Education, History
The Persian campaign of Peter the Great (1722-1723). The Russo-Persian War
The Persian campaign of 1722-1723. Was committed to the southeastern part of Transcaucasia and Dagestan. Its goal was to restore the trade route from India and Central Asia to Europe.
Prerequisites
Peter the Great paid much attention to economics and trade. In 1716, he sent a detachment of Bekovich-Cherkassky to Bukhara and Khiva across the Caspian. During the expedition it was necessary to study the way to India, to explore the gold deposits in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya. In addition, the task was to persuade the Emir of Bukhara to friendship, and Khan Khiva to Russia's citizenship. But the first expedition was completely disastrous. Khiva Khan persuaded Bekovich-Cherkassky to disperse the detachment, and then attacked separate groups, destroying them. The Persian campaign of Peter the Great was also conditioned by a message transmitted through the representatives of Israel Ori from Syunik meliks. In it they asked the Russian Tsar for help. Peter promised to provide support after the end of the battles with Sweden.
Situation on the coast
The history of Persia at the beginning of the 18th century is marked by the intensification of activity in the Eastern Caucasus. As a result, all the coastal territories of Dagestan were subordinated. Persian ships controlled the Caspian Sea. However, this did not put an end to the feuds of local rulers. On the territory of Dagestan there were violent clashes. Turkey was gradually drawn into them. All these events disturbed Russia. The state traded through Dagestan with the East. Because of the activity of Persia, all the paths were actually cut. Russian merchants suffered huge losses. Negatively, the whole situation was reflected in the state of the treasury.
The immediate reason
Having won the recent Northern War, Russia began preparing to send troops to the Caucasus. The direct cause was the robbery and beating of Russian merchants in Shemakhi. The organizer of the attack was the Lezghian owner Daud-bek. On August 7, 1721, armed mobs ravaged Russian shops in the courtyard, beat and dispersed the clerks. Lezgins and Kumyks looted goods worth about half a million rubles.
Preparation
The Russian emperor learned that Shah Tahmasp II was defeated by Afghans from his capital. In the state of turmoil. There was a threat that the Turks, taking advantage of the situation, would attack first and appear before the Russians in the Caspian. It was very risky to postpone the Persian campaign. Preparation began in winter. In the Volga cities of Yaroslavl, Uglich, Nizhny Novgorod, Tver began the hasty construction of ships. In the years 1714-1715. Bekovich-Cherkassky compiled a map of the eastern and northern coasts of the Caspian Sea. In 1718 the description was also made by Urusov and Kozhin, and in 1719-1720. - Verdun and Soymonov. So the general map of the Caspian was drawn up.
Plans
The Persian campaign of Peter the Great was supposed to begin from Astrakhan. He planned to go along the coast of the Caspian Sea. Here he intended to capture Derbent and Baku. After that, it was planned to go to the river. Chickens to put a fortress there. Then the road went to Tiflis to assist the Georgians in the battles against the Ottoman Empire. From there, the military flotilla was to arrive in Russia. In case of the beginning of hostilities, contact was established with Vakhtang VI (Kartliiski Tsar), and with Astvatsatur I (Armenian Catholicos). Astrakhan and Kazan became the centers of preparation and organization of the campaign. Out of 80 field companies, 20 battalions were created. Their total number was 22 thousand people. With 196 artillery pieces. On the way to Astrakhan, Peter agreed to support the Kalmyk Khan Ayuka. As a result, the Kalmyk cavalry joined the detachments, numbering 7 thousand people. June 15, 1722 the emperor arrived in Astrakhan. Here he decided to send 22,000 infantrymen on the sea, and seven dragoon regiments (9,000 men) - overland from Tsaritsyn. Major General Kropotov commanded the last. On the ground, Don and Ukrainian Cossacks were also sent. In addition, 3 thousand Tatars were hired. In the Kazan Admiralty, transport ships were built (a total number of about 200) for 6,000 sailors.
Manifesto to the peoples of the Caucasus and Persia
It was published on July 15 (26). The author of the message was Dmitry Cantemir, who was in charge of the maritime office. This prince possessed oriental languages, which enabled him to play an important role in the campaign. Cantemir made a set Arabic script, created a special printing house. The Manifesto was translated into Persian, Tatar and Turkish.
First step
The Persian campaign began from Moscow. To accelerate the course of the rivers along the way, variable rowers were prepared. By the end of May, Peter arrived in Nizhny Novgorod, June 2 - in Kazan, 9 - in Simbirsk, 10 - in Samara, 13 - in Saratov, 15 - 1 Tsaritsyn, 19 - in Astrakhan. 2.06 ships from Nizhny Novgorod also came out with ammunition and soldiers. They also went to Astrakhan. The ships went in five rows one after another. July 18 all ships went to sea. The commander was Count Fedor Matveyevich Apraksin. On July 20, the ships entered the Caspian Sea. Within a week, Fedor Matveyevich Apraksin led ships along the western coast. By early August Kabardian detachments had joined the army. They were commanded by the princes Aslan-Bek and Murza Cherkassky.
Endirey
July 27, 1722, the landing occurred in the Agrakhan Bay. The Russian Tsar first came to the land of Dagestan. On the same day, Peter sent a detachment led by Veteran to capture Andriy. However, on approach to the settlement in the gorge Kumyks attacked him. Highlanders sheltered in the rocks and behind the forest. They managed to disable 2 officers and 80 soldiers. However, the detachment quickly regrouped and went on the offensive. The enemy was defeated, and Erdirei was burned. The rest of the North Kumik rulers expressed their readiness to serve the Russians. On August 13, the troops entered Tarki. Here Peter was met with honor. Shamkhal Aldy-Giray presented the Russian tsar with the Argamak, the troops received wine, food and fodder. After a while the detachments entered the Utamish possession, which was located not far from Derbent. Here they were attacked by the 10-thousandth detachment of Sultan Mahmud. However, as a result of a brief battle, the Russians managed to turn the army into flight. The village was burnt.
G. Derbent
The Russian tsar was very loyal to those who agreed to submit, and very cruel to the resisted. The news of this soon spread all over the district. In this regard, Derbent did not have any resistance. On August 23, the governor met a few distinguished townspeople and met Russians a mile from the city. All fell on their knees, bringing to Peter the silver keys from the gate. The Russian tsar accepted the ruler gently and promised to not introduce troops into the city. However, not all residents, but mainly Shiites, provided a warm welcome. They occupied a privileged position, because they were the mainstay of the Safavid domination. By August 30, the Russians had come to the river. Rubas and laid the fortress in the immediate vicinity of the territory inhabited by Tabasarans. Under the rule of Peter there were many villages. For several days all the neighborhoods that ran between the rivers Belbel and Yalama also became subordinate to the Russians.
The reaction of local authorities
The feudal lords in Dagestan differed in their attitude towards the appearance of Russians. Hadji-Dawood began to actively prepare for defense. His allies Ahmed III and Surkhay tried to sit tight in their possessions, taking a wait-and-see attitude. Hadji-Davud was well aware that he alone could not confront the attackers. In this regard, hoping that Ahmed III and Surkhay will help, he tried at the same time to establish relations with the main rivals of the Russian Tsar - the Turks.
Completion of the first stage
The Persian campaign suggested joining not only the territories of Dagestan, but practically all of the Transcaucasus. The Russian army began to prepare for advancement to the south. In fact, the first part of the trek was over. Continue the way prevented the storms on the sea, which made transportation of food difficult. The Russian Tsar left the garrison under the leadership of Colonel Junker in Derbent, and he himself went to Russia on foot. On the way at the river. Sulak he laid the fortress. Holy Cross for the defense of the border. From here Peter with the army went on water to Astrakhan. After his departure, the command of detachments in the Caucasus was transferred to Major-General Matyushkin.
Rasht
By the autumn of 1722, over the province of Gilan, the threat of the occupation of Afghans was threatened. The latter concluded a secret agreement with the Turks. The governor of the province turned to the Russians for help. Matyushkin decided to preempt the enemy. Quite quickly, 14 ships were prepared for 2 battalions with artillery. On November 4, the vessels left Astrakhan and a month later Enzeli appeared. The small town of Resht was taken without a fight. The following year, in spring in Gilan was sent an increase in the number of 2 thousand people. Foot soldiers with 24 guns. They were commanded by Major-General Levashov. Having united, the Russian detachments occupied the whole province. Thus, control over the southern part of the Caspian coast was established.
Baku
Still from Derbent, the Russian tsar sent Lieutenant Lunin to this city with an invitation to surrender. However, the Baku residents were influenced by Daud-bek agents. They did not let Lunin into the city and refused to help the Russians. June 20, 1773 Matyushkin set course for Baku from Astrakhan. On July 28, the troops entered the city. The authorities, greeting them, gave Matyushkin the keys to the gate. After occupying the city, the detachments settled in 2 caravan-sheds and established control over all important strategic points. Having received news that Sultan Muhammad-Hussein-bek kept in touch with Hadji-Davud, Matyushkin ordered him to be taken into custody. After that, he and three brothers with property were sent to Astrakhan. Derghah-Kuli-bey was appointed Baku ruler. He was elevated to the rank of colonel. Prince Baryatinsky was appointed as commandant. The campaign of 1723 allowed the capture of almost the entire Caspian coast. This, in turn, caused serious damage to the positions of Hadji-Dawood. Having lost the Caspian provinces, he actually lost the opportunity to recreate an independent and strong state in the territory of Lezgistan and Shirvan. Haji-Dawood was at that time in the citizenship of the Turks. They did not give him any support, as they were busy solving their own problems.
Results
The Persian campaign was very successful for the Russian government. In fact, control was established over the coast of the Eastern Caucasus. The successes of the Russian army and the invasion of the Ottoman troops forced Persia to sign a peace treaty. He was imprisoned in Petersburg. In accordance with the agreement of September 12 (23), 1723, extensive territories left for Russia. Among them were the provinces of Shirvan, Astrabad, Mazandaran, Gilan. We went to the Russian Tsar and Rasht, Derbent, Baku. From the advance to the central parts of Transcaucasia, however, had to be abandoned. This was due to the fact that in the summer of 1723 Ottoman troops entered these territories. They devastated Georgia, the western lands of modern Azerbaijan and Armenia. In 1724 the Treaty of Constantinople was signed with the Porte. In accordance with him, the Sultan recognized the acquisitions of the Russian Empire in the Caspian region, and Russia, in turn, - his rights in the territory of the Western Transcaucasia. Later, relations with the Turks greatly deteriorated. To prevent a new war, the Russian government, interested in an alliance with Persia, returned all the Caspian territories to it under the Ganja Treaty and the Treaty of Rasht.
Conclusion
Peter timely undertook his campaign. Its success was ensured by a sufficient number of people, ships and guns. In addition, the Russian Tsar was able to enlist the support of his neighbors. They readily responded to his requests. So, for example, the Russian troops were replenished with Kabardian wars, hired Tatars. The preparation for the campaign was organized in a sufficiently organized way. She did not take much time altogether. Particular importance in the march had transport ships. They ensured the uninterrupted supply of provisions. Of no small importance were the strategic maneuvers of the Russians. Given that the area was unfamiliar, they were able to establish control over virtually the entire territory. Great problems could have been delivered to the Russians by the Turks. They exerted strong pressure on Hadji-Davud. He, in turn, influenced the Baku people and other rulers. Nevertheless, even this could not prevent the realization of Peter's plans. If it were not for the autumn storms in the Caspian Sea, it is quite possible that it would go even further. However, it was decided to return. Nevertheless, Russian troops remained on the controlled territories. Several fortresses were established. In the villages and cities, Russian officers were present at the office. On the territory of the Eastern Caucasus, by the time of Peter's sailing to Russia, there was no single uncontrolled settlement. The situation for some highlanders was complicated by the inaction of the Allies. Some of them, perhaps, would have resisted, but given the inequality of forces, they preferred to surrender. Most of the battles took place bloodlessly or with insignificant losses from the Russians. In many respects this was due to the fact that the local rulers knew the behavior of Peter with submissive. If he said that he would not introduce troops into the self-surrendering cities, then he held back the promise. However, the Russians were quite tough with the resisted. The key moment was the seizure of Baku. With the occupation of the city, the Russians established control almost along the entire coast. This was the most effective and large seizure. Against the background of the recent victory in the Northern War, the success of the Persian campaign further exalted the Russian tsar. It should also be taken into account that within the country the emperor carried out active reforms that implied the Europeanization of the state. All this in a complex made Russia really a powerful power, whose participation in foreign policy relations became mandatory.
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