ABSTRACT
It may seem counterintuitive to attribute the development of nationalism, in part, to a non-Mongolian, but Andrei Simukov played such a role in Mongolian nationalism. As a youth, he and his family faced difficulties during the Russian Revolution, and he was deprived of a university education. However, having had a lifelong passion for Mongolia, he secured an interview with Pyotr Kozlov who invited him to join his expedition in Mongolia. Simukov remained behind after the conclusion of Kozlov’s expeditions and organized his own journeys throughout Mongolia. During his wide-ranging travels, he devised a comprehensive map of the country; described its flora, fauna, and geology; reported on nomadic pastoral migrations; and offered suggestions on the herding economy. His remarkable works not only brought the Communist world’s attention to Mongolia, but they also provided support for consideration of Mongolia as a unique culture and of Mongolia as having a history, language, and culture, the attributes of a nation, which certainly contributed to the growth of Mongolian nationalism. Additionally, Simukov also had a tangible impact on Mongolia. Of his three grandchildren, one became a leader of the democracy movement in 1990, another was a member of the Khural and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Environment, and still another was Ambassador to India. This chapter offers a description of Simukov’s life and influence, discusses his significance in terms of Mongolian nation building, and includes the translation of a biography written by Simukov’s daughter, Natasha Simukova.
