Consequences of the Russo-Iranian War of 1826 1828. Russo-Persian Wars. Heroic defense of Shushi

was caused by the desire of Persia (with the active support of Great Britain) to return the lands lost under the Gulistan Peace Treaty of 1813 and restore its influence in the Transcaucasus. In 1826, the Persian army of the commander-in-chief Abbas-Mirza invaded Karabakh and tried to break through to Tiflis in order to put an end to Russian rule in Transcaucasia with one blow. However, Russian troops under the command of General I.F. Paskevich not only stopped the Persian offensive, but also in 1827 captured the fortress of Erivan (Yerevan), Yuzh. Azerbaijan and Tabriz (possessions of Persia). The war ended with the signing of the Turkmenchay Peace Treaty of 1828.

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Russo-Iranian War 1826-1828

Iran was an important object of rivalry between the powers in the East. British diplomacy, seeking to expand its sphere of influence and weaken the position of Russia, immediately after the unsuccessful end of the Russian-Iranian war of 1804-1813 for Iran. began to push Shah Fath-Ali to a new action against Russia. In 1814, an Anglo-Iranian treaty was concluded on the provision of material assistance to Iran in the event of a war "with one of the European states." British officers were invited to train Iranian troops and supervise the construction of military fortifications. Placing great hopes on British assistance, the Iranian ruling circles decided to be the first to open hostilities against Russia.

In July 1828, Iranian troops under the command of the heir to the throne Abbas Mirza suddenly invaded Karabakh and laid siege to Shusha. At the same time, some former Azerbaijani khans revolted against Russia in Shamakhi, Ganja and other places. During July-August, Iranian troops occupied a significant part of Eastern Transcaucasia and approached Baku.

The population of Karabakh, Shirak and other areas that were invaded put up active resistance. Russian troops were soon brought up. In the battles near Shamkhor and near Ganja, the main forces of Abbas Mirza suffered heavy defeats. In 1827, Russian troops under the command of Paskevich occupied the Yerevan and Nakhchevan khanates. Together with the Russian military units, the Armenian militia took part in the campaign. After the capture of Tabriz by Russian troops, the Shah's government entered into negotiations, on which the British now began to insist, fearing that the continuation of the war would lead to an even greater strengthening of Russia in the East.

On February 10, 1828, a peace treaty was signed in the village of Turkmanchay (near Tabriz). It marked the strengthening of Russia's influence and the strengthening of its positions in Iran and neighboring federal countries. Shah recognized the accession of the Yerevan and Nakhchevan khanates to Russia. Under the terms of the treaty, only Russia could have a navy in the Caspian Sea. Iran paid Russia an indemnity of 20 million rubles in silver. According to the treatise on trade, Russia received benefits in Iran corresponding to the capitulation regime, with the help of which she tried to seize the markets of Northern Iran.

Accession to Russia saved Eastern Armenia from final ruin. At the beginning of the XIX century. Armenian lands were in a state of complete decline. Agriculture, with primitive tools of production and the utter arbitrariness of the Iranian feudal lords, degraded. Labor productivity was extremely low. There was no large industry. Trade developed very slowly.

The Turkmanchay treaty completed the annexation of almost the entire territory of Georgia, Northern Azerbaijan, and Eastern Armenia to Russia.

Accession to Russia was a turning point in the historical destinies of the Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples. Despite the colonial policy pursued by tsarism after the annexation of Transcaucasia, the inclusion of Transcaucasia into the Russian state was a historically progressive phenomenon. It freed the Transcaucasian peoples from the threat of enslavement by backward Eastern despots - Turkey and Iran, eliminated the feudal fragmentation of Transcaucasia, put an end to feudal civil strife, and ensured personal and property security for its population. The strengthening of ties with the Russian people contributed to the growth of progressive forces among the peoples of Transcaucasia and, over time, paved the way for a joint struggle against the tsarist autocracy. Advanced Russian culture had a huge beneficial effect on the further development of the ancient culture of the Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples.

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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 the Iranian side refused to receive the 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.

In the twenties of our century, it passed only some one and a half miles from Tiflis. From the northern end of Lake Gokchi (Sevan), it stretched westward in a broken line along the Bombak mountain range and then, deviating from it, through Mount Alagyoz (Aragats), rested at a right angle on the Turkish border, which ran along the Arpachay (Akhuryan) river directly to the north , to the Triolet mountains.
In this space, for eighty miles in length and deepening inland, to Tiflis, for fifty miles, lay two border Russian provinces: Shuragel and Bombak. The country is filled with ramifications of those huge heights, located in the depths of Asiatic Turkey, which give rise to significant rivers: the Euphrates, the Araks and others. One of these branches, the Bombak ridge, descending to the southwest, towards the side of Arpachay, forms an inclined plain, broken only on the border with Persia by Mount Alagez. Here lies Shuragel with the main city of Gumry. To the northeast of it is the Bombak province, in a valley delineated by two high and steep ridges Bombaksky and Bezobdal. In the center of the country, the Bombak Range, descending ten versts to the north, meets the slopes of Bezobdal, again raising the surface of the earth to transcendental limits. The distance between the ridges does not exceed twenty miles. The valley gradually narrows to the east, as it approaches Greater Karaklis, where its width is already only two versts, and another five versts further - the gorge begins. The river Bombak flows through this valley, which, having connected with Stone  (Jalal-Oglu-chay), receives the name Borchaly and flows, at the confluence with the Temple, into the Kura. To the east of Bombak, behind the Allaverdy ridge, lies the Kazakh distance.
To the north, behind the silvery, cloudy Bezobdal, the luxurious Lori steppe spreads, bordered in the distance by the gloomy, bare Akzabiyuk mountains. Behind those mountains lies already Iberia.
A free, beautiful place is this Lori steppe, surrounded on all sides by forest, outlined by high mountains: Bezobdal - in the south, Akzabiyuk with its branches - in the north, east and west. Those mountains that separate the steppe from Shuragel are called the Wet Mountains, and the shortest road from Gumr to Bashkechet and on to Tiflis passes through them. In the east, the Allaverdy Ridge closes it, and the steppe ends where the Stone River flows into Borchala ...
The Lori steppe was administratively subordinate to the Bombak province; but that was already part of ancient Georgia, and one of the Tatar distances - Borchalinskaya - is located on it. When Shuragel and Bombaki belonged to Persia, the Lori steppe was a place where Georgia put up barriers to enemy invasions. Gergers and Jalal-Ogly, who defended the entrance to it, therefore became important strategic points.
In the summer of 1826, all these border regions with Persia, open from the flank, in the west, to Turkey, were guarded by only two Russian battalions. In Gumry, the main village of Shuragel, there were two companies of the Tiflis regiment with two guns, and a company of carabinieri, which sent posts from itself to Bekant and Amamly, where they also had one gun each.
In the Big Karaklis, the most important point of the Bombak province, there were three companies of the Tiflis regiment, with three guns. From here, two strong posts advanced to the Lori steppe: one, with a gun, to cover the crossing over the Kamennaya River near Jalal-Ogly, the other to the Bezobdal Pass, and the third was already in Bombaki itself, on the Gamzachevanka River, about eighteen versts from Karaklis, where the regimental herd of the Tiflis regiment grazed. A married company guarded the Gergers behind Bezobdal. The Don Cossacks of Andreev were still scattered in small units throughout Bombak and Shuragel.
Finally, advanced detachments were advanced to the very border: to Mirak, which lay on the eastern slopes of Alagez, two companies of Tiflis and a company of carabinieri with two guns; in Balyk-chai, covering the only pack road to Erivan from the Kazakh distance, along the Delizhan Gorge along the Akstafa River - a company of Tiflis, with a force of three hundred bayonets and also with two guns. Both Mirak and Balyk-chai were engaged in Russian troops only in the summer, in order to prevent Persian gangs from entering Russian borders and to keep the Kazakh and Shamshadil Tatars roaming near these places in obedience.
In the autumn, when the Tatars returned from wanderings, the posts were removed, because in winter, due to deep snow, the paths became insurmountable there. Thus, the total number of troops guarding the entire region consisted of a Cossack regiment, with a strength of about five hundred horses, two battalions of the Tiflis regiment (its third battalion was on the Caucasian line) and two companies of carabinieri temporarily moved here from Manglis - a total of about three thousand bayonets, with twelve guns of a light company of the Caucasian Grenadier Artillery Brigade (

, Dagestan and North Azerbaijani khanates (with the exception ofErivan and Nakhichevan ).

AT 1814 Persia signed an agreement withGreat Britain , according to which she undertook not to allow troops of any power to pass through her territory to India. Great Britain, for its part, agreed to seek a revision of the Gulistan Treaty in favor of Persia, and in the event of war, Great Britain undertook to provide the shah with financial assistance in the amount of 200 thousand fogs a year or to help Persia with troops and weapons. British diplomats, seeking an end to the Persian-Turkish war that began in1821 year, pushed the shah and the heir to the throneAbbas Mirza to oppose Russia.

Tense international situation1825 and Decembrist revolt were perceived in Persia as the most favorable moment for speaking out against Russia. heir to the throne and rulerIranian Azerbaijan Abbas Mirza who, with the help of European instructors, created a new army and considered himself capable of returning those lost in1813 land, decided to take advantage of what seemed to him an opportunity.

In the summer of 1826, all these border regions with Persia, open from the flank, in the west, to Turkey, were guarded by only two Russian battalions. In Gumry, the main village of Shuragel, there were two companies of the Tiflis regiment with two guns, and a company of carabinieri, which sent posts from itself to Bekant andAmamli , where there was also one gun each.
In the Big Karaklis, the most important point of the Bombak province, there were three companies of the Tiflis regiment, with three guns. From here, two strong posts advanced to the Lori steppe: one, with a gun, to cover the crossing over the Kamennaya River near Jalal-Ogly, the other to the Bezobdal Pass, and the third was already in Bombaki itself, on the Gamzachevanka River, about eighteen versts from Karaklis, where the regimental herd of the Tiflis regiment grazed. A married company guarded the Gergers behind Bezobdal. The Don Cossacks of Andreev were still scattered in small units throughout Bombak and Shuragel.
Finally, advanced detachments were advanced to the very border: to Mirak, which lay on the eastern slopes of Alagez, two companies of Tiflis and a company of carabinieri with two guns; in Balyk-chai, which covered the only pack road to Erivan from the Kazakh distance, along the Delizhan Gorge along the Akstafa River - a company of Tiflis, with a force of three hundred bayonets and also with two guns. Both Mirak and Balyk-chai were engaged in Russian troops only in the summer, in order to prevent Persian gangs from entering Russian borders and to keep the Kazakh and Shamshadil Tatars roaming near these places in obedience.
In the autumn, when the Tatars returned from wanderings, the posts were removed, because in winter, due to deep snow, the paths became insurmountable there. Thus, the total number of troops guarding the entire region consisted of a Cossack regiment, with a strength of about five hundred horses, two battalions of the Tiflis regiment (its third battalion was on the Caucasian line) and two companies of carabinieri temporarily moved here from Manglis - a total of about three thousand bayonets, with twelve guns of a light company of the Caucasian Grenadier Artillery Brigade


NicholasI


A.P. Ermolov

Commander-in-Chief of Russian troops in the Caucasus, GeneralA. P. Ermolov warned the emperorNicholas I that Persia is openly preparing for war. Nicholas I, in view of the escalating conflict with Turkey, was ready to cede the southern part to Persia for the neutrality of PersiaTalysh Khanate . However, Prince A. S. Menshikov, whom Nicholas I sent to Tehran with instructions to ensure peace at any cost, could not achieve anything and left the Iranian capital.

Start of hostilities

July 16 1826 the Persian army, without declaring war, crossed the borders in the Mirak region and invaded the territory of TranscaucasiaKarabakh and Talysh khanates . The bulk of the border "zemstvo guards", consisting of armed horse and foot Azerbaijani peasants, with rare exceptions, surrendered their positions to the invading Persian troops without much resistance or even joined them.

The main task of the Iranian command was to capture the Transcaucasus, to seizeTiflis and throw back the Russian troops behindTerek . The main forces were therefore directed fromTabriz to the district chickens , and auxiliary - inMugan steppe to block exits fromDagestan . The Iranians also counted on the blow of the Caucasian highlanders from the rear against the Russian troops, who were stretched out in a narrow strip along the border and did not have reserves. The help of the Iranian army was promised by the Karabakh beks and many influential people in neighboring provinces, who maintained constant contacts with the Persian government and even offered to cut the Russians inShusha and hold it until the approach of Iranian troops.


Transcaucasian region at the time of the start of the war (the borders are indicated according to the Gulistan Treaty andBucharest peace )

AT Karabakh province Russian troops were commanded by Major General PrinceV. G. Madatov , by origin Karabakh Armenian.


V.G. Madatov

At the time of the attack, he was replaced by Colonel I. A. Reut, commander of the 42nd Jaeger Regiment, stationed in the area of ​​​​the Shushi fortress.Ermolov demanded that he keep Shusha with all his might and transfer all the families of influential beks here - thereby it was supposed to ensure the safety of those who supported the Russian side, and use those who were hostile as hostages.

First strike July 16 a 16,000-strong group inflicted on Russian territoryErivan sardara, reinforced Kurdish cavalry (up to 12 thousand). Russian troops on the border of Georgia, in everythingBombake(Pambak) and Shurageli (Shirak) numbered approx. 3 thousand people and 12 guns -Don Cossack regiment under Andreev (about 500 Cossacks scattered in small groups throughout the territory), two battalions of the Tiflis infantry regiment and two companies of carabinieri. The head of the border line was the commander of the Tiflis regiment, Colonel PrinceL. Ya. Sevarsemidze .

Russian units were forced to retreat in battle toKaraklis(modern Vanadzor ). Gumry and Karaklis were soon surrounded. The defense of Greater Karaklis, together with the Russian troops, was held by two detachments of the Armenian (100 people) and TatarBorchaly (50 people) cavalry. Strong Persian detachments also headed for Balyk-chai, sweeping away small scattered Russian posts on their way.

At the same time Hassan-aga, brother of the Erivan sardar, from 5 thousand. cavalry detachmentKurds and karapapahs crossed into Russian territory between the mountainAlagoz (Aragats) and the Turkish border, plundering and burning Armenian villages on the way to Gumry, capturing cattle and horses, exterminating the resisting local Armenian residents. Having destroyed the Armenian village of Lesser Karaklis, the Kurds began methodical attacks on the defenders in Greater Karaklis.

July 18 40 thousand army Abbas Mirza crossed overAraks at Khudoperinsky bridge . Having received news of this, Colonel I.A. Reut ordered that all troops in the Karabakh province be withdrawn to the fortressShusha . At the same time, three companies of the 42nd regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Nazimka and a hundred Cossacks who joined them failed to break through to Shusha fromGeryusov where they were stationed. The Iranians and the rebellious Azerbaijanis overtook them, and during the stubborn battle, half of the personnel died, after which the rest, by order of the commander, laid down their arms


Shusha fortress.

The garrison of the Shushi fortress was 1300 people. (6 companies of the 42nd Jaeger Regiment and Cossacks from the Molchanov 2nd Regiment). A few days before the complete blockade of the fortress, the Cossacks drove the families of all the local Muslim nobility behind its walls as hostages. The Azerbaijanis were disarmed, and the khans and the most honored beks were taken into custody. The inhabitants of the Armenian villages of Karabakh and the Azerbaijanis, who remained loyal to Russia, also took refuge in the fortress. With their help, dilapidated fortifications were restored. Colonel Reut armed 1.5 thousand Armenians to strengthen the defense, who, along with Russian soldiers and Cossacks, were on the front line. A certain number of Azerbaijanis also participated in the defense, declaring their loyalty to Russia. However, the fortress did not have stocks of food and ammunition, so the grain and livestock of the Armenian peasants who had taken refuge in the fortress had to be used for the meager food of the soldiers.

Meanwhile, the local Muslim population, for the most part, joined the Iranians, and the Armenians, who did not have time to hide in Shusha, fled to mountainous places. Mekhti Kuli Khan, the former ruler of Karabakh, declared himself Khan again and promised to generously reward all who join him. Abbas Mirza, for his part, said that he was fighting only against the Russians, and not against the locals. Foreign officers who were in the service of Abbas Mirza took part in the siege. In order to destroy the walls of the fortress, according to their instructions, mines were brought under the fortress towers. Continuous fire was fired at the fortress from two artillery batteries, but at night the defenders managed to restore the destroyed areas. To create a split among the defenders of the fortress - Russians and Armenians - Abbas Mirza ordered several hundred local Armenian families to be driven under the walls of the fortress and threatened to execute them if the fortress was not surrendered - however, this plan was not successful either.


The defense of Shushi lasted 47 days and was of great importance for the course of hostilities. Desperate to capture the fortress, Abbas-Mirza eventually separated 18 thousand people from the main forces and sent them toelizavetpole (modern Ganja) to strike at Tiflis from the east.

Having received information that the main Persian forces were pinned down by the siege of Shusha, General Yermolov abandoned the original plan to withdraw all forces deep into the Caucasus. By this time, he managed to concentrate up to 8 thousand people in Tiflis. Of these, a detachment was formed under the command of Major General Prince V. G. Madatov (4.3 thousand people), which led the attack onelizavetpol to stop the advance of the Persian forces towards Tiflis and lift the siege from Shushi.

Meanwhile in Bombak province Russian units that repulsed the raids of the Kurdish cavalry on Big Karaklis,August 9 started moving northBezobdal, and to 12th of August concentrated in the campJalal-Ogly . Meanwhile, the Kurdish detachments spread like a wide avalanche over the nearest area, destroying the villages and massacring the Armenian population.August 14 they attacked the german colonyYekaterinfeld , just 60 km from Tiflis, after a long battle they burned it and massacred almost all the inhabitants.

After a few weeks of silence,September 2 , the 3,000-strong Kurdish detachment of Gassan-aga crossed the Dzhilga River 10 km above Jalal-Ogly (modernStepanavan ) and attacked Armenian villages, destroying them and stealing cattle. Despite the intervention of Russian units and significant losses, the Kurds managed to steal 1,000 heads of cattle.

Subsequent attacks were carried out only by small detachments. By early September, the situation had changed in favor of Russia.

Counteroffensive of Russian troops

On September 3 (15), 1826, theShamkhor battle . Russian detachment under the commandV. G. Madatova defeated the 18,000th vanguard of the Iranian army, heading for Tiflis.

After the invasion of Karabakh in mid-July 1826, the 40,000-strong Iranian army of Abbas Mirza was detained by the siege of the Shusha fortress. The detachment of Madatov sent to meet the enemy (a combined detachment of Russian troops (4.3 thousand people, 12 guns) and local militia (2 thousand people)) met at dawn on September 3 (15) near Shamkhor a 20 thousandth Persian detachment, which fortified on right bank of Shamkhorka.

The battle order of the Iranian troops was built in the form of a crescent, curved towards the enemy, in the center of it was the infantry, and on the flanks - the irregular cavalry (ghulams).

G ulyam

Behind were guns and falconets. Madatov, despite the great superiority of the enemy in forces, attacked his positions on the move. With the support of artillery, the cavalry started a fight on the flanks, and the infantry with a bayonet attack broke through the center of the Iranian troops. The defeat of the confused enemy was completed by a cavalry attack of the Georgian and Tatar (Azerbaijani) militias. The Iranians lost 2 thousand killed, Madatov's detachment - 27 people.

The battle of Shamkhor did not last long and was not difficult. It ended in one swift blow. The resistance of the enemy was so weak that a brilliant victory, the defeat of five times the strongest enemy, cost the Russian troops only twenty-seven people who were out of order, while the losses of the enemy were enormous. According to the consciousness of the Persians themselves, they lost on this fatal day for them over two thousand people killed alone. The Shah's guard, who participated in the case, no longer existed - it almost completely fell under the blows of the Russian cavalry. The space from Shamkhor to Elizavetpol, for more than thirty miles, was strewn with enemy corpses. This was evidenced, by the way, by Paskevich himself, who, eight days later, was driving through the battlefield, and Paskevich cannot in any way be suspected of being addicted to Madatov or of wanting to exaggerate the significance of the Shamkhor victory.
The trophies of the battle were: one piece of English artillery, eleven falconets along with camels, and seventy-five prisoners.

On September 5 (15 (17) September Madatov's detachment liberated Elizavetpol. Abbas-Mirza was forced to lift the siege from Shusha and move towards the Russian troops.
On September 13 (25), the Separate Caucasian Corps under the command of General I.F. Paskevich under Elizavetpol defeated 50 thousand. Iranian army, having only 8 thousand soldiers and 24 guns.

After the defeat inShamkhor battle , the Persian detachments hastily retreated to Elisavetpol.Abbas Mirza, lifting the siege from Shushi , led his army to Elisavetpol.10 September a detachment arrived to help General MadatovPaskevich , who took command of the 8,000th Russian united detachment.

At dawn September 13 Russian troops, leaving the camp under the protection of two companies of the Kherson Grenadier Regiment, moved towards the Persians.


Russian troops were located in two lines. In the first line: on the right flank, two half-battalions of the 41st Jaeger Regiment were located, in the center - 12 guns of the Caucasian Grenadier Brigade, on the left flank - two half-battalions of the Shirvan Regiment. The right flank was covered by the Cossacks, and the left - by the Georgian and Tatar (Azerbaijani) cavalry. The second line consisted of: on the right flank - two semi-battalions of the 7th Carabinieri Regiment, in the center - a square of two carabinieri companies with two guns on the left - three semi-battalions of the Georgian Grenadier Regiment.

Abbas Mirza placed 18 guns in the center of the Persian troops. They were followed by three infantry lines (including fugitive lower ranks of the Russian army). On the flanks, 6 infantry battalions with cavalry.

At the beginning of the battle, an artillery duel ensued. The Persian infantry battalions, under the cover of artillery, stepped forward and, approaching the Russian troops, opened fire on two companies of the Georgian grenadier regiment. The Cossacks and Tatar (Azerbaijani) militias who were nearby were forced to retreat under enemy fire. However, on the way, the Persian infantry stumbled upon a ravine and was forced to stop, having also come under fire from the Russian infantry. Paskevich brought into battle a battalion of the Kherson Grenadier Regiment and the 2nd and 3rd squadrons of the Nizhny Novgorod dragoons. Soon, a fierce battle broke out on the left flank for the Persian flag, which was captured by the Russians during the battle. The Persians were forced to retreat, under the onslaught of Russian infantry battalions. On the right flank, the Persian cavalry tried to enter the rear of the Russian troops. Together with 6 infantry battalions, the Persian cavalry attacked the companies of the Kherson regiment and the Nizhny Novgorod dragoons. However, the Russians, supported by the 7th Carabinieri Regiment, attacked and the Persians retreated to the old fortifications. By evening, the field and nearby fortifications were completely taken by Russian troops. Russian losses were 46 killed and 249 wounded. 4 banners, a cannon and about 1 thousand prisoners were captured.

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 the Iranian side refused to receive the 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.