Uniforms of the Russian Army during the Caucasian War (19th century)

Abstract

The article deals the problems associated with the specific appearance of the troops of the Separate Caucasian Corps. It is noted that the military uniform played a significant role in the development in the Caucasian regiments of the spirit of corporatism, a special sense of unity. The uniform carried a special semantic load, it was a symbol of the individuality of the military unit. But the uniform and equipment of the Russian troops were not originally adapted for war in the Caucasus region. The determining factors for the essence and quality of the military suit and equipment of the Separate Caucasian Corps were the mountain-forest war, the mobile enemy, the climate and the disadvantages of the supply system. Violation of the charter was forced, it was caused by necessity. The concept of “Uniform” in the Caucasian units received a more than flexible interpretation. The image of a “Real Caucasian” was reflected in the memoirs of Russian officers.