Events of the Russo-Iranian War of 1826 1828. Russo-Iranian Wars. Start of hostilities

The situation in the East on the eve of the war

In the 16th century, Georgia broke up into several small feudal states that were constantly at war with Muslim empires: Turkey and Iran. In 1558, the first diplomatic relations between Moscow and Kakheti began, and in 1589 the Russian Tsar Fyodor I Ioannovich offered his protection to the kingdom. Russia was far away, and it was not possible to provide effective assistance. In the 18th century, Russia regained interest in the Transcaucasus. During Persian campaign made an alliance with King Vakhtang VI, but there were no successful hostilities. Russian troops retreated to the north, Vakhtang was forced to flee to Russia, where he died.

Ekaterina II rendered all possible assistance to the king of Kartli-Kakheti, Heraclius II, who sent insignificant military forces to Georgia. In 1783, Heraclius signed the Treaty of Georgievsk with Russia, which established a Russian protectorate in exchange for military protection.

In 1801, Paul I signed a decree on joining Russia Eastern Caucasus, and in the same year, his son Alexander I created the Georgian province on the territory of the Kartli-Kakheti Khanate. With the annexation of Megrelia to Russia in 1803, the borders reached the territory of modern Azerbaijan, and there the interests of the Persian Empire already began.

On January 3, 1804, the Russian army launched an assault on the Ganja fortress, which greatly violated the plans of Persia. The capture of Ganja ensured the security of the eastern borders of Georgia, which were constantly attacked by the Ganja Khanate. Persia began to look for allies for the war with Russia. England became such an ally, which was by no means interested in strengthening Russia's position in this region. London gave guarantees of support, and on June 10, 1804, the Sheikh of Persia declared war on Russia. The war lasted nine years. Another ally of Persia was Türkiye, which constantly waged wars against Russia.

Causes of the war

Historians are inclined to believe that the main causes of the war should be considered:

Expansion of the territory of Russia at the expense of Georgian lands, strengthening the influence of Russians in this region;

Persia's desire to gain a foothold in Transcaucasia;

The unwillingness of the UK to allow a new player into the region, and even more so Russia;

Assistance to Persia from Turkey, which tried to take revenge from Russia for the lost wars at the end of the 18th century.

An alliance was formed against Russia between Persia, Ottoman Empire and the Ganja Khanate, they were assisted by Great Britain. Russia had no allies in this war.

The course of hostilities

The results of the war

With the signing of the Treaty of Gulistan on October 12 (24), 1813, Persia recognized the entry of Eastern Georgia and the northern part of modern Azerbaijan, as well as Imeretia, Guria, Megrelia and Abkhazia into the Russian Empire. Russia also received the exclusive right to maintain a navy in the Caspian Sea. Russia's victory in this war intensified the confrontation between the British and Russian empires in Asia.

Russian-Iranian war of 1826-1828

Situation before the war

Unfortunately, the hostilities did not end there. In Persia, they constantly thought about revenge and revision of the peace treaty concluded in Gulistan. Persian Shah Feth Ali declared that the Gulistan Treaty was invalid and began to prepare for a new war. Once again, Great Britain became the main instigator of Persia. She provided financial and military support to the Shah of Iran. The reason for the start of hostilities were rumors about the St. Petersburg uprising (Decembrists) and the interregnum. The Persian troops were led by Crown Prince Abbas Mirza.

The course of hostilities

The results of the war

The end of the war and the conclusion of the Turkmanchay peace treaty confirmed all the conditions of the Gulistan peace treaty of 1813. Under the agreement, the transition to Russia of part of the Caspian coast to the Astara River was recognized. The Araks became the border between the two states.

At the same time, the Shah of Persia had to pay an indemnity of 20 million rubles. After the Shah pays an indemnity, Russia undertakes to withdraw its troops from the territories controlled by Iran. The Persian Shah promised to grant an amnesty to all residents who collaborated with the Russian troops.

Russo-Persian War 1804-1813 ended with the complete victory of Russia and the signing of the Gulistan Peace Treaty in 1813. The Persian state was forced to recognize the accession to the Russian Empire of Dagestan, the Georgian regions - Kartli, Kakheti, Megrelia, Imeretia, Guria, Abkhazia. Russia received a part of modern Azerbaijan, Baku, Karabakh, Ganja, Shirvan, Sheki, Derbent and Quba khanates. Part of the Talysh Khanate also went to Russian Transcaucasia. Petersburg received the exclusive right to have its own navy on the Caspian Sea.

However, the Persian state did not accept defeat. In addition, it was supported by the powerful British Empire, which did not want to allow Russia to break through to the shores of the Persian Gulf and the Russians to enter India. In 1814, Persia signed an agreement with England, according to which the Persians pledged not to let the Russians and troops of any state pass to India. The British, for their part, promised to help revise the Gulistan Treaty in favor of Persia, and provide financial, military and material assistance to the Persians in the event of a war with Russia. British diplomats put pressure on Turkey and Persia, who went to war with each other in 1821, wanting them to go to war with Russia.

The Persian government considered the international situation in 1825 and the uprising of the "Decembrists" in Russia as favorable circumstances for starting a war with the Russians. In addition, the heir to the throne and ruler of Iranian Azerbaijan, Abbas Mirza, who led the Persian troops during the Russo-Persian war of 1804-1813, continued the reorganization of the army with the help of English and French instructors and believed that the armed forces of Persia were now ready to return the lost lands .

Persia in every possible way delayed the issue of delimitation of border lands in the area of ​​Lake Sevan (Gokcha), not wanting to cede even a small part of the Armenian lands to the Russians. The commander-in-chief of the Russian troops in the Caucasus, General Alexei Yermolov, warned Emperor Nicholas I that the Persians were almost openly preparing for war. The Russian government, due to the escalating conflict with the Ottoman Empire, was ready to cede the southern part of the Talish Khanate to Persia for the neutrality of Persia. Emperor Nikolai Pavlovich, in order to prevent a conflict, sent a diplomatic mission to Shah Feth Ali, headed by Prince Alexander Menshikov. Russia needed peace in the South Caucasus and was ready to make significant concessions.

But the arrival of the Russian mission was perceived by the Persian elite as a sign of Russia's weakness. The embassy of Prince A. S. Menshikov in Tehran could not succeed. Moreover, the Persians intercepted all the letters of the Russian ambassador to the Caucasian commander Yermolov. At this time, the Persian commander-in-chief Abbas-Mirza was gathering troops to the borders of Karabakh. The reserve Persian army was concentrated in Agar. Sardar Erivan received an order to start hostilities. Sardars in Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey were called large dignitaries, heads of tribes or military leaders.

Transcaucasian region at the time of the start of the war (the borders are indicated according to the Gulistan Treaty and the Bucharest Peace).

Start of hostilities

By the beginning of hostilities, the Persian state was able to form a large army trained by English instructors. The number of regular infantry was increased to 38.5 thousand people, the irregular numbered 5 thousand soldiers. The cavalry was still the most numerous part of the Persian army - up to 95 thousand horsemen, plus a separate security detachment of the heir to the throne himself. The artillery park of the army consisted of 42 field guns with 900 gunners. Feth Ali Shah was able to create an army that far outnumbered the Russian troops in Transcaucasia. At the same time, the Persian infantry was trained by Western instructors and equipped in a European way. England generously financed Russia's eastern adversary, although after the start of the war she refused to go to war with Russia, as she promised Tehran, explaining that the Persians were the first to start the war.

Persian commander-in-chief Abbas Mirza, with 60 thousand. army and numerous irregular cavalry, planned to quickly invade Transcaucasia, capture Karabakh, Tiflis, oust the Russians from Georgia and Armenia, and push them back beyond the Terek. The main Persian forces were moved from Tabriz to the Kura region, and auxiliary forces were moved to the Mugan steppe in order to block the exits from Dagestan. In addition, the Persian command counted on the attack of the Caucasian highlanders from the rear against the Russian troops, who were stretched in a narrow strip along the border with Persia and Turkey and had no reserves. The Persians also hoped for the help of the separatists, the Karabakh beks and many influential people in neighboring provinces, who were annoyed by the loss of most of their power over the local population, maintained contacts with Tehran and promised to raise an uprising. The plans of the Persian command could be called a gamble, if not for the extreme small number of Russian troops in such a vast theater of operations.

It should be noted that a huge mass of regular and irregular enemy troops opposed only 10,000. A separate Caucasian Corps, whose forces were scattered over a vast territory to the borders with the Persian state and the Ottoman Empire. On the day of the attack by the Persian army, there were about 3 thousand people directly on the border area with 12 guns scattered over outposts and on fortifications at a great distance from each other. The Persians were opposed by two battalions of the Tiflis infantry regiment and two companies of carabinieri, the Don Cossack regiment of Lieutenant Colonel Andreev (about 500 Cossacks). The head of the border line was the commander of the Tiflis regiment, Colonel Prince L. Ya. Sevarsemidze. In Karabakh, the Russian forces were commanded by Major General Prince V. G. Madatov, and in his absence, Colonel I. A. Reut, commander of the 42nd Jaeger Regiment, located in the Chinakhchi and Shushi region. One battalion of the 42nd regiment was scattered across the Shirvan and Nukhin provinces. Long before the start of the war, Yermolov asked for reinforcements, but they had not yet been sent by the start of the war.

On July 16, 1826, a 16,000-strong group of a relative of the Persian ruling family, the Erivan Serdar Hussein Khan Qajar, reinforced by 12 thousand Kurdish cavalry, without declaring war, crossed the Russian border in the Mirak region. Persian troops invaded the territory of Karabakh and the Talysh Khanate. The border "zemstvo guards", which consisted of local Muslims, with rare exceptions, did not offer resistance, retreating or going over to the side of the enemy.

Yermolov ordered Reut to hold Shusha with all his might and transfer the families of noble beks to the fortress, thereby ensuring the safety of those who supported the Russians, and those who were hostile to Russia, to use as hostages, and deprived them of the opportunity to go over to the side of the enemy, organize an uprising in the Russian rear. Yermolov also ordered to leave Bombak and Shuragel.

The beginning of the war was difficult for the few Russian troops. The Russians were forced to retreat to Karaklis. Gumry and Karaklis were soon blocked by Persian troops. The Persians were moving towards Balyk-chai, knocking down Russian posts. Brother of the Erivan Sardar, Gassan-aga from 5 thousand. detachment of irregular cavalry invaded Russian territory between Mount Alagyoz (Aragats) and the border with Turkey. Kurds and Karapapahis (“black hats”, a Turkic ethnic group) plundered and burned Armenian villages on the way to Gumry, capturing herds of cattle and herds of horses. They destroyed the Armenian village of Lesser Karaklis and began to attack the defenders in Greater Karaklis.

Heroic defense of Shushi

July 18-19, 1826 40 thousand. The Persian army under the command of Abbas-Mirza crossed the Araks at the Khudoperinsky bridge, invading Russia from the Erivan Khanate. Colonel Iosif Antonovich Reut, having received news of the invasion of the Persian army, withdrew the forces in the Karabakh region to the Shusha fortress. The garrison of the fortress consisted of 1300 people - 6 companies of the 42nd Jaeger regiment and Cossacks from the Molchanov 2nd regiment with 4 guns. Three companies of the 42nd regiment and a hundred Cossacks under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Nazimka could not break through to Shusha from Geryus, where they were located. First, they were attacked by cavalry units of local Muslims (they were called Tatars), then the Persian troops arrived. The rangers and Cossacks fought furiously, desperately trying to break through to the crossing over the Ah-Kara-chai, but it was already in the hands of the enemy. Almost the entire detachment fell in battle, only 8 soldiers managed to escape. The Persians and local Muslims inflated this success to such an extent that rumors about it reached Tiflis.

It must be said that although Shusha had natural protection - it was located on a high cliff, being the stronghold of Karabakh for a long time, the fortress was not initially prepared for defense. It was possible to attack the fortress only from the northeast, and even here the terrain was very conducive to the defenders. With the help of local residents, they tried to put the fortifications of the fortress in order. Before the siege of Shusha, they did not manage to collect militia formations from the local population. The way to Elisavetpol was cut off. Colonel Reut armed 1.5 thousand Armenian volunteers to strengthen the garrison, who, together with Russian soldiers and Cossacks, took an active part in the defense of the fortress. A certain number of Muslims who remained faithful to Russia also took part in the defense. There were no pre-prepared food supplies in the fortress, as it was proposed to defend Chinchi. For the minimum security of the soldiers, they had to use the grain and livestock of the Armenian peasants who had taken refuge in the fortress. But main problem there was a lack of water. The Russian garrison and the population of Shushi, together with the inhabitants of the surrounding area, found themselves in a difficult situation, but they did not even think of giving up.

On July 24, Reut received news of the defeat of Nazimka's detachment. On July 25, the advanced units of the Persian army appeared. On July 27, Abbas Mirza offered to surrender, but the Russians refused. The Persians installed batteries and began bombarding the fortress. The Muslim population of the region, for the most part, joined the Persians. The Armenians, who did not have time to hide in the fortress, fled to the mountains, their villages were destroyed. The former ruler of Karabakh, Mehdi Kuli Khan, again declared himself a khan and promised a generous reward to those who would go over to his side. Prince Abbas Mirza said that he was only fighting against the Russians, not the locals, trying to win them over to his side.

Foreign officers who were in the service of the Persian prince took part in the siege of Shusha. At their suggestion, they tried to bring mines to the walls. Two artillery batteries fired at the fortress. But at night the garrison diligently closed the gaps. Trying to put psychological pressure on the garrison and the townspeople, to push the Russians against the Armenians, Abbas-Mirza ordered to drive several hundred Christians to the fortress, promising to execute them if Shusha was not surrendered. However, this plan was not successful either.

The defense of the Shushi fortress lasted 47 days. The garrison of the fortress defended itself with great courage. Persian troops made several assaults, but they were all repelled. After the failure of the attacking actions, Abbas-Mirza agreed to a 9-day truce. The Persians sent two noble hostages to the fortress. Major Chelyayaev arrived in the Persian camp, he remained in enemy captivity until the end of the war. Franz von Klugenau (Klugenau), a Bohemian in the Russian service, was sent to Yermolov. It is not known how long the Shushi garrison would have held out if the Russian troops had not defeated the army of the son of Abbas-Mirza, Mamed-Mirza and the Erivan sardar on September 3 in the Battle of Shamkhor. Abbas Mirza lifted the siege from Shushi and led the army to Elisavetpol.

The brave garrison of Shushi lost only 32 people killed, wounded and missing during the 47-day siege. The 42nd Jaeger Regiment was granted by Emperor Nikolai Pavlovich St. George's banner with the inscription: "For the defense of Shushi against the Persians in 1826." Colonel Iosif Antonovich Reut (Reutt) was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd degree. The leaders of the Armenian population, who participated in the defense of the fortress and supplied the garrison with food, were promoted to warrant officers by Rostom Tarkhanov and granted a life pension, and the family of his brother Safar, who died shortly after the lifting of the siege of Shushi, was granted a pension from the state treasury.

The long-term defense of Shushi had significant strategic implications. Abbas Mirza, not thinking that the siege would drag on, delayed the main forces of his army near the fortress, although initially he wanted to make a quick rush to Tiflis. Only having despaired of capturing the fortress, the Persian prince eventually separated 18,000 soldiers from the main army forces. corps and sent them to Elizavetpol (Ganja) to strike at Tiflis from the east. Commander-in-Chief Yermolov, having received information that the main forces of the Persian army were stuck near Shusha, abandoned the original plan to withdraw all available forces deep into the Caucasus. Russian troops managed to take a breath, regroup. 8 thousand grouping was concentrated in Tiflis. From its composition was formed 4 thousand. a detachment under the command of Major General Prince V. G. Madatov, who launched an offensive against Elizavetpol to stop the movement of Persian troops to Tiflis and lift the siege from Shusha. Persian and Kurdish detachments during July-August brought a lot of grief to the Transcaucasian villages, destroying the villages, massacring the Christian population and stealing cattle. In particular, on August 14, the settlement of German colonists - Ekaterinfeld, 60 km from Tiflis, was cut out. But the strategic initiative had already been lost by the Persian command, the situation had changed in favor of the Russian troops, who at the beginning of September launched a counteroffensive.

The "Eastern Question" for the Russian Empire has always remained an acute problem. The emperors sought to strengthen their interests in the East, which often led to military conflicts. One of the countries with which interests clashed was Iran.

The second war between Russia and the Persian Empire began in 1826 and lasted almost two years. In February 1828, the Turkmanchay Peace Treaty was concluded between the parties, which put an end to relations between the empires. But the conditions of peace became very difficult for Iran, which subsequently led to the country's economic and political crisis.

Russia's previous war with Iran ended with the signing of the Gulistan Peace Treaty. According to the latter, Northern Azerbaijan and Dagestan departed to the Russian Empire.

In addition, many eastern countries voluntarily applied for Russian protection. This state of affairs did not suit Iran, which strove for independence. In addition, Great Britain intervened in the affairs of countries.

Causes of the conflict

In Iran, in the spring of 1826, an aggressive government headed by Abbas Mirza, supported by Great Britain and the Shah's court, came to power. The Russian Empire did not support the new ruler.

After that, open propaganda of a new war with Russia began. Nicholas I hastened to resolve the conflict peacefully and sent a peace delegation headed by A. Menshikov for negotiations. But Iranian side refused to receive ambassadors, and the delegation returned without results.

After that, with the permission of the religious elite of the Khanate, hostilities began against Russia.

The reasons for starting the war were:

• revenge for the Russian-Iranian war of 1804-1813;
• return of the lost territories according to the Gulistan peace;
• the desire to weaken the influence of the Russian Empire on the world stage;
• the desire of England to stop the trade of Russian merchants in the East.

The course of hostilities

Russia did not expect the beginning of an open armed attack and initially was not ready for worthy resistance. In addition, the Persian troops were supported by England. In the first months, the Russian army was forced to retreat.

Aspect ratio and command

Side Plans

Main events

Stage I: July 1826 - September 1826

During the offensive, Abbas-Mirza counted on the help of Armenians and Azerbaijanis living in Russia. But the hopes were not justified, small nations sought to get rid of the oppression of the Iranian khans and shahs. For this reason, Russian troops were actively supported.

On July 16, Khan of Erivan Hussein Khan Qajar attacks the Russian border territories near Mirak. Here was a small Russian army, which was forced to retreat and leave the territories of the Shirvan and Sheki khanates;

Russian units retreated to Karkalis. The defense of the latter, the Russian troops held together with a detachment of Armenians and the Tatar cavalry.

in mid-July, Abbas-Mirza laid siege to the fortress of Shusha.

The Shah's army numbered about 40 thousand people. There were much fewer Russians, the number of the garrison was 1300 people. Commander of the Russian troops in Karabakh I.A. Reut sent reinforcements to the fortress, but not all reached, 1/3 was killed in local battles. The peoples of Karabakh, loyal to Russia, hid behind the walls. The commander managed to equip another 1500 Armenians. But the army did not have enough food, so they had to rely on the products of civilians.

Abbas Mirza promised to fight only against the Russians, so part of the Armenians and Azerbaijanis nevertheless joined the Iranians.

The defense of the fortress lasted 47 days. The Iranian command used various tactics: even to bring discord between the peoples of the East and the Russians. By order of Abbas Mirza, several Aryamen families were executed in front of the walls of the fortress, and the Russians were accused. But it failed to create discord.

As a result, the siege of Shusha was lifted and the Iranian troops withdrew to Elizavetopol, intending to attack Tiflis from there.

• in August, near Tiflis, on the orders of Yermolov, Russian troops began to gather. A detachment of Madatov, numbering 1800 people, was sent towards Abbas-Mirza to contain the Iranian army.

Stage II September 1826 - February 1828 counteroffensive of the Russian army

• September 3 - Battle of Shakhmor. The small detachment of Madatov was able to defeat the 18,000-strong enemy army on the way to Tiflis. Thus the commander accomplished his task;
• September 13 battle near Elizavetpol. Cossacks under the command of General I.F. Paskichev was defeated by 35,000 Iranians. The Russian army at the same time consisted of a little more than 10 thousand people and 24 guns. After a crushing defeat, the enemy army retreated to Arkas.

March 16, 1827 - Paskevich is appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army in the Caucasus instead of Yermolov.

in early August, the army of Abbas-Mirza leaves for the Erivan Khanate;

On August 15, the Iranian army, together with Hussein Khan, laid siege to Etchmiadzin, which was defended by 500 people of the Sevastopol infantry regiment and 100 volunteers of the Armenian cavalry.

August 16 Battle of Oshakan. By order of the command, the army of A.I. was sent to help Echmiadzin. Krasovsky in 3000 people. But on the way to the fortress, the army was attacked by the enemy army, the number of which was about 30,000 people. The Russians suffered heavy losses during the battle (1154 people were killed, wounded and missing). But despite this, Krasovsky's army managed to break through to the fortress. As a result, the siege of Etchmiadzan was lifted.

On October 1, the Russian army under the command of Paskevich captured Erivan, after which they entered the territory of Iranian Azerbaijan;

Turkmenchay peace treaty

After a series of crushing defeats, the Persian Empire agreed to peace negotiations with Russia. By February 1928, an agreement had been reached.

On February 10, a peace treaty was signed between the Russian and Persian empires, which went down in history as the Turkmanchay. The well-known Russian writer Alexander Griboyedov participated in the development of the main points of the agreement.

According to the terms of the world:

• all the conditions of the Gulistan peace were confirmed;
• Russia received Eastern Armenia, the Erivan and Nakhichevan khanates;
• Persia took an obligation not to interfere with the voluntary resettlement of the Armenian population;
• the losing party must pay an indemnity in the amount of 20 million rubles in silver;
• Russia recognized Abbas Mirza as heir to the throne.

In addition to territorial and political decisions, trade decisions were made.

A treaty was concluded, according to which Russian merchants had the right to trade in Iran. Merchant ships were allowed to move freely in the Caspian Sea. All these changes seriously affected trade between Iran and Great Britain. The interests of the latter were strongly affected.

Historical meaning

The Russian-Iranian war and the Turkmenchay peace had a negative impact on the development of Iran. Historians emphasize that the terms of the peace treaty seriously undermined the economic and political health of the state.

Russian-Iranian relations on the terms of the concluded peace lasted until the October Revolution.

Iran, weakened as a result of internal strife between the Qajar Shah dynasty and local tribes, was defeated in the war with Russia, which cost him Derbent, Baku and the right to maintain a fleet in the Caspian Sea, and was eager to take revenge from Russia.

Iran was also an important object of rivalry in the East between Russia and Great Britain. British diplomacy, seeking to expand its sphere of influence and weaken the position of a new colonial predator, Russia, which emerged in the 18th century, after the end of the Russian- Iranian war 1804-1813, she began to indulge the desire of Shah Fath-Ali, humiliated by the Russians, for a new uprising against Russia in order to return the lost territories.

Already in 1814, an Anglo-Iranian alliance treaty was concluded to provide financial assistance Iran in case of war with "one of the states." Great Britain undertook to pay Iran an annual subsidy, supply the Iranian army with British cannons and cloth for uniforms, invite British officers to train Iranian troops, and hire military engineers to supervise the construction of military fortifications. Britain also pledged to help Iran achieve a revision of the Gulistan peace, promising not to interfere in the Iranian-Afghan conflicts in the dispute over Herat and in the internal affairs of Iran itself.

In 1816, Persia raised the issue of concluding a new agreement with Russia in order to return the Azerbaijani khanates to the Shah. This requirement was supported by Great Britain. In 1817 General A. P. Yermolov, Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasus, was sent to Persia to settle disputes as an ambassador. He was told that the Persian side would start negotiations only on the basis of Russia's consent to restore the pre-war borders.

However, before starting new war in Transcaucasia, Iran had to take steps to normalize relations with Turkey, on various parts of the border with which tensions remained. In the autumn of 1821, taking advantage of the break in diplomatic relations between Turkey and Russia, Abbas Mirza invaded Turkish possessions. However, in the summer of 1822, Turkish troops began to push the Iranian army, which forced Iran to withdraw its troops and sign the Erzerum Treaty on the preservation of the old borders.

Russia has also actively expanded its expansion in the region. In 1819-1821, she captured several Caucasian khanates - Quba, Kazikulus, Karakaity and Mehtadin. In subsequent years, Russian troops brutally cracked down on the Circassians who opposed the Russian colonial order, began to evict the Caucasian peoples from the valleys, waged local wars with partisan detachments Bey-Bulat. In the mid-1920s, Russia, as well as Great Britain, expanded its expansionist plans; having already appeared in the Balkans, these two powers were drawn into the conflict between the Greeks and the Turks.

In those same years, the Turkish government not only refused to recognize the Russian acquisitions in Transcaucasia, received by it as a result of the Gulistan peace, but also did not comply with the terms of the Bucharest peace treaty. It made an attempt to prove to the Russian envoy in Constantinople G. A. Stroganov that Turkey belonged to the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea, as well as its suzerain rights over Georgia, Imeretia, Guria, and others. The Port insisted on the withdrawal of Russian troops from these areas. At the same time, political pressure on Russia was backed up by military demonstrations.

With accession to the throne http://www.krugosvet.ru/articles/35/1003593/1003593a1.htm Nicholas I in 1825, the Russian policy in the Caucasus changed: in the context of the escalating conflict with Turkey, St. Petersburg was ready to cede the southern part of the Talysh Khanate to Persia for the neutrality. In an effort to prevent hostilities and positively resolve all pressing issues even at the cost of territorial concessions, St. Petersburg sent Prince A.S. Menshikov. But under pressure from Abbas-Mirza, Feth-Ali rejected the Russian proposals.

Thus, Russia's relations with Persia and Turkey continued to be tense. This was facilitated by the difficult for Russia military-political situation in the North Caucasus, the separatist aspirations of the former Transcaucasian rulers, anti-Russian speeches in the regions bordering Persia and Turkey. All this indicated that the latter, relying on Great Britain, were preparing for war with Russia. War with them was not part of the plans of the Russian government, and its desire for a peaceful settlement of disputed issues was regarded in the political circles of Persia, Turkey and England as a sign of weakness. At its core, this was an adventurist policy, since Persia and Turkey were much weaker than Russia militarily and economically.

Great Britain, also striving to establish its influence in the region, could not openly start a war with Russia, since it was connected with it by an agreement of April 4, 1826. Therefore, the British government, not wanting to strengthen Russia in the Balkans, tried in every possible way to divert the attention of the government of the Russian Emperor Nicholas I from liberation struggle Greeks against Turkish rule and wanted to draw Russian troops into another conflict. On the other hand, Russia's military conflict with Iran could weaken the latter in its quest to dominate the Persian Gulf region.

The reason for the second Russian-Iranian war was also information about the uprising of the Decembrists in Petersburg, which in Persia was understood as an internecine struggle between two pretenders to the throne. The energetic crown prince, the governor of Azerbaijan, Abbas-Mirza, who created a new army with the help of European instructors and then considered himself able to return the lands lost in 1813, decided to take advantage of what he thought was an opportunity.

The British advised Abbas Mirza to start a war with Russia, given the small number of Russian troops in Transcaucasia, her unpreparedness for war, and internal political complications. Along with diplomatic representatives, military instructors were also present in the country, who trained Iranian troops and helped strengthen their fortresses. On June 23, 1826, the Shia ulema issued a fatwa allowing the war and calling for jihad against Russia.

On July 16, Iranian troops invaded Karabakh and the Talysh Khanate across the border in the Gumra region without declaring war (see Appendix 2). Separate Iranian detachments moved to Baku, Lankaran, Nukha and Quba, counting on the uprising of the Azerbaijani population, but it did not support its khans, who were on the side of Iran. The Orthodox Armenian population of Karabakh, Shirak and other regions that were invaded by the Iranians resisted them.

Iranian troops managed to occupy Ganja (Yelizavetpol) and besiege Shusha, a small garrison that staunchly defended until September 5. This allowed the Russian detachment of General V. G. Madatov to defeat the Iranian troops on the river. Shamkhor and liberate Ganja on September 5. Abbas-Mirza lifted the siege of Shusha and moved towards Madatov's troops. General I.F. Paskevich was appointed commander of the army operating against Iran, who joined up with Madatov's detachment. On September 13, near Elizavetpol, Russian troops (8 thousand people) defeated 35 thousand. army of Abbas-Mirza and threw back its remnants beyond the river. Araks.

Nicholas I placed responsibility for the unsuccessful start of hostilities on A.P. Yermolov, although he had previously warned St. Petersburg about the possibility of a war in the Caucasus and the lack of Russian forces there. Also suspected of sympathizing with the Decembrists, Yermolov was removed from his post as commander-in-chief in the Caucasus and replaced by the tsar's favorite, General I.F. Paskevich.

Paskevich stepped up military operations against Iran. On April 25, a detachment of General A X. Benkendorf took Echmiadzin and on May 5 laid siege to Erivan. Paskevich, on July 8, occupied Nakhichevan with the main forces. Together with Russian military units the Armenian militia took part in the campaign. On July 17, Abbas-Mirza's cavalry was defeated at Jevan-Bulak, and two days later, the Iranian fortress of Abbas-Abad capitulated.

In the second half of August, Abbas-Mirza tried to capture Etchmiadzin in order to deprive the enemy of a base for further operations. But he was defeated by General Krasovsky in the battle near the village of Ashtarak. After that, Paskevich laid siege to Erivan and on October 22 took the fortress. Four days later, a detachment of General Eristov occupied Tabriz without a fight, where the Grand Vizier of Persia Allayar Khan surrendered to him, there were arsenals, artillery of the Iranian army and the families of many high dignitaries (in Tabriz there was a residence of the heir to the Shah's throne).

The Shah's government started talking about negotiations, which the British now began to insist on, fearing that the continuation of the war would lead to an even greater strengthening of Russia in the East. British Prime Minister George Canning offered his mediation, but the Russian tsar did not want to make any concessions, answering through his ambassador in London, Prince X. A. Lieven, "that Persian affairs concern exclusively the interests of Russia."

However, after the three powers - Russia, France and Great Britain - defeated the Turkish-Egyptian fleet in Navarin Bay on October 20, 1827, Russia had new aggressive plans against Turkey. It was necessary to urgently end the war with Iran.

After the capture of Tabriz, peace negotiations began, interrupted in January 1828 by order of the Shah. Then the Russian troops resumed the offensive and on January 27 occupied Urmia, and on February 6 - Ardabil. The whole of Azerbaijan was under their control, and the Shah had no choice but to conclude the Turkmenchay peace treaty on February 22, 1828 (Fig. 3).

Rice. 3

According to official data, the loss of the Russian army killed in 1826-1828 amounted to 1530 people. There is no reliable data on Iranian losses, but, according to estimates of that time, they were several times higher than the Russians. As in the war of 1804-1813, the number of deaths from disease on both sides was several times greater than the number of those killed in battle.

Russia's victory in the war was achieved thanks to a much higher combat capability and better organization of the supply of Russian troops.

Negotiations on peace, friendship and harmony were held in the village of Turkmanchay near Tabriz by I. Paskevich and A. Obreskov with the active participation of the Russian writer A. Griboyedov, who served as a diplomatic official at the office of the Caucasian governor, from the Russian side and Prince Abbas-Mirza from the Iranian side, in during which an agreement was signed that replaced the terms of the Gulistan Treaty.

The Persian Shah ceded to the Russian Empire the Erivan khanate on both sides of the Araks and the Nakhichevan khanate. The border between Russia and Persia was established along the rivers Kara, Arak, the watershed of the Talysh mountains and along the course of the Astara river before its confluence with the Caspian Sea (st. 3-4).

The Turkmenchay treaty completed the Russian occupation of almost the entire territory of Georgia, as well as Eastern Armenia and Northern Iran (Azerbaijan).

One of the important articles of the treaty was the article on the return to the territories occupied by Russia of the Armenian captives who were earlier driven to Iran, which marked the beginning of the consolidation of the Armenian people. After the signing of the Turkmanchay peace treaty, more than 140,000 Armenians moved from Turkey and Persia to the Transcaucasus.

The annexation of Transcaucasia to Russia was a turning point in the historical destinies of the Georgian, Armenian and, with some stretch, the Azerbaijani peoples. In fact, one colonial policy was replaced by another, but in this case, the peoples of Transcaucasia were offered the lesser of two evils. At that time, Türkiye and Iran were backward Eastern despotisms. Being under the protection of one state strengthened the security against invasion by another. In addition, the Christian peoples of Georgia and Armenia were able to get rid of religious oppression.

In addition, the shah was obliged to pay Russia an indemnity (10 tumans - 20 million rubles), after which Russia had to withdraw its troops from Azerbaijan. The Shah also undertook to grant amnesty to all the inhabitants of Azerbaijan who collaborated with the Russian troops and the occupying authorities, which was fixed in separate articles to the peace treaty. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D1%83%D1%81%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80% D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B4%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BD%D0%B0_1826%E2% 80%941828 - cite_note-6.

During the conclusion of the Turkmenchay Treaty, the English resident in Tehran, John MacDonald, by providing Iran with a large sum (£200,000) and with the consent of London, achieved the exclusion of Articles III and IV of the Iranian-English Treaty of 1814. They concerned military assistance to Iran. The Shah needed this amount, since he did not have enough funds to pay military indemnity to Russia under the terms of the Turkmenchay Treaty. The British, on the other hand, sought its timely payment, fearing that Russia might launch new military operations against Iran.

In Art. 8, the exclusive right of Russia to have a navy in the Caspian Sea was confirmed. Merchant ships of both powers retained the right to move freely and moor on its shores. The Russian government recognized Abbas-Mirza as the heir to the Persian throne (Article 7). According to Art. 9 of the treaty, the countries were obliged to receive ambassadors, ministers and chargé d'affaires in accordance with a special protocol, which meant the restoration of diplomatic relations.

An additional act - the Treatise on Trade - defined economic and trade relations between the two states, according to which Russian merchants received the right to free trade throughout Iran. The amount of Iranian duties was set at 5% of the value of the goods. Citizens of the Russian Empire received the right to buy real estate in Iran.

The treaty strengthened Russia's position in the Transcaucasus, contributed to the strengthening of Russia's influence in the Middle East and undermined Britain's position in Persia.

Although the Treaty of Turkmenchay ended the Iranian-Russian wars, relations between Iran and Russia continued to be tense. In April 1828, A.S. Griboyedov was appointed Russian resident minister in Iran. The Russian envoy had to demand strict observance of all articles of the treaty. The most acute were questions about the payment of indemnities, the attitude towards the Christian population of Iran and the return of prisoners of war.

The firm position of the Russian envoy caused discontent of the Iranian government. Across the country, not without British approval, there was fierce anti-Russian propaganda. On January 30, 1829, a fanatical mob attacked the Russian embassy. Almost all members of the mission died, including Griboedov.

The events in Tehran forced Iran and Russia to reconsider the foundations of their policies. The conflict could become a pretext for a new Russian-Iranian war, which was not in the interests of both states, therefore, at the initiative of Russia, it was settled diplomatically. An Iranian embassy was sent to Petersburg with apologies. A new stage has begun in Iranian-Russian relations. The Russian government postponed the payment of regular indemnity payments, border settlement began, and Iranian-Russian trade relations began to develop successfully.

Thus, revanchist sentiments in Iran and incitement from European diplomacy led to the beginning of the second Russian-Iranian war, in which Persia was defeated and, in addition to recognizing the dominion of the Russian state in the Caspian, was forced to make new territorial concessions and confirm the exclusive influence of the Russian Empire on Caucasus.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Russian Empire and Persia were arguing for influence in the Transcaucasus and on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Between these powers were such countries as Georgia, Armenia and Dagestan. In 1804, the first Russian-Persian war began. It ended after nine years. According to its results, enshrined in the Gulistan peace agreements, Russia annexed Georgian and partially Armenian lands.

The defeat did not suit the Persians. Revanchist sentiments have become popular in the country. The Shah wanted to regain the lost provinces. Because of this irresolvable conflict of interests, the Russo-Persian War (1826-1828) began. The causes of the conflict and the tense situation in the region made it inevitable.

Diplomatic environment

Preparations for a new war began in Persia immediately after the defeat in 1813. First of all, Feth Ali Shah tried to enlist the support of the European powers. Prior to that, he had relied on Napoleon Bonaparte, who made an alliance with the Persians on the eve of his attack on Russia in 1812. Its terms were stipulated in the Finkestein Treaty.

However, since then the situation in the world has changed a lot. Napoleonic Wars ended with the defeat of France and the ambitious emperor, who ended up in exile on the island of St. Helena. The Shah needed a new ally. Before the Russo-Persian war of 1826-1828 began, Great Britain began to show signs of attention to Persia.

This colonial power had its own interests in the Asian region. The kingdom owned India, and the British ambassadors obtained from the Iranians a promise not to let any of London's enemies into this country. At the same time, conflict broke out between Persia and Turkey. The British played the role of peacekeepers in negotiations with the Ottoman Empire, trying to persuade the Shah to go to war with another neighbor - Russia.

On the eve of the war

At this time, the second son of Feth Ali Shah Abbas Mirza was made commander in chief of the Persian army. He was instructed to prepare the army for new trials and carry out all the necessary reforms. The modernization of the army took place with the support of Great Britain. The soldiers received new weapons and uniforms, partly purchased in Europe. Thus, Abbas-Mirza tried to overcome the technical lag of his subordinates from the Russian units. Strategically, these were steps in the right direction, but in their reforms, the Iranian headquarters was in a hurry, trying not to lose time. It played a cruel joke. When the Russian-Persian war began, those who participated in the past conflict could notice changes in the enemy camp. But they were not enough to overcome the abyss that was between the armies and the Shah.

In 1825, the Iranian militarists gladly received the news that Russian emperor Alexander I died unexpectedly in Taganrog. His death led to a short-lived dynastic crisis and (more importantly) an uprising of the Decembrists. Alexander had no children and the throne was to pass to the next brother, Constantine. He refused, and as a result, Nikolai, who had never prepared for this, began to rule. He was a military man by training. The Decembrist uprising infuriated him. When the coup attempt failed, a lengthy trial began in St. Petersburg.

It was in those days that the advisers of the new king began to inform the monarch that the southern neighbor was openly preparing for an armed conflict. The famous general Alexei Yermolov was the commander-in-chief in the Caucasus. The last Russian-Persian war took place before his eyes, and he, like no one else, was aware of the danger of a new conflict. It was this general who more often than others reminded Nicholas of the prospects in the Caucasus.

The emperor answered rather sluggishly, but nevertheless agreed to send Prince Alexander Menshikov to Tehran. The future naval minister did not find a common language with the Persian diplomats. The king gave instructions to his ward, according to which he was ready to cede part of the disputed Talish Khanate in exchange for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. However, Tehran did not accept such proposals. Menshikov was even arrested along with all the ambassadors, although he was released already in 1827.

Persian intervention

The failure of preliminary negotiations led to the fact that the Russo-Persian war still began. On July 16, 1826, the Iranian army crossed the border in the region of modern Azerbaijan, where the Talysh and Karabakh khanates were located. This operation was carried out secretly and treacherously, there was no official declaration of war.

On the border there were only defensive detachments, assembled in haste and consisting of local Azerbaijanis. They could not offer serious resistance to the prepared Persian army. Some residents who professed Islam even joined the interventionists. According to the plans of Abbas Mirza, the Persian army was to move northwest along the valleys of the Kura River. The main target was the provincial city of Tiflis. Ideally, Russian troops should have been thrown to the other side of the Terek.

The war in the Caucasus region has always had several tactical features associated with the specifics of the area. It was possible to cross the ridge by land only through certain passes. Operating in Transcaucasia, the Persians sent auxiliary detachments to the north, hoping to block all routes for the main Russian army.

War in Karabakh

The main grouping under the direct supervision of Abbas Mirza consisted of 40 thousand soldiers. This army crossed the frontier and headed towards the Shushi fortress. Even the day before, the Persian command tried to enlist the support of the local khans, who were the leaders of the Azerbaijanis living in the city. Some of them actually promised support to Abbas-Mirza.

The Orthodox Armenian population also lived in Shusha, which, on the contrary, was loyal to the Russian authorities. The garrison of the fortress consisted of a detachment of Cossacks. The besieged decided to take hostage those Muslim khans who were suspected of betrayal and collaboration with the Persians. A hasty training of the militia, which consisted mainly of Armenians, began. Despite the energetic actions of the Cossacks, Shusha did not have at least a large supply of food and weapons necessary for successful defense during an assault or siege.

At this time, the Karabakh khan, who became a vassal of Russia after the war of 1804-1813, announced his support for the Persian invaders. Abbas Mirza, for his part, promised patronage to all local Muslims. He also announced that he was only fighting the Russians, hoping that this would help him convert the population to his side.

Siege of Shusha

A new Russo-Persian war started from Shusha. The attackers and defenders were separated by fortifications from the walls. To get rid of this obstacle, the Persians planted mines obtained with European assistance. In addition, Abbas-Mirza ordered several demonstrative executions of Karabakh Armenians right under the walls, hoping that this act of intimidation would quarrel the Armenians and Russians who had settled in the fortress. This did not happen.

The Persian army besieged Shusha for seven weeks. Such a delay greatly changed the course of the entire military campaign. The Iranians decided to divide the army and send an 18,000-strong detachment towards Elisavetpol (Ganja). Abbas Mirza hoped that this maneuver would allow him to reach Tiflis from the east, which would come as a complete surprise to the Cossacks.

Shamkhor battle

commander in chief Russian troops in the Caucasus, General Yermolov was in Tiflis at the beginning of the war and was gathering regiments. His first plan was to quickly retreat into the depths of the region, luring the Persians away from their own territory. Already in the new positions, the Cossacks would have a noticeable advantage over the Shah's army.

However, by the time a detachment of 8,000 soldiers was assembled in Tiflis, it became clear that the interventionists were stuck under the walls of Shusha for a long time. So, unexpectedly for everyone, the Russian-Persian war began. The year 1826 was in full swing, and Yermolov decided to launch a counterattack before the onset of cold weather. An army led by Major General Madatov was sent towards Elisavetpol to stop the enemy and lift the siege of Shusha.

This detachment collided with the vanguard of the enemy near the village of Shamkir. The ensuing battle in historiography was called the Battle of Shamkhor. It was she who influenced the results of the Russian-Persian war of 1826-1828. Until that moment, the Iranians had been advancing with little or no organized resistance. Now they had to face the real Russian army.

By the time Madatov was in Azerbaijan, the Persians had already laid siege to Elisavetpol. To break through to the blockaded city, the Russian army needed to break the enemy vanguard. On September 3, in the ensuing battle, the Persians lost 2 thousand people killed, while Madatov lost 27 soldiers. Because of the defeat in the Battle of Shamkhor, Abbas-Mirza had to lift the siege of Shusha and move to the rescue of the regiments stationed near Elisavetpol.

Expulsion of the Persians from Russia

Valerian Madatov commanded only 6 thousand people. They were clearly not enough to drive the Persians away from Elizabethpol. Therefore, after the victory near Shamkhor, he made a small maneuver, during which he joined up with fresh reinforcements that had come from Tiflis. The meeting took place on 10 September. The new regiments were commanded by Ivan Paskevich. He also took command of the entire army, marching to liberate Elizavetpol.

September 13 Russian troops were near the city. There were also Persians. The parties began to prepare for a general battle. It began with intense artillery shelling. The first Persian infantry attack bogged down because the regiments ran into a ravine and, being trapped, came under enemy fire.

The decisive role in the offensive of the Russian units was played by the Kherson regiment, which was directly led by Paskevich. Neither the artillery nor the cavalry, which tried to attack the Georgian militias from the flank, could help the Iranians. The Russo-Persian war, the reasons for which were the desire of the Shah to strike at his neighbor, showed once again how the eastern type of army was ineffective against Russian units trained in the European manner. The counterattack of Paskevich's units led to the fact that the Iranians first retreated to their original positions, and by the evening completely surrendered them.

The losses of the parties were again distinguished by surprising disproportion. General Paskevich counted 46 dead and about two hundred wounded. The Iranians killed two thousand people. About the same number of soldiers surrendered. In addition, the Russians got enemy artillery and banners. The victory at Elisavetpol led to Now Russia was deciding what the Russo-Persian war would be like. The results of the battle were announced throughout the country and accepted as a gift to the new emperor, who needed to publicly prove his own competence as a ruler.

Campaign of 1827

Paskevich's success was appreciated. He was appointed commander in chief and viceroy of the king in the Caucasus. By October, Iranian troops were pushed back across the border river Araks. Thus the status quo was restored. The soldiers hibernated, and a temporary calm set in at the front. However, all parties understood that the Russian-Persian war (1826-1828) had not yet ended. In short, Nicholas decided to take advantage of the successes of the army and not only drive out the interventionists, but also complete the annexation of Orthodox Armenia, part of which still belonged to the Shah.

The main goal of Paskevich was the city of Erivan (Yerevan) and the Erivan Khanate, which was a vassal of Iran. The military campaign began in late spring. In the summer, the important fort of Sardar-Abad surrendered to Russian troops. Until August, the army of the king did not meet serious resistance. All this time, Abbas-Mirza was in his homeland, gathering new regiments.

Oshakan battle

In early August, the Persian heir with 25,000 troops entered the Erivan Khanate. His army attacked the city of Etchmiadzin, which had only a small Cossack garrison, as well as an ancient Christian fortified monastery. The fortress had to be rescued by a detachment led by Lieutenant General Afanasy Krasovsky.

August 17 small Russian army number of 3 thousand people attacked the 30 thousandth army of Abbas Mirza. It was one of the brightest episodes that the Russian-Persian war is known for. The date of the Battle of Oshakan (as it is known in historiography) coincided with the unbearable heat of the Caucasus, which equally tormented all the soldiers.

The goal of Krasovsky's detachment was to break through to the besieged city through the dense ranks of the enemy. The Russians were carrying an extensive convoy and provisions needed for the garrison. The path had to be laid with bayonets, because there was not a single road left where there would be no Persians. To contain the enemy attacks, Krasovsky used artillery, which from the very beginning of the operation occupied heights strategically convenient for shelling. The firing of the guns did not allow the Persians to attack the Russians with all their might, which was reflected in the result of the battle.

As a result, Krasovsky's detachment managed to break through to Echmiadzin, despite the fact that every second soldier from this army died, repulsing the Muslim attacks. The failure had an extremely strong demoralizing effect on the entire Persian leadership. Abbas Mirza still tried to besiege the city for some time, but soon prudently retreated.

The main forces of the empire under the leadership of Paskevich at that time planned to invade Azerbaijan and go to Tabriz. But at the end of August, the commander-in-chief received news of the events in Etchmiadzin, because of which the Russian-Persian war (1826-1828) moved to another stage. The reasons why Paskevich sent a small detachment to the west were simple - he believed that Abbas Mirza was in a completely different region. Realizing that the main Iranian army was behind him, the commander-in-chief refused to march on Tabriz and advanced towards the Erivan Khanate.

Capture of Yerevan

On September 7, Paskevich and Krasovsky met in Etchmiadzin, from which the siege was lifted the day before. At the council, it was decided to take the Armenian Erivan. If the army managed to capture this city, then the Russo-Persian war would end. The year 1828 was already approaching, so Paskevich immediately set off, hoping to complete the operation before the onset of winter.

The Russian-Persian war, the years of which fell on a period of turbulence in the Russian state, nevertheless showed that, in spite of everything, the tsarist army can solve operational problems in the most difficult conditions. Nicholas I, not without reason, believed that he needed to establish a protectorate over the whole of Armenia. The indigenous people of this country were also Orthodox Christians and for centuries suffered from Muslim dominance.

The first attempts of Armenians to establish contact with St. Petersburg took place in Russian army liberated province after province in Transcaucasia. Paskevich, once in eastern Armenia, was greeted with enthusiasm by the locals. Most of the men joined the general as militias.

The Russian-Persian war of 1828 was a chance for Armenians to start living again in a Christian country. There were many of them in Erivan. Realizing this, the Persian commandant of the fortress expelled from the city members of influential Armenian families who could incite the townspeople to revolt. But the precautionary measures did not help the Iranians. The city was taken by Russian troops on October 1, 1827 after a short assault.

Negotiation

Two weeks after this victory, the headquarters learned that another royal detachment had captured Tabriz. This army was commanded by Georgy Eristov, sent by Paskevich to the southeast after the commander-in-chief left for Erivan. This victory was the last front-line event for which the Russian-Persian war (1826-1828) is known. The Shah needed a peace treaty. His army lost all the strategically important battles. In addition, now the royal regiments occupied part of its territory.

Therefore, with the onset of winter, both states began to exchange diplomats and parliamentarians. They met in Turkmanchay, a small village not far from captured Tabriz. The treaties signed in this place on February 10, 1828 summed up the results of the Russo-Persian War (1826-1828). All the conquests that the tsarist army had made in the previous conflict were recognized for Russia. In addition, the imperial crown received new territorial acquisitions. It was eastern Armenia with its main city Yerevan, as well as the Nakhichevan Khanate. The Iranians agreed to pay a large indemnity (20 million rubles in silver). They also guaranteed their non-interference in the process of resettlement of Orthodox Armenians to their homeland.

End of the conflict

It is curious that the diplomat and writer Alexander Griboyedov was a member of the royal embassy. He took part in the discussion of the conditions under which the Russo-Persian War (1826-1828) ended. In short, the treaty did not sit well with the Iranians. A few months later, a new one began and the Persians tried to violate the terms of the peace.

In order to settle the conflict, an embassy was sent to Tehran, headed by Griboyedov. In 1829, this delegation was brutally murdered by Islamic fanatics. Dozens of diplomats were killed. The Shah sent rich gifts to St. Petersburg to make amends for the scandal. Nikolai did not go for a confrontation, and since then there has been a long peace between the neighbors.

The mutilated body of Griboyedov was buried in Tiflis. While in Yerevan, which had just been liberated from the Iranians, for the first time he staged his most famous performance, Woe from Wit, on stage. Thus ended the Russian-Persian war. The peace treaty allowed the creation of several new provinces, and since then Transcaucasia remained part of the empire until the fall of the monarchy.