Kalmykia in Russia's Past and Present National Policies and Administrative System

Konstantin N. Maksimov is Chairman of the Parliament, Republic of Kalmykia

English translation: Anna Yastrzhembska

Kalmykia is a constituent of the Russian Federation that shaped and has been developing within Russia for several centuries. Kalmykia was incorporated into the Russian state in the early second half of the 17 th century, it was officially recognized by the Russian authorities and constituted as an ethno-political entity in the form of feudal khanate with the status of a virtually autonomous unit. The Kalmyk Khanate’s status as a largely self-ruling area within the Russian Empire gradually transformed into the status of a regular administrative territory under the Astrakhan governor. It received the status of a Republic from Stalin.

Maksimov examines issues of interrelations between the Kalmyk people and Russia before and after the Kalmyks’ accession to the Russian state. Analyzes the Soviet national policy and to the destiny of Kalmykia under the communist regime. The legal status of this republic and its development under the new Russian federalism are discussed in great details.

"Kalmykia in Russia's Past and Present's invaluable overview of Kalmyk-Russian relations is laced with crucial background information on Kalmyk history, culture, and society. It makes thorough use of prerevolutionary, Soviet, and post-Soviet secondary and published primary sources and unpublished materials from the National Archives of the Kalmyk Republic.

An admirable contribution to our knowledge of one of Russia's less-studied peoples. Scholars of Soviet and Russian nationality issues, Mongolian studies, and late Soviet / post-Soviet politics will all benefit from this original work." - The Russian Review

2008
454 pages + 8 pages with illustrations
ISBN 978-963-9776-17-3 cloth $55.00/ €42.95 / £40.00