In theRussian Empire,inorodtsy (Russian:иноро́дцы) (singular:inorodets (Russian:инородец), literally meaning "of different descent/nation", "of alien origin") was a specialethnicity-based category of population that received a special treatment under the law.[1] Informally, the term referred to all non-Slavic subjects of the empire.[1]
The term is sometimes translated asallogeneous (people) (cf. "allogenes") and sometimes as "aliens". The latter translation is misleading since in most cases the term was applied to theindigenous population of Siberia,Central Asia, andRussian Far East.
Initially, a legal statute was introduced for special treatment of certain peoples of Russia (including a certain degree of protection for their traditional life) for which some laws of the empire were deemed inappropriate. Over time, the term acquired apejorative connotation. Privileges and special treatment forinorodtsy varied depending on the group, area, and time period, but often included exemption ofmilitary service, reduction or exemption of taxes, protection ofgrazing lands, and religious and governmental self-administration.[2][3][4]
The 19th century Russian code of law (beginning with the 1822Statute on the Administration of Inorodtsy [ru]) distinguished the following categories ofinorodtsy:[1]
"Инородцы" .Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary (in Russian). 1906.
