Karaim, Russia 1860



All the above are classic examples of the Karaim life in Russia before 1900

On the picture above may be the most eminent Karaite scholar of 
the 19th century, and the most active champion of the Karaite struggle
for civil rights Abraham b. Samuel Firkovich (1787–1874)
whose advent upon the scene opened a new chapter in Karaite
historiography.
	In the 17th and 19th centuries, Karaite activity
shifted to the Crimea and Lithuania, and Karaites in these areas
assumed leadership of the sect.

	In 1835 Karaites succeeded in having the
Rabbanite Jews of Troki expelled from the town, on the basis
of ancient Lithuanian privileges which granted them the sole
right of settlement there. They also achieved a change in their
official designation; instead of "Jews-Karaites" they first came
to be called "Russian Karaites of the Old Testament Faith," and
eventually simply "Karaites."
	Number of Karaites in Russia: according to official figures, their
number (including all areas of former Poland and Lithuania)
had grown to 9,725 in 1879)
[ENCYCLOPAEDIA JUDAICA, Second Edition, Volume 11]