The Policy of the Russian Empire on Managing the Cossacks and Highlanders in the 19th century

Abstract

The article analyzes the main stages and features of the imperial policy on managing the Cossacks and highlanders in the 19th century. The policy was aimed at the formation of Cossack regiments and their integration in the system of a unified military administration. The Cossacks were involved in rear and border service, the construction of new fortresses and the foundation of villages. During the Caucasian War, the number of Cossacks increased due to the assignment of other categories of the population to them, including highlanders. During this period, the military form of governance of the Cossack and highland population was formed. The newly established Caucasian Viceroyalty played a significant role in the transformation of the Caucasus. Upon completion of military operations, a new form of governance of the local population was implemented – military-people’s governance. Along with the military leadership, mountain elites were involved in making administrative and judicial decisions. The established mountain courts relied on the laws of the Russian Empire, adats and sharia. In the last third of the 19th century in the Kuban and Terek regions, a transition to civil and then military governance took place. At the same time, elements of military-national governance were preserved in the North Caucasus. In the Dagestan Kuban and Terek regions, mountain courts continued their activities. The number of Cossacks decreased, and some villages got the civilian status. Universal military service of the Cossacks was replaced by conscription. Despite the inconsistency and situational nature of many management decisions, the imperial policy for governing the Cossacks and mountaineers as a whole made it possible to solve the problems of pacification and integration of the Caucasus into Russia.