Caucasian Ghazwat and Imam Shamil

Historically, the Caucasus has been an important region in geopolitical and geostrategic terms. These characteristics became a reason for occupation within the scope of Russian policy of expansionism that began in the Tzardom period. Beginning to penetrate the region in the 16th century, Russia followed a colonialist policy in the region through occupation attempts in the 18th century. In the face of these Russian occupation and assimilation attempts in the Caucasus, the local people of the region developed a great spirit of struggle to protect their independence, culture and belief. The struggle culminated under the leadership of Imam Shamil and maintained under the name of “Ghazwat” (holy wars) but it eventually weakened when Imam Shamil surrendered in 1859 due to military and political factors. Despite the struggles that continued until the first quarter of the 20th century, the desired result could not be reached, and the region came under Russian domination. However, the fact that this struggle has not ended is understood from the movements that begin in various times and places in the Russian-dominated North Caucasus. The present article attempted to address the Caucasian Ghazwat, Imam Shamil, and the geography, history, and the ethnic and religious structure of the Caucasus as the stage of this struggle