Ulus of the Dondokovs in Early Years of Viceroy Ubashi’s Reign

Abstract

Introduction. The article deals with the earliest years of the young Kalmyk Viceroy Ubashi’s reign. Goals. The paper attempts an analysis of the Dondukovs’ arrival in Kalmyk Steppe during the mentioned period. Results. In 1762, Empress Catherine II granted Princess Vera Dondukova and her family a permission to move back to their uluses (estates). But the January 1763 return of Vera Dondukova and her son Alexey destabilized the political situation in Kalmyk Khanate, which resulted from immediate rumors suggesting a soon handover of power to the former to be followed by changes in the ulus system proper. Many would recall how Noyon Donduk-Ombo had led the bulk of the Volga Kalmyks to Kuban somewhat thirty years before, and in those circumstances the imperial government had been forced to forgive him and formalize his actual position as Kalmyk ruler. In fact, the Khanate was facing another wave of feuds. This time the Russian government chose to identify problems before they arose, and sought — with entreaties and threats — to normalize the situation in Kalmyk uluses. This historical fact attests to that the 18th century was witnessing gradual changes in methods of imperial nationalities policies employed.