Bahá'ís in Russian Empire within Context of Russo-Iranian Relations

This article explores the confessional history of a Persian-origin religious community — the Bahá’í Faith (formerly known as Beháism or Behaitstvo in Russian literature) — on the territory of the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century Russian Empire The study examines the historical-cultural foundations of this religious group from Persia, including reasons for its formation and unique characteristics of Baha'i diaspora communities within Tsarist Russia, particularly focusing on Ashkhabad. Drawing upon sacred writings by prominent Bahá’í figures translated into Russian, English, and Persian languages, along with works by pre-revolutionary Russian scholars studying this phenomenon, the authors analyze the cooperation between the Bahá’ís and Imperial administration across Central Asia and Transcaucasia, where they were granted protection. Utilizing a civilizational approach, the research situates these findings within broader relationships between the late imperial Russian state-civilization and an immigrant religious community (the Bahá’ís) alongside a major Asian neighbor (Qajar Iran). Emphasis is placed on the historical discourse of “The Great Game” — a geopolitical rivalry involving Russia and Britain over influence in the Middle East — wherein Iran was subjected to peaceful subjugation by both European powers, impacting the situation surrounding the Bahá’í faith.

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