Off with the beard

K.S.S. SESHAN

Many of the medieval practices in Russia, were influenced by Turkish rule. Even after the establishment of the native Romanoff rule, that ended the Turkish domination their dress, customs and practices continued. The credit of modernising Russia and making it on a par with other European countries, goes to Peter the Great, the Czar who ruled Russia between 1696 and 1715.

Peter who succeeded his father, Czar Alexis, was fascinated by the western civilisation and customs. He wanted to modernise Russia on European lines. So on becoming the Czar of Russia, he sent a large delegation of Russian noblemen to the western countries with instructions to observe the conditions there and to report to him so that he could change Russia on those lines. Peter's desire to see things for himself in the west, was so great that he joined the delegation in disguise in its travels. The delegation visited Europe, the Netherlands, England, Prussia, Austria and many other countries. When they were about to set off to Italy, there was news from Moscow that in his absence, his standing army, Strelsti, had revolted. Immediately Peter concluded his study-tour, returned to Moscow and put down the revolt. He abolished the Strelsti, punished all those who were responsible for the revolt and began to modernise his country.

The first thing he did was to order the abolition of the long, flowing ugly beards that the Russians sported at that time. He also forbade the long skirted coats which touched the ground while walking. Peter compelled the nobles, ministers and visitors to his court to shave off their beards. When he found that they were not adhering to his orders, the emperor himself armed with a pair of scissors, cut their beards and their long coats, leaving them knee high. Barbers and tailors were posted at the entrance of every town and village to cut the beards and the long coats. Within a short time, the flowing long beards and long coats disappeared in Russia.

Peter is also credited with several social reforms in Russia. He gave women equal status with men. The custom of having to cover their faces with veils was forbidden. Women were given the right to choose their husbands. Peter introduced dancing in Russia. He learnt western dancing and taught some courtiers, who in turn had to teach others.

The western calendar in which the new year started on January 1, was introduced in the place of the old Russian calendar which began on September 1, signifying the birth of the universe. About eight alphabets in the Russian language, which he was told were not functional, were abolished. Peter also introduced smoking.

During the period of his father Czar Alexis, smoking was a crime punished by cutting off the nose of those found smoking!

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