THE COSSACKS
“Master
Rallye” caravan is going to continue its hard way through the
region of Rostov. Great Russian river Don has always been its
symbol, since the ancient times. River Don was famous far outside
Russia. Ancient Greeks called this river Tanais and considered it to
be a border between Europe and Asia.
Since
second part of 16th century the inflow of Russians to
Don, to Cossack settlements had increased greatly, they called it -
“to go to Cossacks”. Later on all Cossack settlements united
into an independent area that existed autonomously inside Russian
Empire and even had their own army - Army of Great Don. Cossack
warriors have always been highly appreciated by Russian rulers and
for that reason their detachments were actively taking part in all
kinds of military campaigns.
The
Cossacks are very special people, they are famous for their courage
and fortitude. Since their childhood all Cossacks are taught
accurate shooting, masterly operating with sabre and riding. Through
all many years of their existence the Cossacks were not only
defending Russian frontiers, but also promoted expansion and
strengthening the power of the country. The Cossacks built small
vessels at their shipyards. On these vessels the Cossacks crossed
Black Sea and attacked Turkish cities, towns and villages, but they
did not only grab plunder, they also liberated Russian slaves from
slavery.
Since
the end of 16th century Russian Government used the
Cossacks for defence of Southern frontiers, and since 17th
century - as military power in wars with Turkey and Poland. For
their service the Cossacks were paid with money, powder, lead, cloth
and bread. Cossacks played the special role in the process of
joining Caucasus to Russia. They were not just taking part in
battles, but were also building defensive lines and towns on the way
from Black Sea to Caspian Sea. The Cossacks took part in all Russian
wars since military campaigns to Sweden lead by Peter the Great.
Cossack troops also actively participated in conquest and
assimilation of grand Siberian spaces. Participation of the Cossacks
in War 1812 against Napoleon became the brightest page in Cossack
history.
In
1792 Russian Empress Catherine 2 granted Cossack Army of Black Sea a
“letters patent” to own lands of Taman and region of Kuban under
the condition of watchful defence of Russian borders.
Gradually,
the Cossacks began to settle and feel at home in the granted lands.
During social stratification two groups of Cossacks were formed:
“the old residents” - prosperous, respected Cossacks with their
own farms in the most assimilated and fertile lands of the Lower
Don, and “the poor” - mostly fugitive peasants who huddled in
the Upper Don and did not have farms. Exactly “the poor” easily
joined all the forays and revolts and by that reason it was main
motive force of the Peasant War under the leadership of Stepan Razin.
The
region of Kuban is interesting not only for its history, but also
for its industry. Kuban is by right considered to be the cradle of
Russian petroleum industry, because it is here that in 1864
petroleum extraction began.
When
speaking about the region of Kuban you should not forget about its
inimitable nature. From the Caucasus mountains and the Sea of Azov
the plains of Kuban are spread. They are unique for their inside
texture and geological history: under the plane surface of plains,
in the entrails of the earth whole mountain ridges and valleys
consisting of the most ancient mountain rocks are buried. And in the
region of Maykop attention of travelers is always attracted by the
waters of river Belaya (White river) bordered with rose and red
mountains (its mountain rocks are colored with iron oxide).
Another
sight of the region of Rostov - a unique system of salt lakes
Manych-Gudilo, its main lake is stretched out like a narrow ribbon
in Kumo-Manychskaya hollow. In the ancient times this hollow was a
strait that connected Caspian Sea and Black Sea.
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