Pristav Directorates in the Central Caucasus and Southern Steppe Ciscaucasia, 1800–1803: Migration as a Transformation Factor

Introduction. The article examines migration as a factor for the transformation of the system of pristav directorates in the Central Caucasus and southern steppe Ciscaucasia between 1800 and1803. Goals. The work seeks to identify some specifics of how authorities and officials would approach the issue of resettling Iki-Dorbet Kalmyks that had left lands of the Don Host for those of Astrakhan Governorate in 1800, to outline certain features inherent to the transformation of pristav directorates in 1800–1803 through the example of the established position of Chief Pristav and subsequent separation of the latter’s office. Materials and methods. The study employs the chronological, historical genetic, historical systemic methods, and involves an institutional approach to analyze some newly discovered documentary narratives from the Russian State Historical Archive and National Archive of Kalmykia. Results. Particular attention is given to the circumstances and key directions of activities undertaken by authorities to determine the territorial jurisdiction (subordination) of the Chief Pristav’s Office in 1800–1801, with due regard of how territorial jurisdictions of other pristav directorates would be reshaped after the Kalmyk People’s Chief Pristav’s Office was established in 1801. Conclusions. In the early eighteenth century, internal migrations remained an important factor when it came to transform the then system of pristav directorates across the Central Caucasus and southern steppe Ciscaucasia. The measures undertaken by authorities did contribute to the strengthening of the Russian government apparatus in the south of the country, and yielded somewhat comfortable conditions for the incorporation of the region’s indigenous peoples — into Imperial Russia’s political and legal environments.