|
Zeki Validi Toğan (Bashkir Әхмәтзәки Вәлиди), (1890-1970), the leader of Bashkir revolutionary and liberation movement, historian, turkolog, doctor of philosophy (1935), honorary doctor of Manchester University (1967).
Born Äxmätzäki Wälidi(ev) Äxmätşa ulı (Вәлиди(ев) Әхмәтзәки Әхмәтша улы), after emmigration to Turkey turkicized as Zeki Validi Toğan (in Arabic script which was used by both languages that time was not differences)
In 1912-1915 he is a teacher in Kazan madrasa "Qasímiä". In 1915-1917 Validi is a member of bureau, supporting Muslim deputies at State Duma. In 1917 he was elected to Millät Mäcles, with Ş. Manatov he organized Bashkir Shura (Council). In Orenburg, November-December of 1917 Bashkir Congress, where Validi was chairman, declared Bashkortostan's Independence.
In 1918-1919 Validi's Bashkir troops previously fought under ataman Dutov , then under Admiral Kolchak against Bolsheviks. After RSFSR promised autonomy to Bashkirs, he supported Bolsheviks.
From February 1919 till June 1920 he was a chairman of Bashrevkom (Bashkir Revolutionary Committee). After Bolsheviks broke all promises he was disappointed in Bolshevism. He moved to Central Asia.
In Turkistan Validi participated and then he was one of the leaders of local anti-Soviet movement. In 1920-1923 he was a chairman of "National Union of Turkistan". Since 1923 Validi emigrated. In this year he found original manuscript of Ahmad ibn Fadlan in Iran.
Since 1925 Validi lived in Turkey, became a teacher and professor in Istanbul University. Later he was a professor of Bonn University (1935-1937), Göttingen University (1938-1939). Since 1953 he is an organizer of Institute of Studing of Islamic World of Istanbul University.
At the same time he participated in creating of Encyclopedia of Turkic Peoples. His articles about culture, language and history of Turkic peoples are translated to different languages.
| 
