Article In: InContext: Online-First Articles
Mahmudkhodja behbudiy
Educator, reformer, and leader of Uzbekistan’s Jadid Movement
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
This article examines the life and multifaceted activities of Mahmudkhodja Behbudiy (1874–1919), one of the leading representatives of the Jadid movement in Turkestan. A prominent legal scholar, educator, publisher, playwright, and public intellectual, Behbudiy devoted his life to educational reform, cultural modernization, and the struggle for national self-determination. His life and work reflected the political and social contradictions of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a period marked by colonial domination, intellectual transformation, and the emergence of reformist movements. More than a century after his tragic death, Behbudiy’s intellectual legacy continues to serve as an important source of inspiration for younger generations.
The article analyzes the rise of Jadidism in Turkestan at the end of the nineteenth century and its transformation from an educational reform and establishment of usul-i jadid (“new method”) schools into a broader political movement advocating national autonomy and social renewal., Jadidism gradually evolved into an influential intellectual and political force. This transformation was made possible in large part through Behbudiy’s extensive educational, journalistic, and organizational activities.
Although his name was marginalized during much of the twentieth century, independent Uzbekistan has undertaken significant efforts to restore and commemorate his legacy. In recent years, scholarly editions of his works have been published, museums and monuments dedicated to him have been established, and films and literary works about his life have appeared. By decree of Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Behbudiy was posthumously awarded the Order of Buyuk Xizmatlari Uchun (“For Great Services”), and the 145th anniversary of his birth was widely commemorated in 2020.
Keywords: Jadidism, Mahmudkhodja Behbudiy, Turkestan, national awakening, sovereignty
Аннотация
Статья посвящена жизни и многогранной деятельности Махмудходжа Бехбуди — верного сына узбекского народа, основателя движения джадидов в Туркестане, правоведа, великого деятеля просветительского движения, мыслителя, который отдал свою жизнь во имя борьбы за независимость нации.
Жизнь реформатора и гения человеческой мысли была наполнена сложностями и противоречиями. Впрочем, как и сам исторический период конца девятнадцатого — начала двадцатого веков — эпоха не просто «ветра перемен», а социальных, политических и экономических штормов и бурь. Спустя более века после трагической гибели великого мыслителя и реформатора, жизнь Махмудходжа Бехбуди служит ярким примером для нынешнего поколения.
Важную роль сыграл Махмудходжа Бехбуди в том, что джадидизм, зародившись как течение общественной мысли и ограниченное первоначально рамками просветительских идей, направленных на реформирование школьного образования, прошло сложный путь развития, дойдя до превращения в мощное политическое движение с чётко оформившимися политическими требованиями национально-государственного самоуправления Туркестана.
Имя Махмудходжа Бехбуди, который не пощадил свою жизнь в борьбе за независимость и свободу нации, несправедливо было предано советской властью забвению.
Благодаря приобретению независимости Республикой Узбекистан восстановлено доброе имя великого сына узбекского народа. Изданы двухтомное собрание сочинений, в Самарканде открыт дом-музей, в Ташкенте на алее литераторов установлен памятник, снят художественный фильм, изданы роман и многочисленные исследования, посвященные жизни и деятельности Махмудходжа Бехбуди.
Указом президента Республики Узбекистан Шавката Мирзиёева жизнь и работа Махмудходжа Бехбуди отмечена орденом «Буюк хизматлари учун» («За заслуги»). В 2020 году в Узбекистане широко отмечено 145-летие Махмудходжа Бехбуди.
Ключевые слова: Джадидизм, Махмудходжа Бехбуди, Туркестан, просветительская деятельность, национальный суверенитет
Article outline
- 1.Introduction: Mahmudkhodja Behbudiy and the Jadid movement in Central Asia
- 2.Turkestan at the turn of an era
- 3.Early life and education
- 4.Travels and intellectual formation
- 5.Educational and cultural reform
- 6.The Jadid movement and political activism
- 7.Death and legacy
- 8.Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
References
References (11)
Abdunabiev, Abdugafur Gafurovich, and Sharap Orazimbetov. 2004. Istoriya Uzbekistana (uchebnoe posobie dlya studentov neistoricheskikh spetsialnostey) [History of Uzbekistan: Textbook for students of non-historical major]. National University of Uzbekistan.
Baltaeva, Zamira. 2020. “O chyom rasskazhet muzey Bekhbudi? [Behbudiy Museum: Historical heritage].” Samarkandskiy Vestnik, October 10. [URL]
Dustkoraev, Boybuta. 2009. Uzbekiston zhurnalistikasi tarixi (1870–1917 noyabr) [History of Journalism in Uzbekistan: 1870–1917]. Vol. 1. Gafur Gulom nomidagi nashriyot-matbaa ijodiy uyi.
Karimov, Naim. 1999. “XX Asr boshlaridagi tarixiy vaziyat va jadidchilik harakatining vujudga kelishi [History of the rise of Jadidism and its development in the beginning of 20th century. A literature review].” In Jadidchilik: Islohot, yangilanish, mustaqillik va taraqqiyot uchun kurash (Turkiston va Buxoro jadidchiligi yangi tarixiga chizgilar) [Jadidism: Struggle for reform, renewal, independence, and development (essays on the new history of Turkestan and Bukhara Jadidism)], edited by Dilorom Agzamovna Alimova. National University of Uzbekistan.
Miralimov, Shavkat. 2021. “Svetly put ozaryon prosveshcheniem. Shtrikhi k portretu vydayushchegosya myslitelya i bortsa za nezavisimost [The life illuminated by enlightenment. Portrait of Behbudiy, philosopher and freedom fighter].” Narodnoe Slovo, January 19.
Nishonova, Gulnora Usmonovna. 2008. “Mesto i rol zhurnala “Oyina” v formirovanii i razvitii uzbekskoy publitsistiki [Oyina Newspaper and its role and place in the development of Uzbek journalism].” PhD diss., National University of Uzbekistan.
Nurmatov, Akbar N., Boybo‘ta Do‘stqorayev, Fayzulla Mo‘minov, Halim Saidov, Nazira Toshpo‘latova, and Saida Maxsumova. 2019. Zhurnalistika nazariyasi, tarixi va taraqqiyoti [Journalism: Theory, history and development]. Vol. 1. O‘zbekiston.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 2020. O dopolnitel’nykh merakh po bolee glubokomu izucheniyu naslediya i uvekovechivaniyu pamyati zhertv repressiy [On additional measures for historical legacy research and commemoration of the victims of the political repression]. Decree № F-5598, October 8. [URL]
Tashpulatov, Shomansur N., and Shavkat A. Miralimov. 2005. Ozbekistonda liberal-demokratik harakat tarixidan [History of Liberal-Democratic Movement in Uzbekistan]. Zar-qalam.
U.S. Government Printing Office. n.d. “The Russian Government in Turkestan.” Government Printing Office. Digitized by the Library of Congress.