The Uprising of 1916: The Crisis of “Mediation” between Turkestan Jadids and the Tsarist Administration (1916–1917)

Abstract

This article provides a scientific analysis of the “mediation” relations between Turkestan Jadids and the Tsarist administration, which formed during the tragic 1916 national liberation uprising and eventually faced a severe crisis. The research examines the Jadids’ political position, their attitude toward imperial governance, and the large-scale political crisis that emerged following the June 25 mobilization decree. Although the Jadids tried to act as a spiritual bridge between the masses and the colonial government to prevent bloodshed, their efforts failed to yield expected results. The author proves that the complete collapse of these relations reflects not only the internal contradictions of the Jadid movement but primarily systemic flaws in the unjust colonial administrative system of the Russian Empire. The paper analyzes the Jadids’ complex political role, their actions defending national interests, and difficult choices forced by harsh historical conditions. This study is crucial for understanding the local intelligentsia’s realization of national identity, their shift toward independence, and the formation of anti-colonial strategies.