Double Identity in Favor of Colonial Strategy: Pavel Tsitsianov and the Foundation of Russian Colonialism in South Caucasus (1803-1806)

Abstract

This study examines a less-studied aspect of Paul Tsitsianov's character. The main difference between this military figure and the commanders preceding and following him in the Caucasus was his Georgian origin and double identity. The main question this study addresses is thus what relationship can be identified between the Georgian lineage of Tsitsianov and his policy in advancing Tsarist Russia's colonialist strategy in the Caucasus. The present descriptive-analytical study is based on analyzing the information gathered from primary sources as well as Persian, English, and Russian archived documents to answer the aforementioned question. In other words, this study seeks to provide a descriptive account of Tsitsianov's measures while analyzing his cultural mentality and military behavior in relation to the research question. The results indicate that a meaningful relationship between Tsitsianov's double cultural origin and character, and his behavior pattern can be identified. In fact, Tsitsianov's coercive and humiliating treatment of the royal family of Georgia and the Iranian Khans of South Caucasus and his use of traditional methods to further Russian policy in the region signified his double identity and the contradictions within Russian colonial strategy toward South Caucasus.