Irkutsk garrison at the end of XVII century: the issue of increasing of warriors’ staff

Abstract

The article examines Irkutsk garrison in 1690s. The research focuses on issues related to the increase in number of warriors. Since the end of 1680s number of military personnel in Irkutsk did not correspond to the tasks assigned to them by the government. The lack of people and weapons in the fortress, which was the center of a large district, threatened to lose the confidence of the indigenous people who paid tribute in furs (yasak), the latter lived under the constant threat of an attack by Mongol feudal lords. Irkutsk warriors asked to be transferred from foot Cossacks to cavalry in accordance with the nature of their service. The change in the staff of Irkutsk garrison took place in 2 stages. In 1690 it was increased from 120 to 200 people including 50 cavalrymen. Then in 1699 the number of warriors was brought to 300 people (including 150 cavalrymen) by transferring the warriors from the towns of Western Siberia to “eternal life” in Irkutsk. Moreover 100 Udinsk archers were in Irkutsk for one year soldiery. By 1699 the number of artillery and hand fire-weapons had grown significantly in the town’s arsenal. Possible reasons for changes that occurred at the end 1690s were the growth of Irkutsk as an administrative and economic center of Eastern Siberia and the accidents of confrontation with Dauria warriors during the riot in 1696.