Historical and Political Musings
In November 1917, the Muslim modernizers of Turkestan came together to create the Kokand Autonomy. But how can people with no governing experience govern a region racked by ethnic violence and famine while their neighbors, the Tashkent Soviet, are planning an all out assault? If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Donate… Continue reading Episode 29-The Kokand Autonomy
Introduction What is a Khanate to do when his Russian supporters are overthrown by a revolution and he must now rely on a traitorous warlord to retain his throne? Read our article to learn about the Khivan Khanate during the Russian Revolution. Support Me on Patreon Support LGBTQ+ Organizations Stop Asian Hate Listen to our… Continue reading The Russian Revolution and the Khivan Khanate
Introduction Famed but often misunderstood guerilla fighters, the Basmachi were an Islamic resistance force that targeted both the Bolsheviks and modernizing Islamic forces of Central Asia. This article provides a basic overview of their creation, organizational hierarchy, and talks about some of their most famous leaders. Support Me on Patreon Black Lives Matters Resources Support… Continue reading The Basmachi
Introduction Did you ever wonder how the Russian Revolution affected Central Asia? This episode discusses how the various political factions in Central Asia-the Jadids, Alash Orda, the Ulama, and the Russian Settlers-responded to the fall of the Tsar and the rise of the Bolsheviks. Support Me on Patreon Support LGBTQ+ Organizations Stop Asian Hate Listen… Continue reading The Russian Revolution and Central Asia-1917
Introduction The Russian Revolution provided the Kazakh intellectuals an opportunity to create their own government and redistribute land that had been taken from them by Russian settlers. But what sort of government can you create when you and your fellow indigenous intellectuals can't agree on the best way to rule and the Russian Civil War… Continue reading The Russian Revolution and the Alash Orda-1917
Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia's Golden Age from the Arab Conquest to Tamerlane by S. Frederick Starr, published by Princeton University Press, 2013 Polymaths of Islam: Power and Networks of Knowledge in Central Asia by James Pickett, published by Cornell University Press, 2020 I enjoyed both books and would highly recommend them to anyone interested in… Continue reading Book Review: Lost Enlightenment by S. Frederick Starr and Polymaths of Islam by James Pickett
Did you ever wonder how the Russian Revolution affected Central Asia? This episode discusses how the various political factions in Central Asia-the Jadids, Alash Orda, the Ulama, and the Russian Settlers-responded to the fall of the Tsar and the rise of the Bolsheviks. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon If you… Continue reading Episode 25-The Russian Revolution and Central Asia
Today we take a deep dive into the tactics the Russians used to suppress the Central Asian Revolt of 1916, discussing the Urkun Exodus, the mass reallocation of Steppe lands, and Kuropatkin's decision to use an scorch earth strategy. Transcript coming If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to… Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes 5 Tactics the Russians Used during the Central Asian Revolt of 1916
During this episode we revisit the Central Asian Revolt of 1916, this time focusing on the tactics used by the indigenous rebels, particularly the Kazakh and Kyrgyz peoples in the Steppe. We'll discuss their use of hit and run tactics, the advantages the Steppe provided, and their targeted assaults on major infrastructure. Transcript coming If… Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Tactics the Kazakhs and Kyrgyz Peoples Used during the Central Asian Revolt of 1916
This is a very special episode as we discuss the Jadids with renowned scholar, Dr. Adeeb Khalid. The Jadids were an Islamic modernizing movement within Central Asia that would later find common cause with Bolsheviks and create modern day Uzbekistan. We'll be discussing who the Jadids were, their doctrinal development, and how they fit within… Continue reading Episode 23-Interview with Dr. Adeeb Khalid
5 facts about the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia 1890-1916 In this episode, we briefly discuss the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia, focusing on how the Russian administration created two societies one of the incoming Russian Settlers and one for the indigenous peoples. We also discuss the two biggest problems facing the Russian administration: land… Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Facts about the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia 1890-1916
In this episode we discussed the Central Asian Revolt of 1916. Sparked by decades old administrative issues, the Russian settler's "redistribution" of land and resources, and the Tsarist’s decision to conscription indigenous peoples (who up until that point that had been exemption of conscription), the revolution overtook most of Turkestan and lasted into 1917. In… Continue reading Episode 22-the Central Asian Revolt of 1916
History in 5 Minutes: the 1898 Andijan Uprising In this episode, we discuss 5 facts abou the 1898 Andijan Uprising, discussing Madali Ishan's revolt against Russian colonialism in Central Asia and stoking paranoid Islamophobia. Transcript coming If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects,… Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: the 1898 Andijan Uprising
During this episode we will briefly discuss Russian colonialism in Central Asia from 1860-1890, focusing on the how and why. We'll discuss the subsuming of Steppe Lands, the abolishment of the Kokand Khanate, the subjugation of the Bukharan and Khivan khanates, and the attacks on the Turkmen people of the Ferghana Valley. Transcript If you… Continue reading Episode 21-Russian Colonialism in Central Asia 1860-1890
Today we have a very special episode where we spoke to James Nagle about what life was like for an average IRA recruit and a British soldier. If you enjoyed our big picture overview but want to dive deeper into what life was like for an IRA recruit on the run, a civilian having to… Continue reading Episode 20-Interview with James Nagle
During our podcast episodes on the Irish War for Independence, we focus on the IRA’s tactics and perspective. Today, we’ll be focusing on the British response and the different military and law enforcement groups they employed against the IRA and the Dail. England and the Home Rule Bill Up until 1916, the British government’s approach… Continue reading The RICs, Auxiliaries, and the Black and Tans
I have recently finished R. F. Foster’s book Modern Ireland 1600-1972 and it got me thinking about land distribution during and after conflict. In Ireland, Cromwell targeted the land once owned by those who rebelled. This happened to be the elite of Irish society and he redistributed the larger tracts to his followers and Anglo-Irish… Continue reading The Importance of Land
