THE ATTITUDE OF THE LOCAL POPULATION AND THE RULING CLASSES TO THE PROCESSES OF RENEWAL IN THE MUSLIM SOCIETY OF CENTRAL ASIA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the social, political, and cultural reactions of both the local population and the ruling classes in Central Asia to the modernization and reform processes within Muslim society in the early 20th century. Set against a backdrop of colonial intervention, declining imperial power, and the global surge of modernity, the study explores how various social strata—particularly the traditional elites and common people—perceived and responded to efforts at renewal.The research draws upon historical material, political theory (including Trotsky’s concept of Uneven and Combined Development and Gramsci’s idea of ideological hegemony), and case studies to uncover the deep ambivalence that characterized this period. While the educated elite and reformist thinkers often viewed modernization as a pathway to national revival and socio-political progress, many conservative rulers and segments of the population regarded such efforts as a threat to religious identity and social cohesion. The monograph examines the ways in which local leaders navigated external pressures (from Russian imperialism and global ideological trends) and internal calls for educational, legal, and institutional reform.By addressing questions of national identity, Islamic tradition, and colonial governance, the monograph contributes to a nuanced understanding of Muslim societies in transition. It also highlights the central role of cultural memory, economic inequality, and inter-elite negotiation in shaping the success or failure of reform movements. This work adds to the broader discourse on the adaptation of Islamic civilizations to modernity and global change