| Murat Kuchukov Movement | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part ofChechen–Russian conflict | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kalmyk Khanate | |||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Murat Kuchukov (POW)  Amirkhamza Turlov Saltan–beg of Braguny † Chopan–Shavkhal of Endirey Soltan–Makhmud of Aksai |  Voivode VelyaminovFyodor ApraksinAyuka Khan | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1,600+[1] |
8,000Total: 11,850 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Heavy | Unknown | ||||||
TheMurat Kuchukov Movement, also known as the1708 Insurgency in Chechnya or the1708 Insurgency in the North Caucasus, was caused by the oppressive policies ofRussia towards theNorth Caucasian peoples as well as the teachings and propaganda of the Islamic preacher and military commanderMurat Kuchukov, aBashkir prince who had previously participated in theBashkir rebellion of 1704–1711.
Although successful at first, Russian and Kalmyk reinforcements atTerki resulted in the defeat of the rebels and the decline of the insurgency. Murat Kuchukov, who started the insurgency, aimed to break through Russian fortress of Terki, travel North and join the Bashkir rebels, but was wounded, captured and eventually executed following hisdefeat at Terki.[2][3]
The insurgency was the first major confrontation between theChechens and Russia.
The royal governors, using the important economic and strategic position of theTerek fortress, imposed various taxes and duties on the highlanders and extorted bribes from them. For example, theChechens who lived in the Terek fortress had to pay a duty when exporting goods to their fellow tribesmen in the rest ofChechnya. These and other extortions from the administration led to the paralysis of economic activity in a significant part of the region.[4]
Murat Kuchukov was aBashkir Islamic teacher and military commander fromUfa, who previously took part in theBashkir rebellion of 1704–1711. During his return from a diplomatic mission in theOttoman Empire in 1707, he met with the Chechen princeAmirkhamza Turlov inChechen-Aul, where he decided to stay to preachIslam among theChechens.[2][3]
The teachings and propaganda ofMurat Kuchukov, who became popular among theNorth Caucasian peoples, lead to rebellions againstRussia and the local princes. Among the rebellious peoples were especially theAukhs, but also theAksai,Kumyks,Nogais, the people ofKizlyar, other mountaineer tribes and someCossacks. The social composition of the rebels also mostly included both poor highlanders and wealthy, who, however, were united by dissatisfaction with the policy of the Russian administration. The rebels were unfamiliar to religious slogans, although they recognized Murat Kuchukov as a Muslim saint.[5]
Soon, under the command of Murat, more than 1,500[6] to 1,600[1] armed fighters gathered in order to storm and captureTerki. Aim of the Murat and his attack on the fortress was to break through the Russian defences, travel North, and join theBashkir rebellion.[6]
The fortress garrison was small and poor equipped, and with that information, Kuchukov successfully stormed and took over most of the fortress on 12 February, 1708. The defenders of Terki suffered heavy losses and were mostly captured and the rebels captured 10 artillery.[1][3]
The Russian side began to send reinforcements to the defenders of the city. TheKalmyk Khanate underAyuka Khan did the same, and the new combined army counted 9,850 soldiers. On 26 February, 1708, the defending army inflicted a heavy defeat upon the rebels, who were forced to retreat.Murat Kuchukov himself was wounded and captured, where he was then sentenced to death by hanging.[7][6]
After the death, the rebels fled South, pursued by Russian troops, who inflicted more losses on them. The defeat at Terki led to the decline of the insurgency.[8]
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