Polish 18th Century Siberian Exiles. Strategies of Survival/Life in Exile

Abstract

In line with the colonization of central Asian provinces of the Russian Empire, which started in the 16th century, also the Poles were sent as prisoners to these areas. The article relates to methods of survival in exile of representatives of the fi rst large group of Polish exiles – members of the Bar Confederation (1768–1772). Some chose to more or less spectacular escape, which often ended in tragedy. Others settled in and converted to Orthodoxy, denying the possibility of returning home. A large group of exiles were eventually forcibly incorporated into the tsarist army. As ordinary soldiers, deprived of state laws, the Poles have contributed not only to the further colonization of the Asian part of the Russian Empire, but also played an important role in regulating the internal affairs of Russia, including Emilian Pugachev rebellion damping (1773–1774). The source of the research is a diary of exiled member of the Bar Confederation – Karol Lubicz Chojecki, Pamięć dzieł polskich. Podróż i niepomyślny sukces Polaków, fi rst published in Warsaw in 1789, reprinted one year leater (1790) in Supraśl, titled: Polak konfederat przez Moskwę na Syberię zaprowadzony. Razem wiadomość o buncie Puchaczewa