Lenin's Early Days at Kazan University

Upon entering Kazan University, Lenin quickly became involved in revolutionary activities. He moved into a nearby flat and joined a revolutionary cell led by agrarian socialist Lazar Bogoraz. This group was composed of leftists who aimed to revive the Narodnaya Volya, a political organization advocating for the rights of the peasantry and opposing the autocratic regime. In addition to his involvement in the revolutionary cell, Lenin also joined a zemlyachestvo, which was a university society representing students from specific regions. His peers elected him as their representative to the university's zemlyachestvo council, highlighting his emerging leadership skills and commitment to student activism. Lenin's activism culminated in a demonstration against government restrictions that prohibited student societies. This event marked a significant moment in his early political career, as he was arrested and accused of being a ringleader in the protest. The consequences of his actions were severe; he was expelled from Kazan University and subsequently exiled to his family's estate in Kokushkino by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This early period at Kazan University was crucial in shaping Lenin's revolutionary ideology and commitment to political activism, laying the groundwork for his future role in the Russian Revolution.