The book, first published in 1991, explores significant themes relevant to its field, offering insights and perspectives that remain pertinent today. As part of the Routledge imprint, it reflects rigorous academic standards and contributes to ongoing discussions within its discipline. The work is designed for scholars and students alike, providing a foundation for further study and understanding of the subject matter.
This book, first published in 1987, explores significant themes and concepts relevant to its field, providing insights that remain impactful today. As part of the Routledge imprint of Taylor & Francis, it reflects rigorous academic standards and contributes to ongoing discussions in its area of study. The content is designed to engage readers with its depth and relevance, appealing to both scholars and general readers interested in the subject matter.
The book explores the factors contributing to the turmoil following independence in Central Asia, delving into the intricate social and political dynamics that shape the region. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical context and the interplay of various elements that influence contemporary issues faced by Central Asian countries.
Tatars from the Golden Horde settled in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the 15th–16th centuries, originating as Turco-Mongols and practicing Islam. Over generations, they lost their native languages, adopting Belarusian and Polish instead. To preserve their faith, they translated key religious texts into these languages, which were typically written in Latin and Cyrillic scripts—unsuitable for Islamic content. Consequently, the Tatars developed a unique orthography using Arabic letters to represent the phonology of Slavic languages and created a specialized religious vocabulary. They incorporated Belarusian and Polish for general ethical concepts while employing Arabic loanwords for Islamic doctrine, adapting them morphologically and phonetically. This linguistic blend showcases a significant cultural aspect of Islam in Europe. The work's first part outlines the six-hundred-year history of the Tatars in the Grand Duchy, now part of Belarus, Lithuania, and Poland, utilizing diverse sources, including Latin, Old Russian, medieval French, Polish, Italian, and Turkish. The second part provides an in-depth analysis of a Tatar manuscript (Kitab) in the British Library, marking the first comprehensive study of such a text. The manuscript is primarily in Belarusian, featuring mixed standard and dialect forms, with a CD-ROM containing a Latin-script transliteration included in the book's sleeve.