The Chechens and the Ingush in the Ottoman empire in the second half of the 19th century: the processes of emigration and re-emigration

Abstract

The mountain peoples of the North Caucasus were forced to relocate to the Ottoman Empire in the mid-19th century as a result of the Russian Empire's deliberate strategy. The High Porte was also highly interested in relocating the highlanders to its domain.The article examines the process of Chechen and Ingush return to their homeland from the Ottoman Empire. The author focuses on the difficulties encountered by the re-emigrants, describing the ways the highlanders resettled back home. In spite of the fact that resettlement flows continued throughout the 1860s. The active phase of Chechen and Ingush emigration took place in 1865.Statistical data shows that the process of Chechen and Ingush return to their homeland was not widespread because there were no organized activities on the part of the Ottoman and Russian empires. Overall, it was a rather piecemeal, chaotic and spontaneous process that lasted throughout the 19th century. Some highlanders still managed to return to their former places of residence; others were settled in remote regions of the Russian Empire. However, many were forbidden to return to their homeland. In addition, the position of the official authorities of the two countries was quite clear – their return was undesirable. Those who remained in the Ottoman Empire subsequently formed the basis of today's Vainakh diasporas in Turkey, Syria, and Jordan.The study is based on materials from the Russian archives