The Town Hall of Kyakhta on the Tea Route: Some Remarks

Abstract

Introduction. The intensive development of Russia’s trade relations with Asian nations, shaping of new transport corridors, and implementation of infrastructure projects across Eurasia make it essential to secure deeper insights into historical precedents of global economic integration. In this context, the interest toward the Tea Road is evident enough. However, despite the extensive publications on Russia-China trade, there remains a significant gap in understanding the role of local self-government institutions in the process. Goals. The article seeks to shed light on the activities of the Kyakhta Town Hall (council) in facilitating the functioning of Kyakhta as a key transit point along the Tea Road. Materials. The study investigates documentary sources from the State Archive of the Republic of Buryatia (Coll. 158 ‘Kyakhta Town Hall of Kyakhta-Troitskosavsk, Verkhneudinsk District, Irkutsk Governorate [since 1851 ― Transbaikal Oblast], 1775–1876). Results. The article demonstrates the role of the local self-government institution ― Kyakhta Town Hall ― along with the town’s communities of merchants and dwellers in the construction of trade facilities, maintenance of local roads and ferry crossings used for transporting goods, and in arranging the scheduling of cargo transportation. The work emphasizes the particularly important role of the Kyakhta Town Hall in the construction of the stone Merchant Court (Gostiny Dvor). Part of the required funds was accumulated through commercial exchanges (‘promen’) of grain for high-demand foreign goods that would be subsequently sold in domestic markets. Furthermore, the Kyakhta Town Hall represented and defended the interests of merchants and townspeople before the executive offices of Eastern Siberia Governor General and the civil Governor of Irkutsk. It would also closely interact with the Kyakhta Customs Office and border control authorities.