Горцы на стороне Российской империи в вооруженном противостоянии на Кавказе

Abstract

The article reveals the circumstances of recruiting highlanders of the North Caucasus to serve in the ranks of the Russian army during the period of expansion of imperial power in the region. The Russian government saw this practice as a way to reduce their hostile belligerence, which they tried to use in their own interests. The motivation of people who agreed to swear allegiance to the state and fight against its enemies with arms in hand is analyzed. The difficulty of the choice was due to the fact that the enemy in this case could be co-religionists who did not want to recognize the new order established by Russia. There were frequent cases of going over to the enemy's side. This applied both to those highlanders who swore allegiance to the empire and to their rivals. The Russian command has not formed an unambiguous assessment of the effectiveness of such measures. There were those who expressed uncertainty about the loyalty of the police units involved. Others, on the contrary, saw this as serious assistance, strengthening the capabilities of the regular army. It seems that the main result of this practice was the gradual formation of a new perception of reality among the highlanders, and over time they began to feel themselves part of the imperial community.