Velyaminov-Zernov V. V. and His Contribution to the Study of Historical Sources of Moslem Peoples

The study of trends and outcomes in the development of modern Oriental historiography and source studies involves the study of scientific heritage and contributions of previous generations of scientists. Among those Russian and European orientalists of the XIX century, who made a great contribution to the development of the Russian Science of history and Oriental Studies, a special place is occupied by the Academician Vladimir Velyaminov-Zernov. Until today, the scientific heritage of V. V. Velyaminov-Zernov remained poorly studied. The main purpose of the article is to identify the contribution of V. V. Velyaminov-Zernov to the study of the history of the Turkic peoples and the medieval Muslim Khanates that emerged on the territory of modern Russia after the collapse of the Golden Horde. This article describes the results of research trips and archeographic work of V. V. Velyaminov-Zernov in different periods of his life. The main attention is paid to the Muslim narrative and epigraphic monuments, which were first introduced by him into scientific circulation. Analysis of his work allowed to define the views of Vladimir Velyaminov-Zernov on the continuity of ethno-cultural and religious traditions of the Muslims of the Middle Volga region, southern Urals, Urals, Central Asia and the Middle East.