FROM THE HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF THE MULTINATIONAL POPULATION IN THE TURKESTAN REGION

Abstract

The article examines the peculiarities of the national composition of the population of Turkestan in the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th – early 20th century. It is noted that the multinational environment in the region was formed as a result of the implementation of the resettlement and Russification policy. The indigenous peoples in the region were Uzbeks, Tajiks, Kazakhs, ets. In imperial Turkestan, diasporas of various peoples of the East and West began to form – Eastern Slavs, Tatars, Armenians. This circumstance contributed to the creation of a multinational image of Turkestan. It is emphasised that the religious composition of the population of the Turkestan region was also diverse. The predominant religion was Muslims. Representatives of the Orthodox faith, Judaism, the Armenian-Gregorian Church, Lutheranism, Baptism, Old Believers, and Evangelism also lived here. The existence of a multiethnic and multi-confessional environment necessitated the establishment of solidarity relations between peoples. The Russian language and culture were widespread in certain areas. It is suggested that the multinational composition of the population contributed to the cultural and economic integration of the peoples living in the region.