MILITARY-FORTRESS LINES OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN THE SOUTHERN URALS AT THE TURN OF THE XVIII-XIX CENTURIES

This article is devoted to one of the topical issues of Kazakhstan’s colonization by the Russian Empire. At the first stage of colonization, the northern region of Kazakhstan became Russia's interest. Military factor was the leading one in the implementation of colonial policy. At the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, military fortification lines were erected along the northwestern borders, additional regular troops and Cossacks were sentthere, and a part of the civilian population was relegated to the military-cossack ranks. It was a starting point for the further advancement of the empire in the east. As a result of military reforms and reorganization of troops, thegarrisons were significantly strengthened, and the defense capacity of fortresseswas increased. Orenburg authorities pursued a policy of disunion, separation of indigenous peoples of the Southern Urals: Kazakhs, Bashkirs, and Nogais. The disunion policy and social assimilation of the ruling clan by various means were carried out. The issue of transferring military lines deep into the steppes by the beginning of the 19th century was practically resolved.