რუსული ჯარი კავკასიაში: რუსი მწერლების შეფასებები და ისტორიები
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Date
2025-02-07
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ივანე ჯავახიშვილის სახელობის თბილისის სახელმწიფო უნივერსიტეტის გამომცემლობა
Abstract
In the 19th century, the Caucasus emerged as a pivotal region for
the Russian Empire, occupying a central place in its military and political
strategy. The conquest of the Caucasus, spanning nearly a century
and a half, was a multifaceted and prolonged process, characterized by
the intersection of colonial ambitions, national liberation struggles, and
religious, social, civilizational, and ethnic conflicts. Despite the changes
in the combat situation in the Caucasus, there has always been a permanent participant there – the Russian army, which gives reason to consider
it as an independent factor in the wars against the Caucasus region.
Many facts about the actions of the Russian army in the Caucasus
two centuries ago are vividly captured in the works of 19th-century Russian writers. They often wrote about their impressions, emphasizing the difficulties that the Russian army faced. The authors also wrote about the strategy and tactics of the Russian army. They unanimously noted the difficulty of military operations in the mountainous terrain. Their works
place significant emphasis on the relationship between the Russian army
and the local population. Some authors advocated for the use of severe
measures to suppress resistance of those who fought for their freedom,
endorsing actions such as deporting local communities and even
destroying their homes. In contrast, others expressed sympathy for the
indigenous population, describing them as proud and freedom-loving.
These authors highlighted the cultural differences, and the challenges encountered during the region’s integration into the Russian Empire.
Russian authors held diverse opinions on the army’s actions, ranging
from critical assessments to patriotic admiration. Many conveyed ambivalences, recognizing the effectiveness of the Russian strategy while
condemning the methods used to implement it.
“This should have happened long ago. We have tolerated the wicked
for centuries; now it’s time to enjoy the use of weapons.” This statement,
reflecting the prevailing sentiment among Russian soldiers prior to the
capture of the city of Ganja, is cited by the Russian writer Pyotr Mukhanov
(1799–1854) in his essay, “The Capture of Ganja (Letter to R**)”. This
single phrase alone clearly conveys their attitude towards the region and
its Muslim population. The essay is based on the account of Valerian
Madatov, an eyewitness to this battle. The author discusses the strategic
significance of the Caucasus region and the objectives of the Russian
Empire. He provides a detailed account of the political landscape, the
siege of Ganja, and the events that followed, including specific dates
and key figures. Additionally, he examines the interactions between the
Russians and the local population, shedding light on their traditions and
moral values. The essay says that the Russian army was distinguished by
its organized strategy, endurance and strength, although its actions were
often brutal and overbearing.
In 1844, the novel-pamphlet “Escapades in the Caucasus” was published
in Russia, authored by E. Khamar-Dabanov, the pen name of writer
Ekaterina Lachinova. The events described in the novel unfold between
1838 and 1842. Despite the information spread in society about the Caucasian War, the Russian writer remained with unanswered questions:
Why was the Russian army engaged in this conflict, and what drove them
to wage war against the Caucasians? Why did the war persist endlessly,
despite Russian successes and the subjugation of certain Caucasian
peoples? Under the pseudonym E. Khamar-Dabanov, Ekaterina Lachinova
undertook a truly courageous act by publishing a novel that revealed the
darker aspects of the Caucasian War: cruelty, bureaucratic incompetence,
theft, violence, and the cowardice of Russian officers and officials. E. Lachinova’s work – a novel-pamphlet full of bold ideas – was a challenge to the king and his entourage. The author painted a ruthless portrait of
vulgar, repugnant, selfish and hypocritical individuals. Through the stories
in her novel, she exposed the incompetence of the imperial administration,
the lawlessness and corruption of officials, and the mediocrity
of generals and officers.
The literary works of these and other 19th-century Russian writers
serve as invaluable sources for understanding the geopolitical and cultural
dimensions and context of the Caucasian campaigns. They illuminate
nuanced insights of the region’s history through the perspectives of
both the conquerors and the conquered.
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თბილისის უნივერსიტეტის დაარსებისადმი მიძღვნილი სამეცნიერო კონფერენცია თსუ 107, თეზისები, თბილისი, 2025, გვ.: 47-52 Scientific Conference dedicated to the establishment of the Tbilisi University TSU 107, Theses, Tbilisi, 2025, p.: 47-52