The campaign of Ermak's squad to Siberia. Ermak's journey to Siberia

In 1582, the Stroganov merchants hired a detachment of Cossacks led by Ataman Ermak, who was to organize a military operation against the ruler of the Siberian Khanate - Khan Kuchum. The Cossacks successfully crossed the Ural Mountains and in several battles defeated the forces of Kuchum and captured the capital of the Khanate - the city of Kashlyk.

FUGITIVES

Having reached Yaik, the Cossacks began to decide the question: what to do next? It was clear that the Moscow government would not forgive them for the embassy they robbed on the Volga. After much debate, part of the detachment led by ataman Bogdan Borbosha remained in the Yaik area, and the remaining 540 people, including atamans Ivan Koltso, Nikita Pan, Matvey Meshcheryak, Yakov Mikhailov and Savva Boldyrya, decided to go with Ermak to the Urals. It was the end of August, the year 7089 (1581) was ending, and the Cossacks remembered it well.

As the Pogodinsky chronicler reports, from Yaik the Ermakovites moved to the upper reaches of the Irgiz, and from there they went to the Volga (see Pogodinsky, p. 130). Apparently, they traveled this route on horseback. Already on the Volga, the Cossacks moved into plows, hidden on one of the secret piers (possibly in the area of ​​the same Sosnovy Island), and moved up the river, “and from the Volga to the Kama River and up the Kamaya River” (Ibid.). Having reached the mouth of the river. Chusovoy, turned to Sylva (according to the Kungur Chronicle, this happened, as mentioned above, on September 26), where, obviously, they encountered the rearguard of Ablegirim and defeated him.

Echoes of these events were reflected later in the stories about the battles of the Ermakovites with the Voguls at the very beginning of their campaign in Siberia, which are read in the chronographic story “On the victory of the Siberian Tsar Kuchum at Besermensk ...”, in the Stroganov Chronicle, in the Likhachev edition of the Episov Chronicle, in the Buzunovsky chronicler, etc. The Cossacks met the onset of winter in a fortified camp on Sylva.

Shashkov A. Ermak’s Siberian campaign of 1581-1582: chronology of events

IN THE NAME OF THE STATE

When the Cossacks captured the “reigning city” of the Siberian Khanate and finally defeated Kuchum’s army, they had to think about the question of how to organize the administration of the conquered region.

The Cossacks made noise for a long time, having gathered in a circle to think. The passions did not subside for a long time. Finally, relying on God, the ataman ordered a military verdict to be written: to bring “the foreign-speaking people living there under the sovereign royal high hand” and bring all of them - Tatars, Ostyaks, and Vogulichs “to sherti according to their faiths on the fact that they would be under his with the royal high hand until the Russian land will stand forever,” “and not think any evil against any Russian people and stand in direct constancy in everything.”

Thus, the free partnership of the Cossacks approved the historic decision to annex Siberia to Russia.

Nothing prevented the Cossacks from establishing an order in Siberia that corresponded to the people’s age-old dream of freedom. Nobody reminded them of the royal treasury and yasak. And yet, Ermak began to rule the region in the sovereign’s name and imposed a royal tax on the local population - yasak. How to explain such an unexpected turn of events?

REASONS FOR THE ACCESSION OF SIBERIA

Khan Kuchum’s severance of tributary relations with Russia in 1571, the defeat of the military men of the governor A. Lychenitsyn in 1572, the increasing attacks on the Perm lands and the murder of the Russian envoy Chebukov by Mametkul in 1573 - all these factors prompted the Moscow government to extend to Western Siberia the same system of establishing central power that developed in the Urals. This system consisted in the fact that vast territories were given “for preferential years” to merchant-industrialists, who were, in particular, the Stroganovs. In the fact reported by the Stroganovs that Kuchum’s son Mametkul, during his attack, asked “where the army should go to Perm,” the Moscow government saw a real threat to its Perm possessions. In March 1574, Yakov and Grigory Stroganov were summoned to Alexandrovskaya Sloboda for personal explanations. On May 30 of the same year, they were given a charter for 20 preferential years, which allowed the conquest of Siberia: on the Tobol, Irtysh, Ob and other rivers, “where it is useful for taking care and we want to rest, make fortresses and keep guards with a stinky outfit.”

The Stroganovs, who had trade relations with Astrakhan, were undoubtedly aware of the events taking place on the Volga at that time; their connection with Ermak, ataman of the Volga Cossacks, is now beyond doubt. It seems to us that the opinion of a number of historians is hardly correct that a large Cossack squad, on their own initiative, could set off to conquer the Siberian lands precisely after the Stroganovs received a charter for these lands, and also force the Stroganovs to equip Ermak’s detachment.

COSSACKS IN SIBERIA

Already the number of Ermakov’s squad has decreased noticeably; in addition to those killed, many were wounded; many lost strength and vigor from incessant labor. That night the Atamans consulted with their comrades on what to do - and the voice of the weak was heard. “We have satisfied revenge,” they said: “it’s time to go back. Every new battle is dangerous for us: for soon there will be no one to win.” But the Atamans answered: “No, brothers: our path is only forward! The rivers are already covered with ice: turning our rear, we will freeze in the deep snow; and if we reach Rus', then with the stain of oathbreakers, promising to humble Kuchyum or with a generous death to atone for our guilt before the Sovereign. We have lived for a long time with a bad reputation: let us die with a good one! God gives victory to whomever He wants: often the weak pass over the strong, hallowed be His name!” The squad said: Amen! and with the first rays of the sun on October 23, she rushed to the notch, exclaiming: God is with us! The enemy rained arrows, taunted Kozakov, and in three places he himself broke the abatis and rushed into hand-to-hand combat, which was unprofitable for Ermakov’s small knights; sabers and spears acted: people fell on both sides; but the Cossacks, German and Lithuanian warriors stood more unanimously, like a strong wall - they managed to load the squeaks and thinned out the enemy crowds with rapid fire, driving them to the abatis. Ermak and Ivan Koltso courageously led the way, repeating a loud exclamation: God is with us! and blind Kuchyum, standing on the mountain with the Imans and his Mullahs, called out to Mohammed for the salvation of the faithful. To the happiness of the Russians, to the horror of the enemies, the wounded Mametkul had to leave the battle: the Murzas took him in a boat to the other side of the Irtysh, and the army without a leader despaired of victory: the Ostyatsky princes gave the rear; The Tatars also fled. Hearing that Christian banners were already flying at the abatis, Kuchyum sought safety in the Ishim steppes, having managed to take only part of his treasury in the Siberian capital. This main, bloodiest battle, in which 107 good Cossacks fell, who are still commemorated in the Tobolsk Cathedral Church, decided the dominance of Russia from the Kamenny Range to the Ob and Tobol.

ERMAK AND RUSSIAN FOLKLORE

The first Cossack “writing,” submitted by the Cossacks to Archbishop Cyprian, was, in essence, a work of folk, democratic literature. The “writing” was compiled based on the recollections of eyewitnesses of events that were still fresh in everyone’s memory, and therefore did not include legendary and song material about Ermak. One might think that by that time he almost didn’t even exist. However, the folk basis of this “writing” clearly appears in the very point of view of Ermak’s campaign, strikingly similar to the song coverage of events. Both the Cossack “writing” and the folk song portray Ermak as the only initiator of the campaign against Siberia, a folk hero, and idealize him. In folk poetry, Ermak turned into a hero fighting with Tsar Kalin and Baba Mamashina; he helps Grozny take Kazan. The force defeated by Ermak is so great that “after all, a gray wolf cannot gallop in a day, a black raven cannot fly in a day.” Ermak entered the epics of the Kyiv cycle, becoming, according to some versions, the nephew of Ilya Muromets. Robber songs later began to call him Stepan Razin’s brother:

Ermak Timofeevich will be the chieftain,
Yesaul to be his dear brother Stepanushka.

Ermak’s biography itself provided many subjects for bandit songs. For example, the motive of forgiving the robber’s wine is inspired by a corresponding episode from the biography of Ermak.

One of the most important stages in the formation of Russian statehood is the conquest of Siberia. The development of these lands took almost 400 years and during this time many events occurred. The first Russian conqueror of Siberia was Ermak.

Ermak Timofeevich

The exact surname of this person has not been established; it is likely that it did not exist at all - Ermak was of an ordinary family. Ermak Timofeevich was born in 1532; in those days, a patronymic or nickname was often used to name a common person. The exact origin of Ermak is not clear, but there is an assumption that he was a runaway peasant, distinguished by enormous physical strength. At first, Ermak was a chur among the Volga Cossacks - a laborer and squire.

In battle, the smart and brave young man quickly obtained weapons for himself, participated in battles, and thanks to his strength and organizational skills, a few years later he became an ataman. In 1581 he commanded a flotilla of Cossacks from the Volga; there are suggestions that he fought near Pskov and Novgorod. He is rightfully considered the founder of the first marine corps, which was then called the “plow army.” There are other historical versions about the origin of Ermak, but this one is the most popular among historians.

Some are of the opinion that Ermak was of a noble family of Turkic blood, but there are many contradictory points in this version. One thing is clear - Ermak Timofeevich was popular among the military until his death, because the position of ataman was selective. Today Ermak is a historical hero of Russia, whose main merit is the annexation of Siberian lands to the Russian state.

Idea and goals of the trip

Back in 1579, the Stroganov merchants invited the Cossacks of Ermak to their Perm region to protect the lands from the raids of the Siberian Khan Kuchum. In the second half of 1581, Ermak formed a detachment of 540 soldiers. For a long time, the prevailing opinion was that the Stroganovs were the ideologists of the campaign, but now they are more inclined to believe that this was the idea of ​​Ermak himself, and the merchants only financed this campaign. The goal was to find out what lands lie in the East, make friends with the local population and, if possible, defeat the khan and annex the lands under the hand of Tsar Ivan IV.

The great historian Karamzin called this detachment “a small gang of vagabonds.” Historians doubt that the campaign was organized with the approval of the central authorities. Most likely, this decision became a consensus between the authorities who wanted to acquire new lands, merchants who were concerned about safety from Tatar raids, and the Cossacks who dreamed of getting rich and showing off their prowess on the campaign only after the khan’s capital fell. At first, the tsar was against this campaign, about which he wrote an angry letter to the Stroganovs demanding the return of Ermak to guard the Perm lands.

Riddles of the hike: It is widely known that the Russians first penetrated into Siberia in quite ancient times. Most definitely, the Novgorodians walked along the White Sea to the Yugorsky Shar Strait and further beyond it, into the Kara Sea, back in the 9th century. The first chronicle evidence of such voyages dates back to 1032, which in Russian historiography is considered the beginning of the history of Siberia.

The core of the detachment was made up of Cossacks from the Don, led by glorious atamans: Koltso Ivan, Mikhailov Yakov, Pan Nikita, Meshcheryak Matvey. In addition to the Russians, the detachment included a number of Lithuanians, Germans and even Tatar soldiers. Cossacks are internationalists in modern terminology; nationality did not play a role for them. They accepted into their ranks everyone who was baptized into the Orthodox faith.

But discipline in the army was strict - the ataman demanded observance of all Orthodox holidays and fasts, and did not tolerate laxity and revelry. The army was accompanied by three priests and one defrocked monk. The future conquerors of Siberia boarded eighty plow boats and set sail to meet dangers and adventures.

Crossing the "Stone"

According to some sources, the detachment set out on September 1, 1581, but other historians insist that it was later. The Cossacks moved along the Chusovaya River to the Ural Mountains. At the Tagil Pass, the fighters themselves cut the road with an ax. It is the Cossack custom to drag ships along the ground at passes, but here this was impossible due to the large number of boulders that could not be removed from the path. Therefore, people had to carry plows up the slope. At the top of the pass, the Cossacks built Kokuy-gorod and spent the winter there. In the spring they rafted down the Tagil River.

Defeat of the Siberian Khanate

The “acquaintance” of Cossacks and local Tatars took place on the territory of what is now the Sverdlovsk region. The Cossacks were fired upon by their opponents, but repelled the impending attack of the Tatar cavalry with cannons and occupied the city of Chingi-tura in the present Tyumen region. In these places, the conquerors obtained jewelry and furs, and along the way took part in many battles.

• On 05.1582, at the mouth of the Tura, the Cossacks fought with the troops of six Tatar princes.
• 07.1585 – Battle of Tobol.
• July 21 - the battle of the Babasan yurts, where Ermak stopped a cavalry army of several thousand horsemen galloping towards him with volleys of his cannon.
• At Long Yar, the Tatars again fired at the Cossacks.
• August 14 - the battle of Karachin town, where the Cossacks captured the rich treasury of the Murza of Karachi.
• On November 4, Kuchum with an army of fifteen thousand organized an ambush near the Chuvash Cape, with him were mercenary squads of Voguls and Ostyaks. At the most crucial moment, it turned out that Kuchum’s best troops went on a raid on the city of Perm. The mercenaries fled during the battle, and Kuchum was forced to retreat to the steppe.
• 11.1582 Ermak occupied the capital of the Khanate - the city of Kashlyk.

Historians suggest that Kuchum was of Uzbek origin. It is known for sure that he established power in Siberia using extremely cruel methods. It is not surprising that after his defeat, local peoples (Khanty) brought gifts and fish to Ermak. As the documents say, Ermak Timofeevich greeted them with “kindness and greetings” and saw them off “with honor.” Having heard about the kindness of the Russian ataman, Tatars and other nationalities began to come to him with gifts.

Riddles of the hike: Ermak's campaign was not the first military campaign in Siberia. The very first information about the Russian military campaign in Siberia dates back to 1384, when the Novgorod detachment marched to Pechora, and further, on a northern campaign through the Urals, to the Ob.

Ermak promised to protect everyone from Kuchum and other enemies, imposing yasak on them - a mandatory tribute. The ataman took an oath from the leaders about taxes from their peoples - this was then called “wool”. After the oath, these nationalities were automatically considered subjects of the king and were not subject to any persecution. At the end of 1582, some of Ermak’s soldiers were ambushed on the lake and were completely exterminated. On February 23, 1583, the Cossacks responded to the khan, capturing his chief military leader.

Embassy in Moscow

Ermak in 1582 sent ambassadors to the king, headed by a confidant (I. Koltso). The ambassador's goal was to tell the sovereign about the complete defeat of the khan. Ivan the Terrible mercifully gave gifts to the messengers; among the gifts were two expensive chain mail for the chieftain. Following the Cossacks, Prince Bolkhovsky was sent with a squad of three hundred soldiers. The Stroganovs were ordered to select forty of the best people and join them to the squad - this procedure dragged on. The detachment reached Kashlyk in November 1584; the Cossacks did not know in advance about such a replenishment, so the necessary provisions were not prepared for the winter.

Conquest of the Voguls

In 1583, Ermak conquered Tatar villages in the Ob and Irtysh basins. The Tatars offered fierce resistance. Along the Tavda River, the Cossacks went to the land of the Vogulichs, extending the king’s power to the Sosva River. In the conquered town of Nazim, already in 1584, there was a rebellion in which all the Cossacks of Ataman N. Pan were slaughtered. In addition to the unconditional talent of a commander and strategist, Ermak acts as a subtle psychologist with an excellent understanding of people. Despite all the difficulties and difficulties of the campaign, not one of the atamans wavered, did not change their oath, and until their last breath they were Ermak’s faithful comrade-in-arms and friend.

The chronicles do not preserve the details of this battle. But, given the conditions and method of war used by the Siberian peoples, apparently, the Voguls built a fortification, which the Cossacks were forced to storm. From the Remezov Chronicle it is known that after this battle Ermak had 1060 people left. It turns out that the losses of the Cossacks amounted to about 600 people.

Takmak and Ermak in winter

Hungry Winter

The winter period of 1584-1585 turned out to be extremely cold, the frost was about minus 47°C, and winds constantly blew from the north. It was impossible to hunt in the forest because of the deep snow; wolves circled in huge packs near human dwellings. All the archers of Bolkhovsky, the first governor of Siberia from the famous princely family, died of hunger along with him. They did not have time to take part in the battles with the khan. The number of Cossacks of Ataman Ermak also decreased greatly. During this period, Ermak tried not to meet with the Tatars - he took care of the weakened fighters.

Riddles of the hike: Who needs land? Until now, none of the Russian historians have given a clear answer to a simple question: why Ermak began this campaign to the east, to the Siberian Khanate.

Revolt of the Murza of Karach

In the spring of 1585, one of the leaders who submitted to Ermak on the Ture River suddenly attacked the Cossacks I. Koltso and Y. Mikhailov. Almost all the Cossacks died, and the rebels in their former capital blocked the Russian army. 06/12/1585 Meshcheryak and his comrades made a bold foray and drove back the Tatar army, but the Russian losses were enormous. At this point, Ermak only had 50% of those who went on the hike with him survive. Of the five atamans, only two were alive - Ermak and Meshcheryak.

The death of Ermak and the end of the campaign

On the night of August 3, 1585, Ataman Ermak died with fifty soldiers on the Vagai River. The Tatars attacked the sleeping camp; only a few warriors survived this skirmish, who brought terrible news to Kashlyk. Witnesses to Ermak’s death claim that he was wounded in the neck, but continued to fight.

During the battle, the chieftain had to jump from one boat to another, but he was bleeding, and the royal chain mail was heavy - Ermak did not make the jump. It was impossible even for such a strong man to swim out in heavy armor - the wounded man drowned. Legend has it that a local fisherman found the body and brought it to the khan. For a month the Tatars shot arrows into the body of the defeated enemy, during which time no traces of decomposition were noticed. The surprised Tatars buried Ermak in a place of honor (in modern times this is the village of Baishevo), but behind the fence of the cemetery - he was not a Muslim.

After receiving the news of the death of their leader, the Cossacks gathered for a meeting, where it was decided to return to their native land - spending the winter in these places again would be like death. Under the leadership of Ataman M. Meshcheryak, on August 15, 1585, the remnants of the detachment moved in an organized manner along the Ob River to the west, home. The Tatars celebrated their victory; they did not yet know that the Russians would return in a year.

Results of the campaign

The expedition of Ermak Timofeevich established Russian power for two years. As often happened with pioneers, they paid with their lives for conquering new lands. The forces were unequal - several hundred pioneers against tens of thousands of opponents. But everything did not end with the death of Ermak and his warriors - other conquerors followed, and soon all of Siberia was a vassal of Moscow.

The conquest of Siberia often took place with “little blood”, and the personality of Ataman Ermak was overgrown with numerous legends. People composed songs about the brave hero, historians and writers wrote books, artists painted pictures, and directors made films. Ermak's military strategies and tactics were adopted by other commanders. The formation of the army, invented by the brave chieftain, was used hundreds of years later by another great commander - Alexander Suvorov.

His persistence in advancing through the territory of the Siberian Khanate is very, very reminiscent of the persistence of the doomed. Ermak simply walked along the rivers of an unfamiliar land, counting on chance and military success. According to the logic of things, the Cossacks should have laid down their heads during the campaign. But Ermak was lucky, he captured the capital of the Khanate and went down in history as a winner.

Conquest of Siberia by Ermak, painting by Surikov

Three hundred years after the events described, the Russian artist Vasily Surikov painted a painting. This is a truly monumental picture of the battle genre. The talented artist managed to convey how great the feat of the Cossacks and their chieftain was. Surikov’s painting shows one of the battles of a small detachment of Cossacks with the huge army of the khan.

The artist managed to describe everything in such a way that the viewer understands the outcome of the battle, although the battle has just begun. Christian banners with the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands flutter over the heads of the Russians. The battle is led by Ermak himself - he is at the head of his army and at first glance it is evident that he is a Russian commander of remarkable strength and great courage. The enemies are presented as an almost faceless mass, whose strength is undermined by fear of the alien Cossacks. Ermak Timofeevich is calm and confident, with the eternal gesture of a commander he directs his warriors forward.

The air is filled with gunpowder, it seems that shots are heard, flying arrows whistle. In the background there is hand-to-hand combat, and in the central part the troops raised an icon, turning to higher powers for help. In the distance you can see the Khan's stronghold - a little more and the Tatars' resistance will be broken. The atmosphere of the picture is imbued with a feeling of imminent victory - this became possible thanks to the great skill of the artist.

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His biographical data is unknown for certain, as are the circumstances of the campaign he led in Siberia. They serve as material for many mutually exclusive hypotheses, however, there are generally accepted facts of Ermak’s biography, and such moments of the Siberian campaign about which most researchers do not have fundamental differences. The history of Ermak’s Siberian campaign was studied by major pre-revolutionary scientists N.M. Karamzin, S.M. Soloviev, N.I. Kostomarov, S.F. Platonov. The main source on the history of the conquest of Siberia by Ermak is the Siberian Chronicles (Stroganovskaya, Esipovskaya, Pogodinskaya, Kungurskaya and some others), carefully studied in the works of G.F. Miller, P.I. Nebolsina, A.V. Oksenova, P.M. Golovacheva S.V. Bakhrushina, A.A. Vvedensky and other prominent scientists.

The question of the origin of Ermak is controversial. Some researchers derive Ermak from the Perm estates of the Stroganov salt industrialists, others from the Totemsky district. G.E. Katanaev assumed that in the early 80s. In the 16th century, three Ermacs operated simultaneously. However, these versions seem unreliable. At the same time, Ermak’s patronymic name is precisely known - Timofeevich, “Ermak” can be a nickname, abbreviation, or a distortion of such Christian names as Ermolai, Ermil, Eremey, etc., or maybe an independent pagan name.

Very little evidence of Ermak’s life before the Siberian Campaign has been preserved. Ermak was also credited with participating in the Livonian War, robbery and robbery of royal and merchant ships passing along the Volga, but no reliable evidence of this has survived either.

The beginning of Ermak’s campaign in Siberia is also the subject of numerous debates among historians, which is mainly centered around two dates – September 1, 1581 and 1582. Supporters of the start of the campaign in 1581 were S.V. Bakhrushin, A.I. Andreev, A.A. Vvedensky, in 1582 - N.I. Kostomarov, N.V. Shlyakov, G.E. Katanaev. The most reasonable date is considered to be September 1, 1581.

Scheme of Ermak's Siberian campaign. 1581 - 1585

A completely different point of view was expressed by V.I. Sergeev, according to whom Ermak set out on a campaign already in September 1578. First, he went down the river on plows. Kama, climbed its tributary river. Sylve, then returned and spent the winter near the mouth of the river. Chusovoy. Swimming along the river Sylve and wintering on the river. Chusovoy were a kind of training that gave the ataman the opportunity to unite and test the squad, to accustom it to actions in new, difficult conditions for the Cossacks.

Russian people tried to conquer Siberia long before Ermak. So in 1483 and 1499. Ivan III sent military expeditions there, but the harsh region remained unexplored. The territory of Siberia in the 16th century was vast, but sparsely populated. The main occupations of the population were cattle breeding, hunting, and fishing. Here and there along the river banks the first centers of agriculture appeared. The state with its center in Isker (Kashlyk - called differently in different sources) united several indigenous peoples of Siberia: Samoyeds, Ostyaks, Voguls, and all of them were under the rule of the “fragments” of the Golden Horde. Khan Kuchum, from the Sheybanid family, which went back to Genghis Khan himself, seized the Siberian throne in 1563 and set a course to oust the Russians from the Urals.

In the 60-70s. In the 16th century, merchants, industrialists and landowners the Stroganovs received possessions in the Urals from Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible, and they were also granted the right to hire military men in order to prevent raids by the Kuchum people. The Stroganovs invited a detachment of free Cossacks led by Ermak Timofeevich. In the late 70s - early 80s. In the 16th century, Cossacks climbed the Volga to the Kama, where they were met by the Stroganovs in Keredin (Orel-town). The number of Ermak's squad that arrived at the Stroganovs was 540 people.

Before setting out on a campaign, the Stroganovs supplied Ermak and his warriors with everything they needed, from gunpowder to flour. Stroganov stores were the basis of the material base of Ermak’s squad. The Stroganovs’ men were also dressed up for their march to the Cossack ataman. The squad was divided into five regiments led by elected esauls. The regiment was divided into hundreds, which in turn were divided into fifty and tens. The squad had regimental clerks, trumpeters, surnaches, timpani players and drummers. There were also three priests and a fugitive monk who performed the liturgical rites.

The strictest discipline reigned in Ermak's army. By his order, they ensured that no one “through fornication or other sinful deeds would incur the wrath of God,” and whoever violated this rule was imprisoned for three days “in prison.” In Ermak's squad, following the example of the Don Cossacks, severe punishments were imposed for disobedience to superiors and escape.

Having gone on a campaign, the Cossacks along the river. Chusova and Serebryanka covered the path to the Ural ridge, further from the river. Serebryanka to the river. Tagil walked through the mountains. Ermak's crossing of the Ural ridge was not easy. Each plow could lift up to 20 people with a load. Plows with a larger carrying capacity could not be used on small mountain rivers.

Ermak's offensive on the river. The tour forced Kuchum to gather his forces as much as possible. The chronicles do not give an exact answer to the question of the number of troops; they only report “a great number of the enemy.” A.A. Vvedensky wrote that the total number of subjects of the Siberian Khan was approximately 30,700 people. Having mobilized all the men capable of wearing, Kuchum could field more than 10-15 thousand soldiers. Thus, he had a multiple numerical superiority.

Simultaneously with the gathering of troops, Kuchum ordered to strengthen the capital of the Siberian Khanate, Isker. The main forces of the Kuchumov cavalry under the command of his nephew Tsarevich Mametkul were advanced to meet Ermak, whose flotilla by August 1582, and according to some researchers, no later than the summer of 1581, reached the confluence of the river. Tours in the river Tobol. An attempt to detain the Cossacks near the mouth of the river. The tour was not a success. Cossack plows entered the river. Tobol and began to descend along its course. Several times Ermak had to land on the shore and attack the Khucumlans. Then a major bloody battle took place near the Babasanovsky Yurts.

Fights on the river Tobol showed the advantages of Ermak’s tactics over the enemy’s tactics. The basis of these tactics were fire strikes and combat on foot. Volleys of Cossack arquebuses inflicted significant damage on the enemy. However, the importance of firearms should not be exaggerated. From the arquebus of the late 16th century it was possible to fire one shot in 2-3 minutes. The Kuchumlyans generally did not have firearms in their arsenal, but they were familiar with them. However, fighting on foot was Kuchum's weak point. Entering into battle with the crowd, in the absence of any combat formations, the Kukumovites suffered defeat after defeat, despite a significant superiority in manpower. Thus, Ermak’s successes were achieved by a combination of arquebus fire and hand-to-hand combat with the use of edged weapons.

After Ermak left the river. Tobol and began to climb up the river. Tavda, which, according to some researchers, was done with the aim of breaking away from the enemy, taking a breather, and finding allies before the decisive battle for Isker. Climbing up the river. Tavda approximately 150-200 versts, Ermak made a stop and returned to the river. Tobol. On the way to Isker, Messrs. were taken. Karachin and Atik. Having gained a foothold in the city of Karachin, Ermak found himself on the immediate approaches to the capital of the Siberian Khanate.

Before the assault on the capital, Ermak, according to chronicle sources, gathered a circle where the likely outcome of the upcoming battle was discussed. Supporters of the retreat pointed to the many Khucumlans and the small number of Russians, but Ermak’s opinion was the need to take Isker. He was firm in his decision and supported by many of his colleagues. In October 1582, Ermak began an assault on the fortifications of the Siberian capital. The first assault was a failure; around October 23, Ermak struck again, but the Kuchumites repulsed the assault and made a sortie that turned out to be disastrous for them. The battle under the walls of Isker once again showed the advantages of the Russians in hand-to-hand combat. The Khan's army was defeated, Kuchum fled from the capital. On October 26, 1582, Ermak and his retinue entered the city. The capture of Isker became the pinnacle of Ermak's successes. The indigenous Siberian peoples expressed their readiness for an alliance with the Russians.

After the capture of the capital of the Siberian Khanate, Ermak’s main opponent remained Tsarevich Mametkul, who, having good cavalry, carried out raids on small Cossack detachments, which constantly disturbed Ermak’s squad. In November-December 1582, the prince exterminated a detachment of Cossacks who went fishing. Ermak struck back, Mametkul fled, but three months later he reappeared in the vicinity of Isker. In February 1583, Ermak was informed that the prince’s camp was set up on the river. Vagai is 100 versts from the capital. The chieftain immediately sent Cossacks there, who attacked the army and captured the prince.

In the spring of 1583, the Cossacks made several campaigns along the Irtysh and its tributaries. The farthest was the hike to the mouth of the river. The Cossacks on plows reached the city of Nazim, a fortified town on the river. Ob, and they took him. The battle near Nazim was one of the bloodiest.

Losses in the battles forced Ermak to send messengers for reinforcements. As proof of the fruitfulness of his actions during the Siberian campaign, Ermak sent Ivan IV a captured prince and furs.

The winter and summer of 1584 passed without major battles. Kuchum did not show activity, since there was restlessness within the horde. Ermak took care of his army and waited for reinforcements. Reinforcements arrived in the fall of 1584. These were 500 warriors sent from Moscow under the command of governor S. Bolkhovsky, supplied with neither ammunition nor food. Ermak was put in a difficult position, because... had difficulty procuring the necessary supplies for his people. Famine began in Isker. People died, and S. Bolkhovsky himself died. The situation was somewhat improved by local residents who supplied the Cossacks with food from their reserves.

The chronicles do not give the exact number of losses of Ermak’s army, however, according to some sources, by the time the ataman died, 150 people remained in his squad. Ermak's position was complicated by the fact that in the spring of 1585 Isker was surrounded by enemy cavalry. However, the blockade was lifted thanks to Ermak's decisive blow to the enemy headquarters. The liquidation of Isker's encirclement became the last military feat of the Cossack chieftain. Ermak Timofeevich died in the waters of the river. Irtysh during a campaign against Kuchum’s army that appeared nearby on August 6, 1585.

To summarize, it should be noted that the tactics of Ermak’s squad were based on the rich military experience of the Cossacks, accumulated over many decades. Hand-to-hand combat, accurate shooting, strong defense, maneuverability of the squad, use of terrain are the most characteristic features of Russian military art of the 16th - 17th centuries. To this, of course, should be added the ability of Ataman Ermak to maintain strict discipline within the squad. These skills and tactical skills contributed to the greatest extent to the conquest of the rich Siberian expanses by Russian soldiers. After the death of Ermak, the governors in Siberia, as a rule, continued to adhere to his tactics.

The annexation of Siberia had enormous political and economic significance. Up until the 80s. In the 16th century, the “Siberian theme” was practically not touched upon in diplomatic documents. However, as Ivan IV received news of the results of Ermak’s campaign, it took a strong place in diplomatic documentation. Already by 1584, documents contain a detailed description of the relationship with the Siberian Khanate, including a summary of the main events - the military actions of Ataman Ermak’s squad against the army of Kuchum.

In the mid-80s. In the 16th century, colonization flows of the Russian peasantry gradually moved to explore the vast expanses of Siberia, and the Tyumen and Tobolsk forts, built in 1586 and 1587, were not only important strongholds for the fight against the Kuchumlyans, but also the basis of the first settlements of Russian farmers. The governors sent by the Russian tsars to the Siberian region, harsh in all respects, could not cope with the remnants of the horde and achieve the conquest of this fertile and politically important region for Russia. However, thanks to the military art of the Cossack ataman Ermak Timofeevich, already in the 90s. In the 16th century, Western Siberia was included in Russia.

Cossack ataman Ermak is the leader of the campaign that gave rise to the development of Siberia. A man whose valor and intelligence made it possible to defeat the Tatar army, which was overwhelming many times over.

The name of Ermak has remained for centuries, and he rightfully deserves to be considered the Conqueror of Siberia.

Ermak's first military successes

Ermak’s Siberian campaigns were preceded by his 20 years of service on the southern border with Russia. Participation in the Livonian War, where he became famous as a fearless Cossack, competent strategist and governor.

Thanks to his courage, Ermak enjoyed great authority among his brothers in arms. He was feared and respected by his enemies. There were even legends that he was a sorcerer and where there was not enough army, he deployed detachments of devils obedient to him.

But all previous exploits pale in comparison to Ermak’s merits on Siberian soil.

Ermak, leader of the “campaign to Siberia”

According to historical archives, the initiators of the “campaign against Siberia” were the Ural merchants Strogonovs.

Having suffered colossal financial losses from the constant raids of the troops of the Tatar Khan Kuchum, they decided: to gather a Cossack army, send it to liberate the lands from the power of the khan and install Ermak as the leader of this army.

The combat power of Ermak's Cossack army

The army of 1,650 Cossacks was equipped with the most modern weapons of that time: arquebuses, shotguns, arquebuses. Boats - plows - were prepared especially for moving around Siberia, where rivers were mainly used as transport routes. Each could accommodate about 20 people with all supplies and was equipped with cannons. What made the boat a real warship.

But firearms were far from the main advantage of the Cossack army. For example, reloading guns required several minutes, during which the enemy managed to get close and had to fight hand-to-hand. This is where the valor of the Russian soldiers and the strategic skills of their leader Ermak were required.

Discipline and organization of Ermak's troops

Strict discipline reigned in the army; robbery, drunkenness and violence were punishable by death.

The army was very clearly organized, divided into regiments, each headed by an experienced commander. Everyone immaculately obeyed Ermak’s orders.

The first battles for Siberian land

On September 1, 1581, the campaign began. Having crossed the Ural mountains, the Cossacks built Kokuy-gorod, an earthen fortification in which they spent the winter. During the winter there were only reconnaissance sorties.

In the spring, the boats were placed on the Tagil River and the army went to the Tura River, where the Siberian Khanate began. There the first attack was made on the Cossacks. Struga was fired from the shore by the troops of Khan Kuchum’s nephew, Mametkul.

The attack was unsuccessful; the enemy received a retaliatory strike from cannons, rifles, arquebuses, and bows. Subsequently, clashes with the Tatars ruling in those parts became constant. But in every battle, Ermak’s army won, liberating more and more lands from the power of Kuchum.

On the way to Isker - the capital of the Siberian Khanate

Conquering city after city, Ermak made his way to the capital of the Siberian Khanate - Isker. He encountered many ambushes on his way.

One day, the army, moving in boats, came across an obstacle; the river was blocked by lowered trees and rewound chains. And archers lined the banks, firing at the ships. It was impossible to move on. Once again, the situation was saved by Ermak’s ingenuity. The main army landed on the shore, only 200 Cossacks were sent to the obstacle, and effigies were planted in the empty seats in the boats. It was decided to attack at night.

The Strogs swam up to the barrier and began firing with all their guns at the enemy troops, to which they received serious rebuff. It was then that the Cossack army, which was in ambush, entered the battle. The Tatars were defeated, the barriers were removed.

The decisive battle in the conquest of Siberia - the Battle of Isker

Finally, one of the decisive battles in the conquest of Siberia took place. Ermak's army approached Isker. Almost the entire militia of Khan Kuchum hid behind the walls of the fortress. Several times the Cossacks tried to take the city, none of the attempts were successful. Until the khan made a serious mistake by sending his army to attack.

The Cossack army was significantly smaller than that of the Tatars. But Ermak organized the defense very competently. He lined up several rows of shooters. Having fired a salvo, one row retreated deeper into the formation to reload, freeing up the fire view of the others. Thanks to this, it was possible to conduct constant fire from rifles and arquebuses. Kuchum's army suffered colossal losses and began to scatter, never breaking through Ermak's defenses.

The first winters in “punished Siberia”

In Isker, large supplies of food awaited the commander, which was what Ermak’s army most needed before the upcoming winter. The conqueror of Siberia was not only an experienced warrior, but also a good diplomat. Having captured the capital of the Siberian Khanate, Ermak began to establish relationships with the Vogul and Ostyak princes. And he succeeded very well. Cossack detachments were also sent to subjugate small principalities throughout Western Siberia. But we could only dream of peacetime in Siberia.

The Cossacks were constantly raided by the remnants of Kuchum's army and his associates. Every attack was repulsed. However, the Cossacks suffered serious losses.

One of the important tasks of Ivan's foreign policy IV For a long time, Grozny was left with the development of vast spaces in the east. IN 1558 year, after the capture of Astrakhan and Kazan, the tsar granted a charter for the ownership of vast territories along the Tobolu River to the wealthy merchants Stroganov. Those, in turn, to 1579 year, they assembled a detachment numbering from 600 before 840 people to protect the borders of their possessions from the Vogulichs (modern Mansi) and Ostyaks (Khanty). The basis of the detachment were representatives of the free Cossacks, and Ataman Ermak Timofeevich was placed at its head. It is interesting that the detachment was formed without the knowledge of the royal authorities.

At first September 1581 year the entire army loaded onto 80 sailing and rowing ships - plows, ascending the tributaries of the Kama, reached the Tagil Pass in the Ural Mountains. From there, the ships had to be transported overland, overcoming rocky terrain and dense forest. According to eyewitnesses, the Cossacks independently cut down clearings, and built rollers from fallen trees, making it easier to drag heavy ships over rocky terrain. Where advancement was especially difficult, the Cossacks had to carry the ships on their own shoulders. Finally, by the onset of winter, the detachment founded Kokuy-gorod - an earthen fortification for a halt. Having survived the cold season, the Cossack army rafted down the Tagil River, and from there came to Tura.

By mid-spring, when the army found itself in the area of ​​the modern Sverdlovsk region, the first skirmishes with the Siberian peoples began. The first Murza defeated by Ermak’s army was Epancha. After this, the fame of a strong and formidable army influenced the minds of the local population so much that the small town of Changi-Tura surrendered without a fight, as soon as Ermak approached its walls. Later, Tyumen was founded on the site of this settlement.

4 October Khan Kuchum, having gathered an army in 15 thousand people, met a Cossack detachment at the Chuvash Cape not far from the confluence of the Irtysh and Tobol rivers. However, already during the battle, most of the troops who promised support to the khan abandoned him and fled. Kuchum himself had to flee the Ishim steppe.

IN 1582 year, 26 October(November 5), a detachment under the command of Ermak occupied the capital of the Siberian Khanate, the city of Kashlyk. Since then, the local population was obliged to pay tribute in valuable fur - yasak. Gradually, representatives of various Siberian villages began to bow to Ermak, asking for protection in exchange for obedience. Ermak supported such conditions, and took an oath from the tribal nobility that their people would pay yasak on time. These treaties made the Siberian peoples subjects of the Russian Tsar.

Despite the fact that during Ermak’s lifetime it was never possible to defeat Kuchum, after the death of the ataman, Russian troops defeated the khan. It was this event that became the point in the long process of annexing Siberia.