UYEZD Meaning and
Definition
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Uyezd is a term primarily used in the former Russian Empire, referring to an administrative territorial unit that functioned as a district or county. The word "uyezd" originated from the Old Slavic term "aga" meaning "head" or "chief." In Russian, "uyezd" is spelled as "уезд."
In the Russian administrative hierarchy, an uyezd was lower in rank than a province or guberniya but higher than a volost, which was a smaller administrative division. Uyezds were headed by a chief administrator called an "ispravnik" who oversaw the local affairs and law enforcement.
Uyezds played a significant role in various aspects of governance and administration within the Russian Empire. They were responsible for tax collection, law enforcement, public services like education and healthcare, and the administration of justice. Uyezds also had a distinct local government structure, including elected representatives known as "zemstvo members" who were responsible for decision-making at the local level.
With the dissolution of the Russian Empire, the term "uyezd" lost its relevance and was replaced by different administrative divisions in the successor countries. Nonetheless, the historical significance and administrative structure of uyezds provide insights into the regional administration of the former Russian territories.
Etymology of UYEZD
The word "uyezd" originated from the Russian language. It comes from the Old East Slavic word "ъездъ" (uyezdŭ), which means "going" or "arrival". In medieval Russia, the term referred to a journey or a gathering of people. Over time, it became associated with administrative divisions within the country. In the 18th and 19th centuries, an "uyezd" denoted a district or administrative unit in the Russian Empire. Today, the term is not commonly used and has been largely replaced by modern administrative divisions in Russia.
