“Treaties” in the Diplomatic Relations of the Russian State with the Nomads of the North of Central Asia in the 17th – Early 18th Century

This article examines the “treaties” that were either concluded or discussed by Russian diplomats who were sent to the headquarters of Turkic and Mongol-speaking nomads in northern Central Asia during the 17th and early 18th centuries, drawing on official documentation. The aim is to identify the individuals authorized to negotiate these “treaties” and to analyze their content. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the diplomatic culture of the Russian state during this period. The study specifically focuses on agreements that are expressly referred to as “treaties” (“dogovor”) in the source materials. It reveals that these “treaties” between the Russian state and northern Central Asian nomads were typically negotiated by Siberian servicemen. These diplomats, dispatched by Russian authorities on diplomatic missions, often lacked formal diplomatic rank. The “treaties” primarily addressed political issues, such as shert, yasak, amanat, the return of prisoners, and the cessation of raids, with some economic matters, particularly trade, occasionally included. In instances of confrontation, the “treaties” established a framework for peaceful relations between the parties involved. Importantly, these treaties were not formalized as independent acts and lacked ratification, reflecting the political goals of the Russian state and the comparatively low status of the nomads as negotiating counterparts, which led to simplified procedural requirements.