L. Stepnova, V. O. Pelevin, etc. are examined in a wide cultural context. The article demonstrates that the new quality of the estate text, in comparison with the classics of the 19th — early 20th century, arises in Soviet literature and continues in the post-Soviet times. The main categories for the development of a modern literary estate are estate heterotopia, estate habitus, dacha myth, crypto-estate mythology and estateness, as well as new modifications of the estate topos: garden-city, a window into transcendent meanings and the Euro-Asian phenomenon. However, the most significant factor in the future of the literary estate in the 21st century is the “civilizational approach,” drawn from historical science. The interdisciplinary phenomenon of the Russian estate is understood within its framework, on the one hand, as one of the manifestations of the universal archetype of world history since the Biblical times, on the other — as an important element of Russia’s national cultural code from antiquity to the present day. It is the “civilizational approach” that connects the futurology of the Russian estate with the “great historical time” and takes its history beyond the imperial period of the 18th — early 20th century, which previously delineated its existence. Thanks to him, the signs of Moscow Russia of the 16th–17th centuries in a number of “estate” texts by modern authors can be perceived as a trend, rather than a curiosity. The relevance of the article lies in the desire to elaborate the paths of Russia’s civilizational identity. Its scientific novelty is in the first comprehensively presented system of categories of poetics for the study of the literary estate of the present and future. The conclusions of the article are obtained with regard to the research context on the issues raised and call for further discussion.

Comparison of American and Indonesian Women's Notion in Cather's O'pioneer! and Hamka's Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk

This scientific paper is a literary study that addresses gender issues in the form of a comparison of American women's notions narrated by Alexandra in Cather’s novel O'Pioneer! with Indonesian women narrated by Hayati in Hamka's novel Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk. Literary comparative studies are carried out in the form of an analysis of the similarities and differences of American and Indonesian women's notions in the early 20th century as narrated in the two literary works. This research is a structural analysis of literature that emphasizes the study of the intrinsic elements of literature, especially the characterizations originating from Cather’s novel O'Pioneer! in 1913 and Hamka's novel Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk in 1938. The data from the two novels were analyzed based on the scientific method of comparative literature which is reconstructed from the concept of de Zepetnek and Endraswara. The results of this study indicate that the similarities between American and Indonesian women in the early 20th century were based on a traditional society that adhered to religion, accepted marriage and homemaking as natural in the process of women's lives, loyalty to true love as a symbol of belief in life, accepting differences, and forgiving. Their differences are moderate traditional versus traditional conservative, new women versus traditional women, heterogeneous versus homogeneous, repositioning tradition versus strengthening tradition, partial domestication of women versus full domestication of women, living with renewal ideas versus dying with conservative ideas, and so on.

Sociocultural Characteristics of Penza Governors of the 19th – early 20th centuries

Sociocultural Characteristics of Penza Governors of the 19th – early 20th centuries

THE POETICS OF UTOPIA IN THE WORKS OF A. V. CHAYANOV

The futurological model presented in “My brother Alexei’s Journey to the Land of Peasant Utopia” by A. V. Chayanov (under the name of Iv. Kremnev) is focused on preserving and reviving the traditions of the times past, which are harmoniously integrated into a new way of life. The utopian worldview is very eclectic: along with manual agricultural labor, there are the latest inventions: meteorophores and aircraft, atmospheric precipitation is controlled. Art as a philosophical imperative defines all aspects of society. The leaders of the state, rely on the achievements of eugenics, striving to maximize the realization of each person’s talent, education is based on the principles of harmonious personal development: utopia’s residents not only master a specialty, but must know the history of art, play sports, which should also serve to reveal their abilities. The ideal is formed by both the ancient culture and manor pastime, where a person works in close contact with nature, spending leisure time in literary or musical pursuits. Knowledge of history and art is considered fundamental here: even cooking and entertainment are focused on preserving the memory of the past. Many of the ideas on which utopia is based are Chayanov’s ideas about the proper structure of education, its cultural and art history components, pedagogical and methodological principles, and the formation of a versatile and multifaceted scientist. But in a way, it is also an answer to the disputes of the late 19th — early 20th centuries about the role of man as a theurgist, the limits of his capabilities and power.

Orenburg Educational Institutions in Training Personnel for Administrative and Managerial Institutions of the Turgai Region in the 19th – early 20th centuries

Orenburg Educational Institutions in Training Personnel for Administrative and Managerial Institutions of the Turgai Region in the 19th – early 20th centuries

Customary Legal Methods of Acquiring Rights to Land from Zyryans in the 19th – early 20th centuries

Customary Legal Methods of Acquiring Rights to Land from Zyryans in the 19th – early 20th centuries

Античные маскароны в системе смыслов русской архитектуры XIX — начала ХХ века

The article discusses the basic semantic and compositional principles of the location of ancient-themed mascarons in the space of the Russian architecture of the 19th — early 20th centuries on the example of buildings in Moscow and St Petersburg. They have appeared in the focus of the search for artistic expression by Russian sculptors and architects. Nevertheless, mascarons have never been the subject of specialized scientific research. The accents they bring to the figurative concept of structures are very instructive for understanding the system of meanings of some works of Russian architecture. All this determines the relevance of addressing this issue. The study uses formal stylistic and comparative methods of analysis.

Русская идея: понятие, проблемное поле, современные интерпретации

The article is devoted to the concept of Russian idea and its interpretations in the works of Russian thinkers of the late 19th – early 21st century. At first, the author of the article analyzes the concepts of V.S. Solovyov and V.I. Ivanov, their main theses in works on the Russian idea. Then he proceeds to consider the book by N.A. Berdyaev “Russian idea”, which covers all ideological diver­sity in the works of Russian thinkers of the 19th – early 20th century. For N.A. Berdyaev “Russian idea” is the idea of community (“commonality”), “brotherhood of people and peoples”, turned to future universal salvation. On the example of the works of V.S. Solovyov, V.I. Ivanov and N.A. Berdyaev, the author of the article shows general problem field, which includes various as­pects of research in connection with the “Russian idea”. From Russian thinkers of the late 19th – first half of the 20th century the author of the article goes on to analyze works on the Russian idea of the beginning of the 21st century. In these studies, the authors not only follow the tradition established by their pre­decessors in understanding Russian idea, but try to make additions and offer their own interpretations (A.V. Gulyga, V.I. Gidirinsky, S.N. Kocherov, O.V. Pa­rilov, V.Yu. Kondratyev). An exception to the general direction is A.G. Dugin, proposing not just to explore Russian idea, but to reveal on the basis of M. Hei­degger’s philosophy the “Russian Beginning”, which will become the leading idea for philosophizing in Russia, will create conditions for the “possibility of Russian philosophy”. Modern interest in the topic of “Russian idea” shows its relevance and the need for further philosophical research

An examination of the influenza pandemic in early 20th century in Crete through the lens of the 1918 editions of Nea Ephimeris, a Cretan newspaper.

Crete, strategically situated at the crossroads of three continents, was historically embroiled in incessant conflicts between colonisers and Greek revolutionaries, as well as recurrent battles against disease. In 1918, the island faced a novel adversary: influenza. In response, the state, local authorities, and medical professionals on the island mounted a formidable defence. Hospitals, health centres, and the military all contributed to the effort. Essential provisions of medicine and food were distributed to support the populations in areas most inflicted. The Heraklion-based newspaper Nea Ephimeris played a crucial role in documenting these events. Through its articles, reports, interviews, and reviews of the influenza situation, it disseminated vital information that helped the public understand both preventive measures and the necessary actions to combat the spread of the virus. This study examines the coverage by Nea Ephimeris from January 1918 to January 1919, assessing how the newspaper informed, supported, and uplifted the urban and rural populations of Crete. The data collected reconstruct the events of that period and demonstrate how historical pandemics offer lessons that can prepare health professionals for future challenges.

Разговоры на письме: эпистолярный архив Н.А. Бердяева

The essay examines the book published in 2023 “Nikolai Berdyaev: An Epistolary Conversation. Archival Materials”, containing bilateral correspondence between N.A. Berdyaev and S.L. Frank, as well as letters to Berdyaev from N.O. Lossky and Yu.M. Panebrattsev. This book covers the chronological period from 1922 to 1948, during which Berdyaev was living in exile. The main focus of the book is the correspondence between Berdyaev and Frank, which covers a wide range of topics, including the fate of Russian philosophical research abroad, educational and publishing institutions in Germany and France, as well as the daily challenges faced by Berdyaev during the 1920s and 1940s. A significant portion of the correspondence also discusses the ideas behind Berdyaev’s philosophical works, the process of preparing and publishing them, and the history of “Way” journal (1925–1940). Lossky’s letters (unfortunately, Berdyaev’s reply letters have not yet been found) are more formal and distant, but they also reflect the long-term collaboration between the philosophers, their attention to each other’s work, and their perception of the intellectual life in Soviet Russia as continuing in many ways, both in relation to the past and in connection with emigration. Of particular interest are the letters written by Yu.M. Panebrattsev (1900–1937) from Soviet Russia to Paris between 1930 and 1931, expressing the intense philosophical quest of a relatively young man seeking advice and guidance from Berdyaev. Panebrattsev’s letters provide an interesting insight into how, at the very beginning of the 1930s, he synthesized the trends of Russian idealistic philosophy from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while also appealing to the great philosophical traditions of Europe, consciously avoiding the influence of official philosophy. The reviewed publication makes a valuable contribution not only to the study of Berdyaev’s life and works, but also to the history of the Russian emigration of the first wave