Administrative policy of the Russian Empire in the Eastern Caucasus (the case of Dagestan)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the administrative policy of the Russian Empire in the Eastern Caucasus, namely in the Dagestan region in the 2nd half of the 19th – early 20th century. The issues of studying the relationship between the center and the regions of Russia on the basis of the historical past are becoming relevant today. They help to identify negative and positive aspects in the history of the relationship between the Russian state and the peoples of the Eastern Caucasus, allow an objective look at the past, learn lessons and experience at the present stage. The purpose of the research is to consider the process of Russia’s administrative policy in Dagestan after the Caucasian War, to characterize the positive and negative aspects of the policy pursued. During the research, the methods of comparative historical analysis, synthesis and generalization have been used, as well as the problem-chronological method, the principle of objectivity and historicism, which has made it possible to analyze various episodes and phenomena from a historical point of view.

The active inclusion of the territories of the Eastern Caucasus into the Russian Empire dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, when the first administrative systems of governance were cre

ated. In the 60–70s of 19th century they developed into a “military-people’s” system of government. The introduction of various management systems, the transition from one to another show the ability of the tsarist administration to adapt to local conditions, which led to a compromise between the in-terests of the tsarist government and the management of the mountain peoples.