The Convergence of Progressivism, Religious Reform, and Turanist-Turkism in the Thought of Muslim Intellectuals in the South Caucasus (1850–1918)

Document Type : Research Article / Original Article

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Islamic Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

2 M.A. in Muslim social Sciences, Department of Islamic Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences,Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

This study seeks to explain why three seemingly distinct intellectual currents, Progressivism, Religious Reform, and Turanist-Turkism, demonstrated a remarkable capacity for convergence over a relatively short historical period (1850–1918), enabling Muslim intellectuals of the South Caucasus to embody all three simultaneously. Employing a documentary–library research method, the study collects and analyzes a wide range of relevant historical sources. Through a descriptive–critical approach, it offers a sociological analysis of the interwoven nature of these ideas. The findings indicate that Progressivism, the major strands of Religious Reform (Pan-Islamism, Jadidism, and Babism), and Turanist-Turkism shared significant similarities in their epistemological foundations. These shared foundations facilitated intellectual cooperation and social coordination. Drawing on diverse historical sources, the study illustrates concrete instances of this convergence and highlights the intellectual commonalities among Caucasian Muslim thinkers.

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References

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Social Theories of Muslim Thinkers
Volume 16, Issue 1
March 2026
Pages 33-54

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 14 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 11 December 2025
  • Publish Date: 21 March 2026

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