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Russia and the North Caucasus:
Evolution of the Relationship
RUSSIA’S INTEGRATION OF THE NORTH CAUCASUS
Russia’s absorption of the North Caucasus has been a long and tumultuous
endeavor.1
In this process the North Caucasus territories have undergone
numerous status changes and land transfers. One of the most diverse areas
of the world due to its kaleidoscope of ethnic groups, languages, cultures,
and territorial arrangements, the North Caucasus has been home to such
historical territorial formations as Caucasian Albania, Great Bulgaria,
the Khazar Khaganate, and the medieval kingdom of Alania. A series of
khanates, kingdoms, principalities, and other territories arose here, suc-
ceeded each other, and changed loyalties. These territories have evolved to
represent diverse histories, grievances, and aspirations that have often con-
flicted with each other. The contemporary Russian republics of Chechnya,
Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachaevo-Cherkessia, and
North Ossetia are relatively new territorial formations. Some of these
administrative units appeared on political maps only during the twentieth
century.
Territories in the North Caucasus have developed unique structural
arrangements, leading to major differences in social organization between
the mountainous and lowland areas of Chechnya, Dagestan, and Ingushetia.
While lowland societies have tended to consolidate around specific geo-
graphical boundaries, mountainous areas have traditionally organized in
numerous teips. Teips, or family clan structures of common descent, focus
