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The article studies the participation of the Kumyk clergy in the events of the Caucasian War. The latter phenomenon is analyzed by the example of specific destinies and views of specific supporters and opponents of Muridism. The article examines the activities, theological and creative heritage of the companions of Imam Shamil Tashav-Haji, Idris and Salih Endireevsky, as well as their ideological opponents Mamagishi Olmesov and Yusuf Klychev. The firsts ones played a noticeable role in Shamil's imamate, occupied the posts of his naibs and kadiys. Their opponents chose to actively support the Russian Empire. At the same time, each of the parties had their own arguments in favor of their own choice, which led to an active written polemic between them. The article also investigates the fates of their less well-known contemporaries – muhajirs, who moved to the possessions of Shamil and chose the Russian service. As established by the authors of the article, during the Caucasian War, the kumyk clergy actively participated in political processes not only in Dagestan, but also on the territory of Chechnya, Ingushetia, Karachay, Circassia, and the Ottoman Empire. The authors noted the mobility of the views of some of them and the political neutrality of the majority. According to the authors, most of the clergy felt sympathy for the muridist doctrine, but, not wanting to be subjected to repression and expose their loved ones to them, they preferred to show external loyalty to the official authorities.

Keywords: Caucasian war, clergy, sharia, imamate, sheikh, Tashav-Haji, Idris-effendi, Yusuf-Qadi

DOI: 10.22250/20728662_2022_3_28

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About the authors

Yusup M. Huseynov – Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Humanities,
Dagestan State University of National Economy; 5 Ataeva str., Makhachkala, 367000, Russia;
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Yusup M. Idrisov – Candidate of Historical Sciences, Lecturer-Guide of the Historical Park “Russia is My History” in Makhachkala;
31g Shamil str., Makhachkala, 367000, Russia;
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