Ruler of “Stable Justice and Strong Order”: Administrative Activities of M. T. Loris-Melikov in Dagestan

The article analyzes the areas of administrative activity of Major General M. T. Loris-Melikov as the head of Southern Dagestan and the mayor of Derbent: the creation of the Kaytago-Tabasaran District Administration, a permanent militia, the improvement of the urban infrastructure of Derbent, the construction of new public and cultural facilities in the city and the region. Based on archival documents, biographical information about M. T. Loris-Melikov, the construction of the Armenian church Surb Amenaprkich, the relations of the Derbent mayor with the private shipping company “Caucasus and Mercury” are provided in detail. In many ways, the successful resolution of a few issues and problems in the territory entrusted to M. T. LorisMelikov was due to his ability to establish communication with the local population, considering its traditions, language and culture.