Tsgoev, Uruzmag C.
Kavkaz Forum. 2024. Issue 18.

Abstract:
The article is devoted to the problem of the spread of Islam among the
Ossetians, which is still the subject of scientific discussions. Alan’s acquaintance
with Islam began during the first Arab conquests in the North Caucasus in the
VIIth century. However, the active spread of the Muslim faith among them can
be attributed only to the XIIIth century, when Alanya became part of the Golden
Horde. At the beginning of the XIVth century, the Golden Horde khans made Islam
the state religion of their state, which caused the strengthening of the influence of
Islam in Alanya. Thus, the Golden Horde had a significant impact on the spread of
Islam among the ancestors of Ossetians. The process of Islamization of the Alans
was interrupted at the end of the XIVth century. due to the invasion of Timur.
Islam received further development in the XVIIIth century. By the XVIth century,
Sunni Islam was finally consolidated among the Kabardians. During this period,
those Ossetian societies that lived in the territories bordering Kabarda most often
accepted Islam from the Kabardians. A characteristic feature of this process was
the fact that Islamization initially affected mainly the political elite of Ossetia.
Since the 40-s of the XVIIIth century, since the establishment of contacts with
Russia and the beginning of the process of incorporation of the Caucasus into the
Empire, the Russian Orthodox Church, relying on the support of the state, gradually
began to restore the dominant position of Christianity in Ossetia. In 1774 Ossetia
voluntarily became part of the Russian Empire, which served as a turning point in
the history and culture of the Ossetians. Russian influence, which penetrated into
Ossetia and intensified in parallel with the strengthening of Russian rule in this
territory, largely undermined the influence of Islam.

Keywords: Arab conquests, Caucasus, Islam, Alanya, The Caucasian War.

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