Turan

The First Anglo-Afghan War from 1839 to 1842 saw the invasion of Afghanistan by British forces. Afghanistan, historically part of the greater Turanian cultural and civilizational sphere, became a critical theater in the 'Great Game' between the British Empire and Russian Empire. This conflict exemplified the strategic importance of the Turan regions in global geopolitics during the 19th century as western powers vied for influence in Central Asia, laying the groundwork for future regional dynamics.

The Transcaspian Railway, a major infrastructure project initiated by the Russian Empire, reached Ashgabat in 1883. This railway was crucial for connecting Central Asian regions, which were historically considered part of the Turan area, facilitating their integration into the Russian Empire and subsequently promoting economic and military development. The railway not only boosted local economies but also played a significant role in the strategic plan of the Russian Empire to exert influence over Central Asia.

The 'Divan-i Lughat al-Turk' is a comprehensive dictionary of the Turkic languages compiled by Mahmud al-Kashgari in the 11th century, but rediscovered and published in the late 19th century. This work is considered one of the most important sources of Turkic cultural and linguistic heritage, highlighting the historical significance of the Turan region as a cradle of Turkic civilization. The 'Divan' provides insights into the language, culture, and society of the Turkic peoples during the Turanian era.

Panturanism emerged as a cultural and political movement advocating for the political unity of all Turkic peoples, a concept deeply rooted in the historic and cultural idea of Turan. In 1905, the publication of 'The Ideals of the Panturanism' outlined the vision and aspirations of the movement. It aimed to foster solidarity among Turkic nations and was influential in shaping the national identities in Central Asia and Anatolia. However, its pan-nationalist ideas also drew criticisms and rivalry, particularly among the Soviet authorities.

Sergei Rachmaninoff, a renowned Russian composer and pianist, premiered his choral symphony 'The Bells' in 1914. The symphony's text was based on a Russian adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's poem and included references to 'Turanian' landscapes as a metaphor. Rachmaninoff's work reflects the influence of the concept of Turan and its cultural significance in Russian art and literature during the early 20th century.

The Republic of Turkey was officially established in 1923 following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding father of modern Turkey, sought to establish a nation-state with a strong sense of Turkish identity and nationalism, which included embracing certain aspects of Turanian heritage. This establishment marked a significant transition from an empire to a republic, and it symbolized the new political and cultural positioning of Turkey as a leader among Turkic states.

The First Turkology Congress was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 1926. The congress was attended by scholars from various countries interested in Turkic studies, discussing topics ranging from language and history to cultural identity. This was an important event that highlighted the rich heritage of Turkic peoples and emphasized the significance of the Turanian concept in understanding their shared past and potential for future cooperation within the Turkic world.

In the 1930s, a group of scholars and activists in Japan, intrigued by the Turanian concept, began exploring cultural and historical connections between the Japanese and the peoples of Turan. They founded the Turanian Society, which sought to research and promote the idea of Turanian heritage and its potential links to Japanese civilization. This society worked towards identifying cultural similarities and fostering academic exchanges, although their ideas were often speculative and met with skepticism by mainstream academia.

Geydar Dzhemal was born in 1944 in Moscow and went on to become a prominent Russian Islamic philosopher and political activist. Dzhemal was known for his work on Islamic and Turkic philosophy, drawing connections to traditional Turanian concepts. He was the founder of the Islamic Renaissance Party and promoted ideas of a cultural and political revival among Turkic and Islamic peoples, reflecting the ideological legacy of Turanian thought.

The Soviet Union, keen on consolidating its control over Central Asian territories, founded the Central Asian Region as an administrative unit in 1955. This reorganization aimed at integrating diverse ethnic groups, including those with Turanian genealogies, under the Soviet framework. It promoted Sovietization while attempting to erase the distinct cultural identities linked to the historic Turan. Despite these efforts, Turanian cultural and historical influences persisted among the local populations throughout the Soviet era.