The Entry Of Dagestan Into The Russian Empire

Abstract

This article is devoted to the Dagestan entry into the Russian Empire and the occurred political changes connected with this. According to sources, the process of the Dagestan accession was continuing and not completed by the conclusion of the Gulistan Peace Treaty in 1813. After the entry of Dagestan into the Russian Empire, a military command regime was established. The accession of Dagestan to the Russian Empire led to changes in the social, legal, economic, and political nature that occurred in Dagestan society. All power in Dagestan was concentrated in the hands of the military command The development of Russian-Dagestan relations has become a prerequisite for ensuring security and public order, the perception of secular European education, and legal awareness in the region. The process of accession of Dagestan to imperial Russia cannot be called complete even after the accession of individual unions of rural societies of Dagestan, Derbent, and Tabasaran possessions, which expressed Russia's humility in the first ten years of the 19th century.

Keywords: Imperial powercommandantDagestangeneral managerRussian Empirea governor institution

Introduction

The policy of the Russian emperors is of great importance in the issue of the entry of Dagestan into the Russian Empire. So, for example, Peter I, in 1722, undertook a campaign in Dagestan. Upon the emperor's arrival, ambassadors from many possessions of Dagestan came with a request to accept it as subjects of the Russian Empire. For the first time, the emperor was presented with the keys to the gates of the city of Derbent. The fortress of the Holy Cross was laid on the Sulak River by Peter the Great and the emperor instructed the ataman Krasnoshchekov to go with him to punish the Utsmiy of Karakaytag and other rulers of Dagestan who participated in the attacks during the voyage to Derbent (MF JINR).

The decree of Catherine II defined the policy of the Russian Empire concerning the Caucasus as a whole and Dagestan in particular: To defeat the peoples living in the mountains with a single weapon, but more so with justice and justice (Caucasian collection, 1897).

The desire of Alexander I to annex Dagestan to the Russian Empire was due to the geopolitical position of Dagestan. However, Alexander I also had a desire to rid the Russian Empire of the highlanders' raids on their lands. This desire was due to the situation at the beginning of the XIX century. At the beginning of the XIX century, detachments of Dagestanis and Chechens attacked Russian lands with the aim of robbery.

Under Nicholas I, the public administration system was centralized. The institution of governorship was introduced in Dagestan. At the same time, the provincial management system was characteristic of the Russian Empire. This circumstance distinguishes the management system in Dagestan from the Russian provinces. To solve specific problems, the governor appealed to the highest executive body – the Caucasus Committee. In turn, through the Caucasian Committee, he could appeal to the State Council. The viceroy was, at the same time, the commander of the troops of the Caucasus Military District. Thus, the governance of the Caucasus has become isolated. By 1846, the management apparatus was fully formalized, in particular, the Council and the office of the governor.

The accession of Dagestan to the Russian Empire led to changes in the social, legal, economic, and political nature that occurred in Dagestan society. Its fragmentation was put to an end since it included the possessions and unions of rural societies. The relations that developed between the Russian Empire and the peoples of Dagestan in the process of its entry into the Russian Empire are a debatable issue in historical and historical-legal science. Objectivity in covering this issue is of great practical importance.

It is necessary to evaluate their opinion critically to overcome the bias in the authors' approach to reporting on events in Dagestan society. There are opinions of historians or lawyers, their assessment of events in Dagestan society. The period in which the authors wrote about Dagestan society should be taken into account. Some of the authors, when covering the issue of Dagestan joining the Russian Empire, considered the state policy pursued by the empire concerning the peoples of Dagestan as colonial. Another part of the authors saw the progressive role of the entry of Dagestan into the Russian Empire. These authors believed that the progressive consequences were characteristic of both the peoples of Dagestan and the Russian Empire.

So, for example, according to Grankin and Zemlyansky (2006) state national policy of the Russian Empire with the peoples of the North Caucasus was tough. When the North Caucasus region joined the Russian Empire, the empire used the peaceful and military method of colonization.

Fadeev (1961) noted: "The denial of the progressive consequences of the accession of non-Russian peoples to Russia is also methodologically flawed as the silence of the reactionary essence of the national-colonial policy of tsarism" (p. 54).

According to Ataev (2003), "The accession of Dagestan to Russia, a country with a developing progressive culture, and advanced socio-political movement was a historically progressive phenomenon" (p. 72).

Gapurov et al. (2008) believe that "military and violent methods prevail in the politics of the Russian Empire in the North Caucasus" (p. 47).

Mutieva (2017) believes that the accession of Dagestan to the Russian Empire led to the deformation of the traditional system of Dagestan society that existed for centuries.

According to Hasanov and Gazieva (2018), the accession of Dagestan to Russia was a controversial and complex process, which involved mixing the interests of the tsarist administration and residents who were representatives of various social groups.

Summarizing the opinions of the authors, we can conclude that the entry of Dagestan into the Russian Empire was of increasing importance not only for Dagestan but also for Russia. This conclusion is based on the fact that the Russian Empire expansion led to the external security of Dagestan. Dagestan was the subject of disputes and clashes between Iran and Turkey.

Problem Statement

Dagestan is the southernmost subject of the Russian Federation. Dagestan is a complex sector of geopolitics. The border status of Dagestan plays a significant role in ensuring the strength of the geopolitical potential of the Russian Federation. Politicians and scientists agree that the situation in the south of Russia, for many signs, continues to be alarming. Here, the strategy of the federal centre is aimed at actively opposing the threat of external interference, maintaining the sovereignty and territorial unity of the country, maintaining stability in the North Caucasus region. In this regard, the need to study the history of the entry of Dagestan into the Russian Empire.

Research Questions

The objectives of the study are 1) to assess the process of Dagestan joining the Russian Empire; 2) a characteristic of the policy of the Russian Empire to the peoples of the North Caucasus, in particular, Dagestan; 3) analysis of the forms of public authority and military administrative administration in Dagestan in the pre-revolutionary period.

Purpose of the Study

The study aims to analyze the process of Dagestan joining the Russian Empire, which stretched over many years and was very controversial.

Research Methods

In exploring the issue of Dagestan joining the Russian Empire, the author uses a sociocultural approach. The sociocultural approach allows considering Dagestan as a sociocultural space, as the unity of the territory, social relations, and culture. The sociocultural approach helps moves away from the formational approach to the development of a society that prevails in Russian science.

Findings

The process of Dagestan joining into the Russian Empire was continuing and was not completed by the conclusion of the Gulistan Peace Treaty in 1813.

During the reign of Peter I, Russia wanted to assert its authority over Dagestan, namely over the Derbent Khanate and Tabasaran. In 1734, following an agreement with the Iranian conqueror Nadir Shah, the imperial troops left Derbent. In 1796, Russian troops again occupied Derbent and its environs, approached Azerbaijan (Baku), but then again left for the Terek, although not for long.

In the early period of the administrative and legal subordination of the North Caucasus, the imperial government tried to conduct a "new" policy. The "new" policy was based on non-interference in the internal affairs of the Dagestan rulers. In the first third of the XIX century, the geopolitical situation in the Caucasus was due to the desire of the Russian Empire to complete domination in this region.

In 1802, a meeting of Dagestan and Azerbaijani rulers was held in Georgievsk. On December 26, 1802, the St. George Treaty was signed on the formation of a Russian structure from these possessions, which included 12 articles (Berger, 1868).

It stated that the rulers should be loyal to Russia, remain calm in their possessions, treat all disputes in a friendly manner; and if they disagree, resolve disputes through an arbitration court, which consisted of the owners who signed the contract (Berger, 1868).

On July 22, 1806, Lieutenant General Glazenap solemnly accepted the silver keys to the city of Derbent. A Russian flag was hoisted above the Naryn-Kala citadel. Residents were sworn in "for eternal citizenship of the Russian sovereign" (Aliev, 2006; Potto, 1901).

In 1811, the khanates entered the citizenship of Russia: Akhtyparinsky, Altyparynsky, Dokuzparysky, Miskindzhinsky. The traditional script was used for registration: the foreman in the presence of Russian officers took an oath of allegiance to the Russian empire, the conditions that were given by the Caucasian command were proposed and signed.

At the beginning of 1812, Kyura became part of the Russian Empire, the management of which under special conditions was entrusted to Aslanbek.

They joined the Russian Empire: July 22, 1806 – the Derbent Khanate, December 14, 1811 – the Kuryn Khanate, June 12, 1820 – the Kazikumukh Khanate (Aliev, 2006).

After Dagestan was annexed to the Russian Empire, the administration displaced objectionable rulers. Rulers were appointed, which were controlled by the commanders of the military unit. Concerning local rulers, the administration followed flexible tactics, attracting them with promises of benefits, distribution of officer ranks, and salaries. For example, in 1799, Rustem-kadiya was accepted into Russian citizenship with an annual salary of 150 rubles. However, if necessary, she used both threats and military force.

In 1812, the Derbent and Cuban provinces were formed, led by Russian military leaders who carried out the highest administrative functions. The administration of any province included the commandant, city court, and the treasury. In 1812, city courts were established in the Cuban and Derbent provinces.

After signing the Gulistan Peace Treaty in the Gulistan tract in Karabakh on October 24, 1813, Persia recognized the accession of the khanates such as Karabakh, Ganja, Sheki, Shirvan, Derbent, Cuban, Baku, Talysh to the Russian Empire. Dagestan, Georgia, with the Suragel province, Imereti, Guria, Mingrelia, and Abkhazia were also annexed. Both parties acquired the right to trade in each other's territories. The entire contract consisted of 11 articles (PSZRI-I, 1830; Yuzefovich, 1869). It became the first diplomatic act in which the fact of the accession of Dagestan to Russia was legally formalized. Dagestan was included in the Russian Empire "de jure." It should be clarified that registration of events that have already taken place is considered legal, and the real incorporation of Dagestan into the Russian Empire took place much later.

After the entry of Dagestan into the Russian Empire, the institutions of public power in Dagestan are transformed. For the peoples of Dagestan, imperial power established a military administrative administration, and all the supreme power in Dagestan was concentrated in the hands of the commander in chief. In Dagestan, the Russian government was established.

In 1840, according to the project of Baron P.V. Ghana, the Transcaucasian Territory was divided into two parts: the western, which was called the Georgian-Imereti province, and the eastern, called the Caspian region. This project became law, approved by the Council of State, and approved by Nicholas I (PSZRI-II, 1847). The head of the department was the general manager. Under him, the council of the primary department functioned. The Council of the Main Directorate dealt with the most significant issues related to the administration of the Territory and supervised the institutions under its jurisdiction. The Caspian region included the provinces of Derbent and Cuban, which were transformed into counties. The Derbent district included the city of Derbent, Ulus Magal, as well as Tabasaran and Kaitag estates; Cuban County – Cuban province and unions of rural societies in the Samur Valley. It can be said that the management of the newly formed counties in the Territory of Dagestan was organized approximately in the same way as in the counties of the inner provinces of Russia. However, they did not take into account local and national characteristics. The lower level link in the county was the district assessor, who had all the full power. The chief bailiff played a mediating role between the local population and representatives of the Russian administrative authorities. The county treasury was to keep records and collect various taxes. The county court dealt with criminal cases. The county governor supervised the county. At the same time, in Derbent and Cuban counties of the Caspian region, there were political reasons and an alarming situation. In this regard, in Dagestan, power was entrusted to the military-district authorities, which did not depend on the regional authorities and exercised the highest police power. The general manager administered this body. His primary task was to ensure security and peace in Dagestan (DSC RAS, 1845). The chief executive had to suppress the armed demonstrations promptly, prevent and punish for the commission of political and criminal crimes.

In 1845, to centralize governance in the Caucasus, the Caucasian governorate was established. Sovereignty was approved by Decree of Nicholas I of November 27, 1844. According to this Decree, the post of the chief manager was replaced by the post of Caucasus governor. The viceroy single-handedly resolved all issues of the ministerial authority and could turn directly to the emperor.

In December 1846, the Derbent province was created in Dagestan, which was managed by the military governor. The governor also controlled the civilian unit. His primary task was to monitor the political situation and internal routine in the province.

Confirmation that the power introduced by the Russian Empire caused conflicts in Dagestan society is the imamate of Shamil. The Imamamat of Shamil united the population of Dagestan and Chechnya, which opposed the Russian Empire. In Andi, Shamil was elected imam. Morel (1854) states: "Shamil is a prophet, sultan and general of the Caucasus" (p. 34).

Mackie (1856) writes about the imamate of Shamil: "Where there were tribes before, now there is a state, where there were many warlike and hereditary leaders, now there is one supreme ruler, law and order reign here; this is an organized defense system with a concentration of strength and unity of action” (p. 82).

The imamate equalized dependent groups of the population with other highlanders in rights (Ovsyannikov, 2018).

In the hands of Imam Shamil, concentrated military, political, and spiritual functions. The supreme authority under Imam Shamil was Divan Khan (State Council) and the Council of Scientists, later transformed into a congress of naibs. Their competence included solving the most critical issues of the imamate. Shamil divided the entire territory of the imamate into naibs, which were ruled by naibs. With the development of the political life of the imamate, people's congresses were transformed into congresses of naibs and the top clergy, which had lost the character of a higher authority (Hammer, 1998). Naibs also collected taxes, organized military campaigns, and recruited people.

In 1859, in Gunib, Imam Shamil was captured by Russian troops, and the entry of Dagestan possessions into the Russian Empire, which had not previously taken its citizenship, coincided with the capture of Imam Shamil.

Conclusion

The note, compiled from the reports of Adjutant General Grabbe, contains information on the state of affairs of the left flank of the Caucasian line. According to the data in this note, from the time of the destruction of Akhulgo at the end of August 1839, until the end of hostilities on this flank on November 24, 1840 (Golovin, 1838). In a note to Adjutant General Grabbe, it is noted that 60 possessions of Dagestan became part of the Russian Empire voluntarily.

Prudent in the policy of the Russian Empire concerning the peoples of Dagestan was non-interference in the internal affairs of possessions. The Russian Empire did not allow the subordination of territories by force of arms since it could cause indignation of the highlanders. The Russian Empire made successful efforts to establish trade and economic relations between Russia and Dagestan.

However, one of the features of the imperial military-administrative administration in Dagestan during the period under review was that the administrative division of the territory of Dagestan occurred without taking into account local specifics, national characteristics. Besides, measures in the socio-economic sphere, military administration caused discontent among the population.

In parallel, the Russian Empire followed a policy of weakening the influence of the khanates. The imperial administration deprived individual rulers of the region in the question of their powers with a tendency to attract local rulers to their side. Based on the "Highest approved provision on the division of the Transcaucasian Territory" of December 14, 1846, the khanates were abolished (PSZRI-II, 1847). A gradual transition from the public authority of the traditional Dagestan society to the institutions of public authority of the Russian Empire began. When Dagestan became part of the Russian Empire, both military and judicial functions were concentrated in the hands of the military commander in chief.

The accession of Dagestan to the Russian Empire put an end to the fragmentation of Dagestan, and also contributed to ensuring external security.

The development of Russian-Dagestan relations has become a prerequisite for ensuring security and public order, the perception of secular European education, and legal awareness in the region.

The process of accession of Dagestan to imperial Russia cannot be called complete even after the accession of individual unions of rural societies of Dagestan, Derbent, and Tabasaran possessions, which expressed Russia's humility in the first ten years of the 19th century.

Nevertheless, in connection with the accession of Dagestan to Russia in the 1st half of the 19th century, the political map of Dagestan was wholly changed. Therefore, a new administrative-territorial division was introduced, introduced by the imperial authorities.

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