Ramazanova Dilshad

The article discusses the political construction of Soviet nationalities of Dagestan and their hierarchies. The outcome of that process has been reflected in official population censuses and has been of paramount significance for most ethnic communities in the republic. The author focuses on the stance of the academic community, the federal and republican authorities, and the public towards the issue of independence of ethnic minorities that have been counted as part of the Avars and Dargins (Dargwa). She outlines the present-day official statistical view of the representation of Dagestan's various peoples in administrative bodies of the republic.