კანდელაკი, დალი / Kandelaki, Dali2025-04-292025-04-292025-02-07თბილისის 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.: 47-52https://dspace.tsu.ge/handle/123456789/2628In 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.otherTheses