University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School
Doi
Abstract
This dissertation uses the East Turkestani (Uyghurs) as a case study to explore the possible fates of borderland communities during the transition from imperial polities to nation-state. How do they obtain political belonging and who determines the parameters of that identity: the community itself, established polities, or international ideals? This study follows East Turkestani leadership, specifically Mohammed Amin Bugra and, later, Isa Yusuf Alptekin, from East Turkestan (Xinjiang) to Kashmir, Kabul, Chongqing, Ankara and Istanbul on their quest to define the East Turkestani as a political community and establish political belonging in local, national and international contexts c. 1930-1970. The collapse of old structures and exposure to new ideas led to a re-envisioning of East Turkestan as a potential political community. After annihilation of a short-lived East Turkestan Republic and failure to re-stage revolution from exile in Kashmir and Kabul, Bugra and Alptekin worked to develop limited self-rule under the umbrella state of the Chinese Nationalists (GMD). Following the collapse of GMD rule on the mainland and establishment of the PRC in 1949, East Turkestani fled over the mountains and attempted to claim political belonging in both Kashmir and Afghanistan via historic affinity. Many of these East Turkestani were later granted citizenship in the Republic of Turkey, to which they immigrated as “returning Turks” 1952-1968. However, Turkey’s policies toward immigrant Turks shifted after this period, and the nation no longer grants the same privileges to immigrant hopefuls. Meanwhile, the PRC undertook an extensive program to integrate East Turkestani as Uyghur and Kazak ethnic minority Chinese nationals. Reflecting the transnational character of its subject, this dissertation incorporates sources from Indian, Turkish, British, U.S. and IO archives, as well as newspaper articles, personal letters, and publications in English, Turkish and Chinese. The experiences of the East Turkestani, and the results of their varied attempts to gain political belonging demonstrates that there is no guaranteed path to stable political belonging for borderland. Political belonging is precarious and influenced by numerous factors, many of which are beyond the community’s control.Doctor of Philosoph
