Everyday Life of Invalid Companies and Military Invalids in the 19th century (Based on Materials from the Tomsk Province)

The article examines the main characteristics of the everyday life of military invalids and members of invalid companies in the Tomsk Province in the 19th century.Based on a comprehensive methodology that includes the principles of historical-anthropological approach, history of everyday life, and microhistory, the authors analyzed the features of material support for military invalids, living environment, household arrangement, consumption specifics, development of personal and social connections and communication among members of invalid companies, as well as their types of employment.The research was based on previously unpublished archival materials from the State Archive of the Tomsk Region.According to the authors, throughout the entire period of existence of invalid companies in the 19th century, the state and society accumulated significant experience in solving the social problems faced by military invalids.The issues of providing for the members of invalid companies were successfully resolved: assistance in food supply, housing solutions, providing suitable employment, monetary support including pensions, providing a place in a religious institution, and so on.At the same time, all these measures were half-hearted, often incomplete, and not entrenched as rights and guarantees for military invalids.The state initiated numerous forms of social support for incapacitated military personnel, but it lacked real mechanisms for public oversight of their implementation.