- Raznochintsy
Raznochintsy _ru. Разночинцы, singular: Разночинец, raznochinets, literally, "people of miscellaneous ranks") was an official term introduced in the Code of Law of the
Russian Empire in 17th century to define an social estate that included the lower court and governmental ranks, children of "personal dvoryan s", and discharged military, The category of "raznochintsy" grew significantly during the massive trimming down of the category of "servicemen" () in the second half of the 17th century. "Raznochintsy" were oftaxable estate , i.e., those who had to paypersonal tax es (подушная подать). In the mid-18th century the category was abolished, and significant part of "raznochintsy" were transferred into peasantry, but many became merchants and various urban categories (urban "sosloviya"). As a result, "raznochinsty" of 17th-18th centuries significantly contributed to the urban growth inSiberia [ [http://new.hist.asu.ru/biblio/razgon/68-111.html Siberian Merchantry of 18-19th Centuries] ru icon]Later, in the common speech the term acquired a somewhat opposite meaning: "raznochintsy" became to denote persons of non-noble origin who due to their education were excluded from the taxable status and could apply for the status of
personal distinguished citizenship (личное почетное гражданство).A significant amount of Russian "
intelligentsia " of 19th century were "raznochintsy".References
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