Formation and service of Streltsy units of Terek at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries.

Abstract

The Terek Streltsy were a major part of the garrison and a major part of the town's residents. They influenced the development of political events both in the Caucasus and beyond its borders. But until now the Terek Streltsy have not been the object of a special scientific study. Special attention in the article is paid to such issues of the history of Streltsy units as their number and composition, participation in hostilities and other services: escorting ambassadors to Georgia, conveying Georgian or Persian ambassadors, as well as representatives of the peoples of the Northern Caucasus to Moscow, delivering letters to Georgia, Persia, Moscow, to Caucasian rulers, and collecting materials about the Caucasus and the neighboring states and peoples. The main conclusions of the author are that Terek Streltsy units, despite their small number, took part in important historical events. The 1614 march of Terek Streltsy units to Astrakhan and their defeat of Ivan Zarutsky strengthened the rule of the new dynasty and restored the unity of the country after the Time of Troubles Events. Military actions of Streltsy units also strengthened the Tsarist power in the Caucasus. Streltsy units of Terek provided diplomatic relations with Georgia by guarding the ambassadors. Streltsy soldiers also enabled communication between Moscow and the Terek city with the peoples of the Caucasus and collected information about these peoples. Thus, not only in military, but also in peaceful, diplomatic and political relations in the region, Terek Streltsy played an important role.