Russo-Qajarian (Iran) rivalry in Transcaucasia (1779-1813)

Russian expansion in Caucasus from the end of the 18th century to the first quarter of the 19th century had created a historical process that requires struggle in many fronts. The pain of this process, shaped by war and diplomacy, is still felt today. In this period, we are faced facts that the hostilities created by the positions intended for the Russian occupation, have not been overcome yet. Russian Empire, who had entered permanently to the region during the reign of the Catherine II (1762-1796), had great struggle in the Caucasus. Natural conditions, traditional dominations of the Ottomans and Iran, the intricate politics of the feudal powers, and the rightful resistance of the Caucasian peoples, who ultimately resisted entering the Russian administration, were the factors that made this process very difficult. In this study, we researched the inclusion of the South Caucasus into Russian borders in the context of major events, and focused on how the process emerged with all its components. In accordance with this purpose, in Chapter I; was mentioned about the Russo-Qajarian rivalry that emerged in the South Caucasus in the late of the 18th century. In this chapter, we focused on primarily the questions of when and why Russians started to interest for the region, and which attempts they realized for this purpose. In addition, we evaluated that Russia's efforts to infiltrate the South Caucasus, especially through Georgia, and Russo-Qajarian conflict, which was arised for this reason, leaded to two major wars in the near future. In the Chapter II, we discussed Russian expansionism and consolidation of Russian borders in the South Caucasus in the beginning of the 19th century. The main topics in this chapter were annexation of Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti by Russia and aggressive politics of P. D. Tsitsianov, who was appointed as a General Governor of the region afterwards. In this period, Russians made a great effort to integrate Georgia into their borders, as well as increasing their initiatives on behalf of the internal and external security of this new Russian province. However, expansionist politics of Tsitsianov, which were realized through war and diplomacy in former territorial provinces of Iran, have become the main material of the war between Russia and Qajar states. In the Chapter III, we mentioned the main reasons of the Russo-Qajarian War 1804-1813, and the period from the beginning of the war to the death of Tsitsianov. This is the first period of the war, which occurred inevitably between the two sides. This period with no winner, however, represents a tumultuous period for Russians, at the same time provided them great experience in the South Caucasus adventure. This period, during which the war and his diplomacy were exercised extensively, ended with the tragic death of Tsitsianov. Finally, the last Chapter IV, we discussed the issue of consolidating Russian hegemony in the region between the Aras and Kura rivers. Russian expansionism in the South Caucasus, which entered a wobbling period after the death of Tsitsianov, continued distinctly, thanks to Russian troops, who focused on this region. In this period, the Qajar State, despite the political and military support of states such as France and Britain, could not obtain the results of any kind of warfare. They had to sign Treaty of Gulistan, which means that they had abandoned their rights on the South Caucasus. However, this agreement will also become the most important reason for the subsequent Russo-Qajarian War 1826-1828.