The purpose of the article is to study the role of the Muslim factor in the revolutionary events in Astrakhan in 1917-1918. The research is based on published sources and archival documents that were not previously introduced into scientific circulation. Analysis of sources shows that the Muslim population of the region split into adherents of national and cultural autonomy (“Milli Idare”) and supporters of the Bolsheviks. Revolutionary organizational structures and military formations of the opposing Muslim forces were created. The struggle in the information field was conducted via the mass media (newspapers). Special attention is paid to the characteristics of personalities. It is noted that the Muslim population of the region in the conditions of the revolution showed social activity. At the same time, Muslims relied on their religious values, combining them with political ideas. Both the Muslim leaders of the pro-Soviet forces and the management of Milli Idare appealed to the Islamic identity of their supporters. The author concluded that Muslims played an important role in the establishment of Soviet power in Astrakhan in January 1918. Largely thanks to their support (especially from the Muslim company of the 156th regiment), with a certain neutrality of supporters of national and cultural autonomy, the Soviet government won and strengthened its position in the region in the subsequent period.
