KATHMANDU: The expansion of states beyond boundaries hitherto demarcated on the basis of ethnic and linguistic criteria was one of the defining features of sixteenth- to seventeenth-century Europe. The primary inspiration for any state engaged in the exploration and acquisition of new territories, the establishment of colonies, and the gradual building of empires was economic interest.

Indeed, after conquering land, the conqueror also colonized the newly acquired territory by implementing new economic policies, such as the Muscovite economic policies in Siberia. At this point, the question is how Muscovite economic policy assisted Muscovy in consolidating its colonial rule in Siberia.

The objective of this study is to determine the features of Muscovite colonization in Siberia. In this article, I will explore the economic features of Muscovite colonization in Siberia by answering the question above, engaging with Valerie Kivelson’s writing “Claiming Siberia: Colonial Possession and Property Holding in the Seventeenth and Early Eighteenth Centuries” (Kivelson, 2007).

Note that, due to the limited scope of this paper, presenting all economic features of colonization in the Siberian case is very difficult; therefore, I will focus on the main features that Kivelson emphasizes in her writing.

I will proceed to write this paper by analyzing the economic features of Muscovite colonization in Siberia because economic motives were the primary reason for Muscovy’s invasion of Siberia. Indeed, after conquering Siberia, the Muscovites implemented economic programs for the indigenous people, new settlers, the Russian army, and administrative officers, which were their primary tools for consolidating Muscovite colonial rule in Siberia.

In this case, the Muscovites followed Strogannov’s example. Kivelson claims that Grigorii Anikievich Strogannov, who was the first Russian to receive an official award from the tsar for land in the border area of Siberia, particularly in the Urals, set an example for Muscovite appropriation of Siberian land (Kivelson, 2007).

After acquiring the land in the Urals, Strogannov built a garrison and collected arms, particularly cannons and guns, and appointed soldiers to defend it. Additionally, he cut wood and cleared fields. Moreover, with this wood, he made plows and built houses.

He invited people who were not officially registered or taxpayers to look for salt deposits and work as salt workers. He also granted land and exempted newcomers from taxes for ten years (Kivelson, 2007). Through these strategies, Strogannov attracted a considerable number of people who were very obedient to the state.

During the colonization of Siberia, Muscovites developed Strogannov’s strategies further. For instance, in 1592, Tsar Fedor Ivanovich issued an official order to build a new outpost at Pelym. After receiving that order, Prince Petr Gorchakov incorporated the local Voguls into the emperor’s service and sent them, along with Russian servicemen, to build the outpost at Pelym.

Those who worked to build the Pelym outpost received cash and grain, along with a tax exemption from the tsar. The tsar also allotted land to them around the fort. Moreover, the tsar assured them that he would protect them in all matters, particularly economic issues. However, Muscovites separated these new settlers from the Russians and instituted a separate economic policy for them (Kivelson, 2007).

By developing Strogannov’s strategies—particularly the policies above—Muscovy attracted a considerable number of obedient people who supported Muscovite colonization in Siberia, as in Strogannov’s time.

Furthermore, Muscovites implemented another policy: they recognized and incorporated the Siberian indigenous people. For the sake of Russian economic interests, Muscovites designated the local people as Iasak people. To collect tributes, Muscovites maintained good relations with these Iasak people.

Those who used land to cultivate grains had to pay tribute to the state, although the poor and the sick were exempt from taxes.  Muscovite tax collectors were meticulous during tribute collection because, after collecting tribute, officials asked the tribute-payers among the Iasak people whether they had been mistreated, insulted, or oppressed by the tax collectors, Kivelson claims (Kivelson, 2007).

This data shows that Muscovite tax collectors were responsible for treating taxpayers well, particularly the Iasak people. Apparently, the above policies encouraged the Iasak people to accept Muscovite rule in Siberia. Indeed, the cordial and careful behavior of Muscovite officials toward the Iasak people facilitated Muscovite colonization in Siberia.

Individual registration of the Iasak people is another important feature of Muscovite colonization policies in Siberia. In this case, Muscovites maintained registrar books, namely “Iasak books,” to record information about the Iasak people.

In these books, they documented all information about the taxpayers, such as the amount or type of tribute, economic and marital status, and the location of taxpayers (Kivelson, 2007).

These Iasak books were beneficial for establishing not only economic but also political control over Siberia because the Muscovites could easily reach people by referring to the data during times of crisis. Thus, they could effectively control everything, including maintaining the economic and political security of the Iasak people.

Additionally, Muscovites distributed land among Russian plowmen and trappers. Russian army and administrative officers were also awarded land. The settlement of these Russian officials and army officers facilitated Muscovite colonization in Siberia because those granted land sought to establish Muscovite control over Siberia for their own economic interests.

Finally, I would like to argue that the recognition of indigenous people as Iasak people for tax collection, the construction of fortifications to protect economic and political interests, individual registration, tax exemptions, land allocation to new settlers, and the maintenance of good relations with taxpayers are the main economic features of Muscovite colonization in Siberia.

However, these economic elements also had political importance because the primary aim of these policies was to establish political control over Siberia. Indeed, the above economic features or strategies supported Muscovite colonization of Siberia alongside their political strategies.