Salavat Yulaev

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„You are so far, my fatherland! I would return to native land, In shackles I am, Bashkirs! Ways are covered with snows to me, But in spring snows will thaw, I did not die, Bashkirs!“ These words written, probably, by Salavat Yulaev, are perceived today as a confession of the strong batyr, exhausted by tortures, interrogations, but not resigned himself to destiny. To a great regret, only small part of documents about his life and destiny, poetic works of Salavat who personified heroism and poetic talent of Bashkir people remained.

Salavat Yulaev was at the head of all revolted Bashkortostan from the very beginning of country war of 1773-1775. He was seized by imperial authorities on November, 24th, 1774, and his father Yulay Aznalin was seized even earlier. Put into irons they have been sent to Moscow. We shall note that Yulay Aznalin was on his abilities and position an outstanding person. He was votchinnik (holder of patrimonial estate), rich, clever and influential man. He was held in the general respect from Bashkirs and was a Bauermeister (district foreman). Local authorities gave credence to him; his fidelity to Russian government could not be doubted.

In 1768 the Orenburg governor prince Putyatin himself appointed Yulay as the foreman of the Bashkir command. But soon the merchant Tverdyshev, granted to collegiate asessory rank, bereaved Yulay Aznalin of his land to built Simsky plant and villages. The Bashkir land was bringing to ruin, that is why Yulay Aznalin and it nineteen years old son Salavat stood up under Yemelyan Pugachevs banners.

In ten months after Salavat capturing, in September, 1775, he and his father were publicly punished by lashes in those places where the largest battles with the governmental armies passed. In a month they both were pulled out nostrils, on their foreheads and faces brands were put. On October, 2nd, 1775 chained by hands and legs Salavat and Yulay on two carts under protection were sent to transportation for life to the Baltic fortress Rogervik (nowadays the city of Paldiski in Estonia). The transport with convicts passed Menzelinsk, Kazan, Nizhni Novgorod, Moscow, and on November, 14th they reached Tver. Then there was Novgorod, Pskov, and Revel and on November, 29th they reached up Rogervik.

The Baltic port Rogervik, was founded by Peter the Great. However by then, when in Rogervik participants of the Bashkir revolt turned out, the fortress was practically deserted. There was only a small garrison and small number of prisoners. Salavat and Yulay met here their brothers-in-arms on struggle: pugachev colonel I.S.Aristov, Colonel Kanzafar Usaev, others. Here Salavat Yulaev and his father had to live the rest of their lifes.

When Paul the First ascended the throne, the commandant of the fortress Langel submitted an inquiry about moving of the remained participants of Pugachev Revolt to Taganrog or to Irkutsk to a cloth factory. The resolution came from the Senate: „Mentioned convicts are subject of moving… For the villainies they are banished by the name imperial command, and it is ordered to keep them in this port with possible caution that they could not make runaway“. There was a special manifest from March, 17th, 1775 which was published by the late empress Ekaterina II. Of her will all participants of Pugachev revolt should be imprisoned for ever, and their names should „be betrayed to eternal oblivion, deep silence“. Under this manifest local authorities pursued everyone who pronounced the names of rebels.

The last documentary mention of Salavat Yulaev is dated 1800. Till this time he stayed in bondage for twenty five years: „To Estland provincial board from major Ditmar being at the Baltic invalid command. Being under my responsibility convicted slaves of 12 men which are in a safe state. Against the previous submitted register decreased: This month of 26-th date a convicted slave Salavat Yalaev died about what I have honour to report.“  Salavat died on a penal servitude on September, 26th, 1800.