Kalmyks in the Derbent Campaign of 1722

Abstract

The article examines an understudied episode in the history of the Kalmyk Khanate ― participation of Kalmyk horse troops in the Persian (Derbent) Campaign of 1722. And that was during the campaign when the first ― and most memorable ― meeting between the Russian Tsar Peter the Great and the Kalmyk Khan Ayuka took place. The main question discussed at the negotiations was that of Kalmyk horse troops to join the military expedition. Outcomes of the meeting proved positive enough, the only contestable issue to settle being the number of cavalry units to be dispatched. As was reported by contemporaries, the political status of the Kalmyk Khan was significant enough within the imperial hierarchy, which definitely stirred both astonishment and curious assessments.
The paper concludes the military campaign exemplifies somewhat multivalued external policies conducted by the Kalmyk ruler that rather characterize the latter as an independent politician who tended to make original decisions without strict adherence to Russia’s interests only. The available documents testify that despite the stressful international situation Ayuka maintained good neighborly relations with some North Caucasus rulers, including those of Dagestan. Right before the Persian Campaign the Kalmyk Khanate pursued active relations with the Crimea and Kuban Horde. Still, the Russian Government was well aware of the contacts and did not intend to mar relations with the Kalmyk ruler, since it hoped to make use of Kalmyk horsemen in its confrontation against the Ottoman Empire and Persia.
The participation of Kalmyk horsemen in the Derbent expedition proved actually neither mass nor crucial, and was largely limited to punitive operations in the territory of North Dagestan against separate chieftains of Usmey and Utemysh districts who displayed strongest resistance to the Russian troops. Thus, the then Kalmyk-Kumyk relations were basically good-neighborly, which is evident from the Kalmyk Khan’s efforts to warn Kumyk landlords about the imminent danger in the form of the invading Russian army.
However, Ayuka completely supported the conquering policies conducted by Peter the Great since during the latter’s reign Kalmyk horse troops participated in virtually all Russia’s wars, including those in the North Caucasus. But Khan Ayuka’s motives were not limited to Russian geopolitical interests only. So, Terek Nogais captured by Kalmyks in the course of the Derbent expedition were subsequently resettled to the Volga region. This again shows that first and foremost Ayuka pursued his own interests and made every effort possible to take advantage of any political situation.