Nomadic foreigners at the coronations of Russian monarchs in the last third of the 19th century: gifts as evidence of loyalty

Abstract

This article analyzes documents from regional and central archival institutions in the Russian Federation to explore, for the first time in domestic historiography, the organization and participation of foreign delegations at ceremonial events marking the coronation of Russian monarchs in the late 19th century. The focus is on the nomadic peoples of the Astrakhan and Stavropol provinces. After accepting Russian citizenship, these groups sought to establish communication channels to secure preferences that would help preserve their traditional power structures. The article pays particular attention to the formation of deputations, which included not only representatives from privileged classes but also individuals from the common populace. Despite strict adherence to ceremonial protocol, the deputation of Astrakhan Kalmyks presented the emperor with items reflecting their nomadic lifestyle, imbued with both ethnic and confessional significance.

In conclusion, the author argues that the process of forming deputations was influenced by the degree of liberalization in the political regime. Heads of foreign administrations and provincial authorities aimed to ensure adequate representation of the peoples under their jurisdiction. However, local officials faced challenges in acquiring authentic nomadic items for gifts to the imperial couple, suggesting a significant level of integration within the socioeconomic sphere.