Behbudi and the National Press

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the role and services of Mahmudkhoja Behbudi, who, among the Turkestan Jadids, actively worked to establish the national press, develop it, and turn it into an important force in the spiritual life of society. Behbudi, describing the press as an “oyinai jahonnoma” (a mirror reflecting the world), regarded newspapers and journals as the main means of awakening society spiritually and calling people to enlightenment and modern knowledge. His articles widely highlighted the role of the press in social life and its influence on human consciousness and thinking. The most significant aspect of Behbudi’s promotional activity was his effort to bring the press closer to the people. He repeatedly emphasized that in Turkistan society there was no culture of reading newspapers, that publications were lacking, and that it was necessary to increase public interest in the press. For this purpose, he not only wrote articles himself but also invited other intellectuals to join the ranks of journalism. At the same time, he promoted the idea that through newspapers it was possible to openly discuss social problems, fight against injustice, and disseminate new ideas. The article also provides a detailed analysis of the publications founded by Behbudiy and the difficulties he faced in publishing them.