YA.D. Lazarev’s Caucasian Studies From the Archives of the Republic of Armenia

This study attempts to reconstruct a comprehensive and objective depiction of the Caucasian studies conducted by Colonel Ya.D. Lazarev of the Dagestan Infantry Regiment, drawing upon archival materials from the Republic of Armenia. Specifically, the focus is on Lazarev’s historical and literary essay titled “Revelation of age-old secrets for the history of the Eastern Caucasus before the 7th century or A brief critical look at the antiquities of Dagestan and Albania,” stored in the Archives of the Yeghishe Charents Museum of Literature and Art. Of particular interest is Lazarev’s personal collection, comprising 84 archival files, kept in the National Archive of Armenia (NAA). The methodological framework of this study adheres to the fundamental principles of historical science, including objectivity, scholarly nature, and source analysis of Lazarev’s Caucasian studies. Through this approach, we assess the information and data contained in the manuscripts under study in relation to various issues in the Caucasus history. Thus, the expansion of the source base arises not only from the unearthing of new archival documents but also from the identification of historical and literary works introduced into scholarly discourse. The study reveals that the author’s descriptions of historical events primarily stem from available sources and personal observations. Moreover, Lazarev’s collection of information holds significance as it reflects his direct involvement in 19th-century historical events, particularly military expeditions in the North Caucasus. Consequently, these insights enable the reconstruction of certain episodes of the Caucasus’s military-political history

Art · Art history · Counterpoint · Depiction · Literature · Political science · Politics · Revelation · Sociology · Eurasian Exchange Networks · History · History and Cultural Heritage · Law · Metallurgy and Cultural Artifacts