Cyclical Rebuilding and Elimination of Fortifications on the Sunzha River (1571–1653)
The Regular Army of the Tsardom of Muscovy carried out the cyclical elimination and renewal of its military presence on the lands of the Nokhchi at the mouth of the Sunzha River. The first military base, erected in 1567, was soon destroyed: historian E. N. Kusheva notes that "the town of 1567 was demolished around 1571"[1]. Military historian V. A. Potto indicates the reason for the base's elimination: it "was soon destroyed to appease the Turkish sultan"[2]. Later, the military presence on the lands of the Nokhchi was renewed: historian E. N. Kusheva writes that "in 1577-1578... the Russian town was restored on the Terek River at the mouth of the Sunzha"[1]. However, the second military base was also eliminated: historian E. N. Kusheva indicates that this "Russian town was likewise soon destroyed at the demand of the khan"[1]. The subsequent fortification was rebuilt many times: E. N. Kusheva, compiler of a collection of documents, indicates that the military forces of the Tsardom of Muscovy "rebuilt the ostrog in 1590 and 1635"[3], and also notes that in the intervals "the fortress was abandoned for political reasons in 1605"[3]. Another attempt to gain a foothold on the lands of the Nokhchi took place later: E. N. Kusheva, compiler of the collection of documents, records that "in 1651 a Russian ostrog was built anew on the left bank of the Sunzha"[3]. However, it was soon eliminated for good: compiler E. N. Kusheva indicates that "in 1653 the ostrog was burned by Persian troops and was never rebuilt"[3].
Actors
| ID | Name | Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| G0008 | Tsardom of Muscovy | 2 |
Instruments Applied
| ID | Name | Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| S0010 | Regular Army | 2 |
Procedures Carried Out
The military forces of the Tsardom of Muscovy repeatedly rebuilt the fortified outpost on the lands of the Nokhchi: historian E. N. Kusheva writes that "in 1577 - 1578... the Russian town was reestablished on the Terek River at the mouth of the Sunzha"[1], while the compiler of the collection of documents E. N. Kusheva indicates that the military forces of the Tsardom of Muscovy "rebuilt the ostrog in 1590 and 1635"[3] and that "in 1651 a Russian ostrog was built anew on the left bank of the Sunzha"[3].
The occupation administration of the Tsardom of Muscovy systematically brought armed detachments into the lands of the Nokhchi to hold the bridgehead: the compiler of the collection of documents E. N. Kusheva indicates that at the site of the fortress, "by order of the Terek voivodes, a detachment of streltsy and Cossacks was permanently stationed"[3], and during the siege of 1653 it held "Russian service men, Terek atamans, and Cossacks"[3].