Tatar cantonists of the Kazan gunpowder factory in the first half of the 19th century

Scientific article

doi 10.28995/2073-0101-2025-4-1202-1216

For citation

Abdullin, Khalim M. (2025). Tatar cantonists of the Kazan gunpowder factory in the first half of the 19th century, Herald of an Archivist, no. 4, pp. 1202-1216, doi 10.28995/2073-0101-2025-4-1202-1216

Abdullin, Khalim M., Institute of History named after, Sh. Marjani of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, Russia

Tatar cantonists of the Kazan gunpowder factory in the first half of the 19th century

Abstract

This paper is dedicated to the first dedicated study in Russian historiography of the issue of Tatar cantonists in the military department of the Russian Empire. Works on the general history of the institution of cantonists in the Russian Empire are represented in Russian and foreign historiography. The issue of Jewish cantonists is well-researched, and there are articles on Roma cantonists. The history of Tatar cantonists is examined using the example of a specific military institution – the Kazan Gunpowder Factory in the first half of the 19th century. This scientific article examines the historiography of the topic, based on a wide range of archival sources, many of which are being introduced into scholarly circulation for the first time. Inventories and files from the funds of the Kazan Gunpowder Factory (F. 252), the Kazan Provincial Government (F. 2), and the Kazan Provincial Treasury Chamber (F. 3) were reviewed in the State Archives of the Republic of Tatarstan (GA RT). The work utilized legislative acts, scholarly monographs and articles, and the works of contemporaries of those events. This article analyzes the problem of recruiting Tatars for military service and their history at the Kazan Gunpowder Factory. It examines the fates of some Tatar cantonists and discusses religious and ethnic life at the military plant. A specific example is provided of a Muslim cantonist's conversion to the Orthodox faith, as well as other similar cases. Special attention is given to changes in regulatory and legal acts, the establishment and functioning of the cantonist school at the factory, and the religious practices of Muslim military personnel. Using the service records of lower ranks, examples of career advancement, rewards, and promotions of former Tatar cantonists are presented. It is concluded that the military service of Tatar cantonists at the Kazan Gunpowder Factory was long-term and continuous. Tatars were subject to conscription and were assigned as enlisted soldiers, including to military enterprises where they started families. According to the laws of the Russian Empire, their sons were required to enlist as cantonists upon reaching a certain age. Training in military cantonist schools allowed the military department to produce literate and skilled specialists. Upon reaching conscription age, former cantonists more quickly achieved the ranks of non-commissioned officers. Literacy in Russian and twelve years of service as non-commissioned officers allowed such former cantonists to qualify for the examination for an active officer rank.

Keywords

Cantonists, soldiers' children, Tatars, Muslims, Kazan Gunpowder Factory, military department of the Russian Empire.

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About authors

Abdullin Khalim M., PhD in History, Marjani Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, department of modern history, senior researcher, Kazan, Russian Federation, 8-843-292-91-99, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0212-6953

Grant information

The work was carried out at the expense of a grant from the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, provided to young candidates of sciences (postdoctoral fellows) for the purpose of defending their doctoral dissertation, performing research, as well as performing labor functions in scientific and educational organizations of the Republic of Tatarstan within the framework of the State Program of the Republic of Tatarstan "Scientific and Technological Development of the Republic of Tatarstan". An electronic resource. Access mode: http://www.antat.ru/ru/competitions/granty-kandidatam-nauk-postdoktorantam/granty-kandidatam-nauk-postdoktorantam/

The article was received in the editorial office on 25.12.2024, recommended for publication on 20.09.2024.