On the historiography of the issue of incorporation of Ingushetia into the Russian state

This article presents a brief historiographical overview of the incorporation of Ingushetia into the Russian state, focusing on two issues: the nature of this process, as reflected in the terminology used ("acceptance of citizenship," "unification/voluntary entry," "annexation/subjugation," etc.), and its dating. The historiography is examined chronologically, from the 1770s to the present, allowing us to trace the dynamics of historians' judgments and conclusions, in their close relationship with the objective historical and political conditions and ideological concepts that directly influenced the historical narrative during the period in the state's history under consideration (the Russian Empire, the Soviet era, the post-Soviet decade, and contemporary Russia). This historiographical overview demonstrates that the issues identified were controversial and reflected diverse points of view throughout the periods examined. They remain relevant today. However, despite the polarity of scholarly opinions on the date of Ingushetia's incorporation into Russia, as well as the antagonism in judgments regarding the voluntary, peaceful, or violent nature of this process, the vast majority of authors, regardless of their position, agree in recognizing the objective positive consequences of joining the Russian state for the Ingush, as well as for other peoples of the North Caucasus. As historians note in their works, the incorporation of the North Caucasus (including Ingushetia) into Russia had progressive significance for the preservation and full development of the peoples inhabiting it.