Diplomatic mission of targu ambassador Tomulduq in Moscow in the context of the policy of the Russian state in the Northeastern Caucasus after the Time of Troubles

The article is dedicated to the establishment of friendly relationships between Russian state and Shamkhal of Tarki Gerey after the Russia's Time of Troubles and 50 years of military and political confrontation between tsars and shamkhals in the Northern Caucasus. The author analyses mutual intentions of Mikhail Romanov and Shamkhal Ger-ey, along with the historical significance of "shert" (ancient Turkic form of the oath of allegiance), delivered to the tsar from Shamkhal Gerey by his ambassador by the name of Tomulduk. Every party had their interests. Shamkhal was attracted by economical benefits (control of the bordering areas and generous compensations); for Russia, in its turn, it was important that Gerey wouldn't partake in hostile activities of any third party. Besides, Moscow was interested in Shamkhal's protection of Russian merchants and diplomats passing through his domains in the Kumyk lands to Persia and back. The article also covers the question of Shamkhalate's place in Russian-Persian relationships. In spite of the fact, that the "shert" expressed only an act of individual allegiance of one ruler to another, and did not mean the inclusion of the Shamkhalate of Tarki in the Russian state, the results of To-mulduk's mission were of a quite high significance, for it'd led to the renewal of the relationships and marked the start of the following relationship traditions between Russia and Shamkhalate of Tarki during entire 17 century.