SUMMARY:

This article examines the formation of the Buryat modern national project during the Russian Empire’s transformative crisis of 1906–1907 through public discussions and political self-organization. Different groups articulated their interests through self-description, self-organization, and representation using the relative liberalization of the press and the emergence of the imperial parliament – the State Duma. The intellectual and political debates among Buryat activists led to their division into factions like the “old duma supporters,” who were perceived as more conservative, and the “young Buryats,” who were deemed more progressive. They disagreed on the best form of self-governance, ranging from restoring traditional steppe councils (dumas) to introducing all-imperial local government institutions (zemstvos). Of central importance were internal discussions over the foundations of the Buryat community, particularly debating the role of Buddhism and Mongolian script in national consolidation versus a more assimilationist, Russian-language, and socioeconomic approach, a split exemplified by the “Populists” and the “Westernizers.” Ultimately, the article demonstrates how these intensive political activities, including regional congresses and participation in the State Duma, laid the groundwork for the future Buryat national project by establishing key parameters for autonomy and cultural revival.