Imam Šāmil and Muridizm in Russian and Western Historiography

The historiography about Imam Šāmil and muridizm has evolved significantly from the beginning of his Imamate in Dagestan to more recent historical developments, reflecting various political and academic contexts. This note is devoted to exploring how interpretations of his movement have changed over time. Early Russian narratives depicted him as a fanatic within a civilizing mission, while Soviet historians later framed his struggle as an anti-colonial movement, emphasizing socio-economic factors and minimizing religious elements. Most recent Western scholarship has introduced more nuanced perspectives, examining the interplay of religious, political, and cultural influences on Muridizm and its legacy in contemporary Caucasian identity. International historians have also contextualised Šāmil’s resistance within broader 19th-century anti-colonial movements. Overall, this note briefly shows how the historiography about Imam Šāmil and muridizm remains dynamic, with ongoing debates about the role of Islam in Russia, and the long-term implications for Caucasian societies and Russian-Muslim relations.