Показано усиление внешнеполитической ориентации дагестанских правящих элит на Россию на конце XVIII в., раскрываются причины данного исторического явления. Как показало исследование, для дагестанских владетелей нахождение в союзнических отношениях с Российской империей было гораздо выгоднее, чем с Персией или Турцией. В то же время, привлекая дагестанских владетелей на свою сторону, российские власти укрепляли свои политические позиции в регионе.

The work aims to study the process of strengthening the foreign policy orientation of the Dagestani political elites in Russia in the late eighteenth century, to uncover the causes of this phenomenon. The basis for achieving this aim was archival documents and other published sources. The study shows that the defeat of Turkey in the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774 was the turning point in the foreign political orientation of the rulers of Dagestan in Russia's favor. It is established that the strengthening of Pro-Russian positions of Dagestani rulers was influenced by the accession of the Crimea and Kuban to Russia and the adoption of Georgia into the Russian citizenship. Feeling the powerful force of Russia, once it became known about the signing of the Treaty of Georgievsk, rulers of Dagestan testified their loyalty to Russia. The Shamkhal of Tarki, the Umma-Khan of Avaria, Andian elders and many others declared their desire to be in Russian citizenship. Intensification of Russian-Dagestani political ties resulted in the dissatisfaction of the Sultan. Turkey hopes laid on the uprising that began in Chechnya under the leadership of Sheikh Mansur. However, such prominent Dagestani figures as the Shamkhal of Tarki, the khans of Avaria and KaziKumukh did not join this movement, and replied with a categorical refusal. Russian authorities learned about this refusal of Dagestani rulers and were satisfied with it. Rejecting suggestions of Sheikh Mansur and, accordingly, High Porte patronizing him, the politicians of Dagestan actively sought citizenship of Russia. In 1784, the Shamkhalate of Tarki decided to formalize its accession to Russia. This example was followed by many others. During 1786-1787 almost all of Dagestani rulers resumed oaths of allegiance to Russia: Aksai, Kostek, Enderi lords, the Umma-Khan of Avaria, KaziKumukh and Kyurin khans, qadi Rustam of Tabasaran and other lords. As is known, Turkey, which began to prepare for war with Russia since 1787, using the active support of the Western powers, did not appreciate this. On 24 August 1787, it declared war on Russia. With the beginning of military actions, Selim III appealed to the peoples of the Caucasus to fight against Russia. Oddly enough, the sultan's appeals found no support in Dagestan. Moreover, the rulers of Dagestan delivered the firmans of the sultan in the original to the Caucasian commanders, assuring the Imperial power in its allegiance to Russia. In September 1789, the Shamkhal of Tarki and Ahmed-Khan of Derbent declared their loyalty and willingness to serve Russia to the Russian commanders. As evidenced by the sources, in 1791 a delegation of the Dagestani ruling elite including Zasulak princes, the Shamkhal of Tarki, the Khan of Derbent and others came to Petersburg to address the question of Russian citizenship. In the course of the study the author comes to a conclusion that Russia, repeatedly patronizing the peoples of Dagestan defended them during the threat of invasion by Shah Agha-Mohammad Khan. In turn, the rulers of Dagestan, realizing the serious consequences and ruin the Iranian ruler's campaign could cause, Russian troops provided effective assistance and support, which ultimately led to the Shah's refusal from the expedition against Dagestani peoples. The study showed that the departure of the Iranian army created favorable conditions for the annexation of Dagestan to the Russian Empire.