There still remained a Crimean Tatar
population living in Crimea in the 19th century, apart from the
Tatars of Kazan. This group was urged on to further develop their
original culture --which predates the first mention of the word
Rus in the Chronicles (e.g. Annales Bertiniani of 9th c.)-- and
adapt it to the demands of the age. Such 19th century Crimean
and Idil Tatars as Kayyum Nasiri, Marjani, Ismail Bey Gaspirali
and others advocated this position. They sought to establish culturallinks
with other Tatar and Turk groupings living elsewherein order to
prevent a total assimilation by the Russians.
